The goals the ambitious youth had set for himself had been more than achieved by 1982. Then, one evening he volunteered to take two women home from a nightclub. (One of them would turn out to be a transexual, causing Pendergrass embarrassment.) Before dropping off the second person, he lost control of his Rolls Royce. He awoke eight days later, attached to a device that held his body motionless so as not to aggravate his injuries. Teddy Pendergrass was paralyzed at the age of 32. Specifically, he is an incomplete 5-6 quadriplegic. That means his spine was severed near the fifth and sixth vertebraes. He has some, limited, sensation below the point of injury to his spinal cord. He can move his arms, but has little use of his hands. Sensation from his chest up is normal. However, a singer uses muscles in his back and diaphragm, as well as his vocal cords. Continuing his career would be a formidable challenge.
As is often the case when tragic events occur, Pendergrass found himself abandoned by many of the friends who had seemed to value him as his career peaked. Other people imposed on the newly handicapped singer. Charlatans offered magic cures. Preachers claimed they could heal him by the laying on of hands. Some folks badly misinterpreted how to treat him. One of the most humiliating incidents was at the hands of comedian Bill Cosby. The entertainer asked that Pendergrass be the presenter for him at an awards ceremony. The singer decided to venture out in public for the first time since his accident. He managed to temporarily overcome the shame he felt about being seen in a wheelchair. Then, at the ceremony, Bill Cosby walked onto the stage. He dropped a microphone into Pendergrass' lap and ordered him to sing. The singer died a thousand deaths emotionally. He managed to fumble the mic into his hands and said 'I've got it.' Pendergrass' family helped him off the stage.
Through experimentation, the singer eventually mastered the ability to 'paint' his vocals with a palate that focused on the remaining 'colors' instead of those that had been lost to paralysis. His post-accident voice is softer and he tires more easily. Pendergrass had been a master of phrasing and nuance before, but improved significantly after his accident. Because of a newfound concern about the costs of being a recording artist, he also learned to produce himself and developed his skills as a songwriter.
Article comments
1 - freddie pendergrass
Dear Teddy, the Pendergrass family in Greenville SC want very much to communicate with you. We are having a family reunion 8/31/07 - 9/2/07 in Greenville Sc. for details log onto Pendergrass Family. We are not trying to get anything from you we just want to fellowship and get to know all of the family better. Please contact me back.
[Personal contact info deleted] All Pendergrasses are related.
2 - Connie Morris-Moore
Dear Teddy,
How are you doing? I have not seen you since August 17, 2001; when you did the concerts in New York. I gots tickets for both of your shows; the Thursday nite show at the Beacon Theatre and the Friday nite show at Westbury Music Fair. I wrote you a letter and sent you a rose. I gave it to your daughter. Then I was informed that you said that I could meet you. And, I was granted the wonderful opportunity to meet you. I TOLD YOU THEM AND I AM TELLING YOU NOW, "I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!! I THINK OF YOU ALL THE TIME; AND I PRAY FOR YOU". I really think if I did not have your music to get me thorough life, I would not be where I am today. You helped me thorough the power of song! I LOVE YOU. Please keep in touch.
3 - Delores Lewis
Hello Teddy:
Just wanted to write you to find out more information about your foundation, and also to see if you could say a few words of encourgement to my brothers. Let me explain; My brother name is freddie and he will be 50 years old this year. He was shot 25 year ago at the age of 25. He has been paralized from the waist down for the last 25 years. He has always had help and it seemed like up until now he has coped with this situation pretty well. My 25 year old brother was his caregiver for the last 2 years and has helped freddie with life in the wheel chair. Well my second brother name is Roy, he is 26 years old now. Last year Roy was shot at age 25 and paralized from the waist down. This set the whole family back so far especially Freddie. What are the chances of having 2 brothers shot and put in a wheel chair after their 25th birthday. It actually killed my mother she died of a heart attack 4 months after Roy came home in the Wheel Chair. She could not take the stress of taking care of the both of them. Living your life is almost impossible without a wheel chair accessible home. I want to know if your foundation or any other organization will help my brothers with a handicapped accessible house. I need some help with getting them in and out of the house. Please write me back . I'm in Chicago looking to relocate to Tennesse.
4 - Deborah
Iwould like for you if possible to send my e-mail address to the lady name Deloris Lewis who sent in a e-mail to you on January 10th 2008 with the mention of her two brother both at the age of 25 get shot and paralized Iwould like to commicate with her if possible thank you Deborah
5 - Michael
Hi Teddy, I live in the Uk and would love to know if you will ever perform on stage again as I would come all the way over from England to see you. I hope you are well and your health is as it can be. I have loved your music from the very early days and I love it still, it is my lifes ambition to see you perform and I hope I am not too late. Kindest regards Michael
6 - Ray Ellis
Considering he's dead, it's doubtful he'll be performing anywhere.
7 - Michael
Where did you get this information from? All the sources i have seen tell me he's very much alive!
8 - CYNTHIA
JUST WANT TO KNOW HOW TEDDY PENTERGLASS DOING IN 2008.
9 - Lily
Hi Teddy, how is it going?
Just wondering if we'd ever see you perform The Power of One live in South Africa, you know the connection...!
10 - Lily
Ray Ellis - you need help as a matter of urgency. What makes you think you'd be the first to know that? Please..., we don't need this.
11 - gloria b fluker
Hello Teddy!
I have been trying to contact you.
It's been a lifetime ago.
Please contact me!
Glory B
12 - Michael Ludford
Please can you tell me if Teddy receives these messages? I've left notes before but i never have any replies! Sorry to be a pain but i would reallllly love to know how Teddy is.
Michael from the UK thank you.
13 - El Bicho
"Please can you tell me if Teddy receives these messages? I've left notes before but i never have any replies!"
You answered your own question.
14 - Michael Ludford
Love your name El Bicho! Seems a waste of a site if that's true what you say?
Any suggestions on how you can mail the man?
15 - El Bicho
Thanks, ML. i would suggest you google him and see if you can learn who his agent or manager is and contact them
16 - leah peadergrass
I love you.you are the one I have in
my life.LOVE YOU.
I didno't know you where
my uncle I LOVE YOU TEDDY
17 - loyal
would love to know how Mr Pendergrass is doing in
2008. Love your songs Sir.
18 - Lotus Gossip
:(. Poor Teddy.
19 - Pynki
I wondered what had happened to Teddy P.....he was every school girl's heart throb in the 1980's. A Truly Blessed man indeed. Have my condolences.