Teddy Pendergrass was a successful and renowned soul singer during the 1970s and 1980s. He rose to prominence as the lead vocalist of Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes before embarking on a solo career that included singles including “Close the Door,” “Love T.K.O.,” and “Turn Off the Lights.”
He was also noted for his captivating stage appearance and sex appeal, earning him the moniker “Black Elvis.” His life and career were turned upside down on March 18, 1982, when he was in a catastrophic car accident that left him paralyzed from the chest down. Here are some specifics about Teddy Pendergrass’s accident and rehabilitation.
The Cause and Circumstances of the Accident
Pendergrass was driving his Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit in Philadelphia after attending a basketball game on March 18, 1982. Tenika Watson, a female passenger he met at a nightclub earlier that evening, was riding with him.
Pendergrass was driving at a fast pace when he lost control of the car, which went off the road and crashed into a metal railing and a tree, according to Watson.
The crash was so powerful that it collapsed the roof of the automobile, trapping both Pendergrass and Watson inside.
It took nearly an hour for rescuers to extract them from the debris. Pendergrass was injured in several ways, including a fractured neck, a burst spleen, and a collapsed lung.
He was airlifted to a nearby hospital and underwent emergency surgery. Watson, a transsexual lady, was only slightly injured. She then stated that she and Pendergrass were just friends and that they were not romantically involved.
Teddy Pendergrass Cause Of Death
He died of colon cancer on Wednesday night, according to the Associated Press. Teddy Pendergrass, who died at the age of 59, is a topic of continual discussion among the general public.
10th Anniversary of Teddy Pendergrass’ death. Teddy Pendergrass, a talented singer and performer, a 70’s R&B pioneer, a Philadelphia soul sensation, and the survivor of a life-altering injury, in his own words.https://t.co/fnwxQlV9GH pic.twitter.com/ciore1qsEo
— TheSouthernViewMag (@TheSouthernView) January 13, 2020
Pendergrass underwent successful colon cancer surgery on June 5, 2009, and returned home to recover. He returned to the hospital a few weeks later with respiratory difficulties. On January 13, 2010, he died of respiratory failure at Bryn Mawr Hospital in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, with his wife Joan by his side.
Teddy Pendergrass Wife
Pendergrass married Karen Still, a former Philadanco dancer who had also performed in his shows, in June 1987. In 2002, they divorced. Teddy first met Joan in 2006, and they married in 2008.
He proposed to her after four months, and they married in a private ceremony supervised by his Pastor Alyn Waller, of Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church on Easter Sunday, March 23, 2008. On September 6, 2008, the couple married in Newport, Rhode Island, at the Ocean Cliff Resort.
Teddy’s tight bond with his children explains why they are concerned about a will that gives his assets and all future wages to his two-year-old wife.
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Conclusion
Teddy Pendergrass was a soul-lover who survived a tragic accident that changed his life forever. He faced many difficulties and obstacles, but he also showed remarkable courage and resilience.
He did not let his injury stop him from pursuing his passion and his purpose. He inspired millions of people with his music and his message, and he left a lasting legacy in the world of soul and R&B. He was a true survivor and a true star.
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