![]() The group's follow-up single, "If You Don't Know Me by Now," brought the group to the mainstream with the song reaching the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100, while also reaching number one on the soul no. The song, one of Gamble and Huff's most creative productions, became a major rhythm and blues hit and put the Blue Notes on the map. The song also featured Blue Notes member Lloyd Parks singing falsetto in the background and spotlighted Harold Melvin adding in a rap near the end of the song as Pendergrass kept singing, feigning tears. Pendergrass sings much of the song in a raspy baritone voice that would become his trademark. Noting how Pendergrass sounded like Dells lead singer Marvin Junior, Kenny Gamble decided to build the song with Pendergrass, who was only 21 at the time of the recording. The song was originally written for The Dells, but the group passed on it. In 1972, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes released their first single, a slow, solemn ballad entitled "I Miss You". That all changed when they landed a recording deal with Philadelphia International Records in 1971, thus beginning Pendergrass's successful collaboration with label founders Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff. Before Pendergrass joined the group, the Blue Notes had struggled to find success. However, during a performance, Pendergrass began singing along, and Melvin, impressed by his vocals, made him the lead singer. ![]() In 1970, he was spotted by the Blue Notes' founder, Harold Melvin (1939–1997), who convinced Pendergrass to play drums in the group. Pendergrass played drums for several local Philadelphia bands, eventually becoming the drummer of The Cadillacs. The recording, however, was not a commercial success. He dropped out in the 11th grade to enter the music business, recording his first song, "Angel With Muddy Feet". He attended Thomas Edison High School for Boys in North Philadelphia (now closed). Pendergrass also took up drums during this time and was a junior deacon of his church. ![]() He dreamed of being a pastor and got his wish when, at 10, he was ordained a minister (according to author Robert Ewell Greene). Pendergrass grew up in Philadelphia and often sang at church. When he was still very young, his father left the family Jesse was fatally stabbed on June 13, 1962. He was born Theodore DeReese Pendergrass on Sunday, March 26, 1950, at Thomas Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the only child of Jesse and Ida Geraldine (née Epps) Pendergrass. Pendergrass died from respiratory failure in January 2010. Pendergrass continued his successful solo career until announcing his retirement in 2007. Pendergrass' career was halted after a near-fatal car crash in March 1982 that left him paralyzed from the chest down. After leaving the group over monetary disputes in 1976, Pendergrass launched a successful solo career under the Philadelphia International label, releasing four consecutive platinum albums, then a record for an African-American R&B artist. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he initially rose to musical fame as the lead singer of Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes. ![]() Theodore DeReese "Teddy" Pendergrass (Ma– January 13, 2010) was an American singer.
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