Truly Blessed is an impressive book. I was really struck by Pendergrass' intelligence. Though he completed high school and college, that wasn't until he was in his 30s and 40s. But for his extraordinary singing talent, he is the kind of urban black man who would have been consigned to the lowest ranks of employment in our society. Yet, hidden behind the superficial characteristics people base such judgments on, was a fine mind all along. I also like Pendergrass' personality. He is a loner, almost obsessively independent. Much of the tension he experiences with needing around-the-clock assistance is those traits in direct conflict with forced dependence and lack of privacy. Furthermore, the Philly home boy, as they say in the vernacular, don't take no s---. Some of the most telling episodes in the autobiography are about Pendergrass rejecting patronization based on race and, later, disability.
Teddy Pendergrass maintains that he is still very much a man. Interviewers often allude to his role as a 'lover' in the past tense. He corrects them, saying he is still having erotic experiences. His concerts, which sell out despite high ticket prices, support his perspective. Women are still drawn to him. Nor does Pendergrass' flinch from expressing sexual desire in his post-paralysis songs. He is proof a person with a significant disability can still meet the expectations associated with being a successful man in American society, including the amorous interest of women.
From a miracle birth to an admirable recovery, Teddy Pendergrass is truly blessed.
What's the art?
A pensive Pendergrass.
Reasonably related
*A Teddy Pendergrass discography.
*Tom Moon of the Phildelphia Inquirer interviewed the singer in 2002.
*Among the women who fantasized about Teddy Pendergrass was a young Janet Jackson.
Note: This entry also appeared at Silver Rights.
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.