Here we go again. Another famous person with a spinal cord injury I didn’t know about (err scratch that, enough of) until after their passing. First Vic Chestnutt, the bad ass Georgian quad who killed himself by overdosing on muscle relaxants on Christmas Day. And now Teddy Pendergrass, another bad ass quad (this time from South Carolina), who sadly passed away from complications from a surgery he underwent to treat colon cancer last year.
They were both accomplished musicians too, coincidentally enough. Vic became famous in the industry after his injury (he was a folk musician and songwriter), while Teddy was famous long before his injury. His legendary career as a singer in Melvin & The Blue Notes, a Philadelphia soul group from the 1970’s, launched him into international stardom. Sadly, in 1982 he broke his neck (C5-6) after crashing his Rolls Royce (crazy womanizer, he). He sang publicly sporadically after his injury, like at Live Aid in ‘85. But nothing as frequent before.
It’s sad, but I can’t blame him. Such a change in mobility on stage would be incredibly frustrating after so many years of experiencing the fluidity of walking. It’s funny, I’ve always known the song, If You Don’t Know Me By Now, but I didn’t put two and two together - that Teddy Pendergrass was that “black singer guy in that wheelchair I saw in New Mobility once” who also sang that song. I’m such an idiot. He was HUGE. It’s not everyday a R&B legend becomes paralyzed. More people should know about him.
After the accident, Teddy went on to found the Teddy Pendergrass Alliance, which helps people with spinal cord injuries receive education and find employment.
Goodbye Teddy. Your talent and spirit will never be forgotten. May you rest in Heaven, hopefully with that cool black cat from your picture.
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