Over the Past Several Months I have been Featuring 11 Different Soul Singers in my "Who's The Greatest Soul Singer" Poll, there has been 335 Votes so Far, and if you are Not One of them Voter's, Please Vote Now! (over to your Right).
The Eleven Soul Singers are as Follows (Written in Order of the Poll, Top to Bottom), Press the Name's to see their Individual Post's I have Written on them, including Bio's and their Best Tracks:
In this Series of Posts, I will writing about the Artist's who are in My "Greatest Ever Soul Singer of All-Time" Poll.
The Poll is over to the Right of the Blog, it has been Running for a Couple of Weeks now, so if You haven't already Voted, Please do so!
In these Post's, I will write a few Facts, Figures, Stats and Interesting Stuff on the Artist in Question, I will also include a Playlist of their 20 Greatest Songs.
I will Write a Post on each Artist in Order of "Top to Bottom" of the Poll!
ARTIST NUMBER 4..............TEDDY PENDERGRASS
Born "Theodore DeReese Pendergrass" on March 26th 1950, Teddy Pendergrass was a Singer/ Song-Writer who could also Play the Guitar, Drums and Piano.
The Album went "Platinum" & Reached the Following Chart Positions in the US, Pop Chart Number 17 & US R&B Chart Number 6.
In fact TP First 4 Album's (between 1977 and 1980) All Achieved "Platinum" Status!
His Highest Ever Placed Album was His 3rd Release "Teddy" Reaching Number 5 on US Pop Chart and Number 1 on the US R&B Chart!
By the Early 80's the US Media were Calling "TP" the "Black Elvis" and He was one of "The Hottest Properties" in the US!
This was all to Change, when on March 18th 1982, TP was involved in a "Car Accident" the Brakes on His "Rolls Royce" Failed and he Hit the Guard Rail in the middle of the Road and crossed the Opposite Traffic Lane and Hit 2 Trees!
Teddy Pendergrass Suffered Severe "Spinal Cord Injuries" Leaving Him Paralysed from the Waist Down!
It was 2 Years (in 1984) before He Released His Next "Brand New" Studio Album, it was Called "Love Language" which incidentally Contained a Track called "Hold On "which Featured a "New Female Singer" by the Name of "Whitney Houston"
His First Live Performance after the Accident was on 13th July 1985 at the US version of "Live Aid" this was Performed in Philadelphia.
TP made a Total of 6 more Album's after His Accident!
He Finally Retired from the Music Business in 2006, after this time there were Plans to Make a Film of His Life and He Set Up a Charity for Paralysed Victims, which He Worked "Tirelessly" for!
Tragedy was to Strike a few Years later in 2009, when "TP" was Struck Down with Colon Cancer, which was Successfully Operated on, in June of that Year.
But by a Couple of Month's later in 2009 "TP" was back in Hospital with "Respiratory Problems" and Sadly 7 Months Later on 13th January 2010, he was to Die of "Respiratory Failure" He was Aged 59.
Teddy Pendergrass Full Solo Discography is as Follows:
14 Studio Album's 2 Live Album's 9 Compilation Album's 36 Single's
Checkout the Great Singles Teddy Pendergrass Recorded!
Here's the 139th Mix selection for F.S.V.B, Its been Submitted to the Website "6 Million Steps", by Alan Champ, Its from a Series of 5 Mixes, Featuring Music from the Great Record Label "Philadelphia International" its called "6MS Philly Mix-3" I will be Featuring All the Mixes over the Next Month, there's some Classic Philly Tracks on here, including some Teddy Pendergrass, Jean Carne, O'Jays, M.F.S.B, Jerry Butler, Archie Bell & the Drells, and Dexter Wansel!
Press play button below, check Full playlist here!
In this Series of Posts, I will writing about a Particular Classic Soul/Funk Album from the 60's 70's and 80's
The one's that stand out in my Mind, as The Best Soul/Funk/Jazz/R&B Albums ever Released. All of them, I purchased on Vinyl many Years ago and also now have them on CD or Digital Download today.
You may have a Differing view (as we all do) on these Choices, but these are my Favorites!
It was Entitled "Teddy Pendergrass" and Produced by Various Producer's (see Below), it was Certified a Platinum Seller, as were all of His First Four Album's!
Personnel: Bass – James Williams, Michael "Sugar Bear" Foreman
Congas, Bongos – Larry Washington
Drums – Charles Collins, Karl Chambers, Keith Benson
Guitar – Dennis Harris, Roland Chambers
Keyboards – Dexter Wansel, Ron Kersey, Victor Carstarphen
Strings, Horns – MFSB
Producer's – Kenneth Gamble & Leon Huff (tracks: A1, A3, A4, B1), John Whitehead, Gene McFadden (tracks: A2, B3, B4), Sherman Marshall (tracks: B2), Victor Carstarphen (tracks: A2, B3, B4)
The Album Reached Number 17 on the US Billboard Chart and Number 5 in the US R&B Chart.
There were 3 Singles Released:
I Don't Love You Anymore...Reaching Number 41 in US Pop Chart and Number 5 In US R&B Chart,
The Whole Towns Laughing At Me...Reaching Number 16 in US R&B Chart,
You Cant Hide From Yourself... Reaching Number 7 in US Dance Chart.
This is a Great Album, not A Dud Track on it, I could not choose a Favorite Track, but I suppose the Track I have Played More than any other over the Year's is "The Whole Towns Laughing at Me" I Remember a Few Year's Ago, if me and the Wife were Having Problems, I always played Her Track B1!
Also Easy Easy was a Great Track!
Teddy Pendergrass was Born in Philadelphia in 1950, he Began as a Drummer in 1968, before Signing for Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes in 1969!
In 1971 he Signed a Deal at Philadelphia International Records in 1971, He had his First Hit (with Harold Melvin) in 1972, a Great Track called "I Miss You"
After Disagreements with Harold Melvin about Monies He left the Band to go Solo in October 1975.
Teddy Pendergrass Started Work on His Debut Solo Album in 1976. with a Release the Following Year.
His Road Accident, that Left Him Paralyzed from the Neck Down Happened in 1982.
He Passed Away from Breathing Problems a few Months after He had Beaten Colon Cancer, just over 2 Years ago in 2010.
Here's a Great performance of "Bad Luck" with Harold Melvin and a "Soul Train Interview" with Richard Pryor.
Checkout all of Teddy Pendergrass Albums with Downloads
Play the Album!
Check out this Great Documentary for a Real Insight into Teddy Pendergrass's Life, before & after the Accident!
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