LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION expressing sincerest sorrow upon the occasion of
the death of Teddy Pendergrass, legendary R&B singer, songwriter and
musician

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay
tribute to the memory of those dynamic musicians whose creative talents
have contributed to the entertainment and cultural enrichment of the
citizens of this great Empire State and the Nation as a whole; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is moved to pay tribute to the life and
accomplishments of Teddy Pendergrass, who died on Wednesday, January 13,
2010, at the age of 59; and
WHEREAS, Teddy Pendergrass has left a remarkable imprint on the music
world as he ushered in a new era in R&B with his fiery, sensual and
forceful brand of soul and his ladies' man image, burnished by his
strikingly handsome looks; and
WHEREAS, Born in Philadelphia in 1950, Teddy Pendergrass suffered a
spinal cord injury in a 1982 car accident that left him paralyzed from
the waist down; instead of becoming bitter or depressed, he triumphed
over his personal adversities and became an inspiration and role model
to many; and
WHEREAS, Before the accident, Teddy Pendergrass was one of the most
electric and successful figures in music; he established a new era of
R&B with an explosive, raw voice that symbolized masculinity, passion
and the joys and sorrow of romance in songs such as "Close the Door,"
"It Don't Hurt Now," "Love T.K.O." and other hits that have since become
classics; and
WHEREAS, This international superstar and sex symbol worked with good
friend and longtime collaborator Kenny Gamble of the renowned production
duo Gamble & Huff; Teddy was both a very successful recording artist and
performing artist who had approximately 10 consecutive platinum albums;
and
WHEREAS, A one of a kind artist who boasted a powerful voice coupled
with great magnetism, Teddy Pendergrass was an outstanding baritone
singer who had a real smooth sound and also a real rough sound when he
wanted to exert power in his voice; and
WHEREAS, In addition to his beautiful singing voice, Teddy Pendergrass
was an outstanding drummer; he met Harold Melvin, who was looking for
replacement members for his group, the Blue Notes; subsequently, he
signed on with him as the band's drummer; he later became the lead sing-
er of the group, which became known as Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes;
and
WHEREAS, The band started working with Gamble and Leon Huff and had
signature hits in the early 1970s with "Wake Up Everybody" and "If You
Don't Know Me by Now"; after a time, Teddy Pendergrass went on to pursue
his solo career; and
WHEREAS, After spending six months recovery in the hospital after his
accident, Teddy Pendergrass returned the following year to recording his
album "Love Language"; and
WHEREAS, He continued to sing and record several albums, some of which
received Grammy nominations; perhaps his best-known hit was the inspira-
tional song "Life is a Song Worth Singing"; and
WHEREAS, It was 19 years before Teddy Pendergrass resumed performing
at his own concerts; he made his return on Memorial Day weekend in 2001,
with two sold-out shows in Atlantic City, New Jersey; and
WHEREAS, Teddy Pendergrass also gave much of his time and talents to
charitable work for people with spinal cord injuries and founded the
Teddy Pendergrass Alliance, instilling in them that despite their pain,

they should remain focused on the positive and strong in the face of
challenges; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and admired by many friends
and adoring fans, his life was a portrait of musical excellence, a lega-
cy which will long endure the passage of time and will remain as a
comforting memory to all those he touched and inspired with his music;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
express sincerest sorrow upon the occasion of the death of Teddy Pender-
grass, legendary R&B singer, songwriter and musician; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Teddy Pendergrass.