Although he wasn’t a member of a FUNK band, his raspy commanding voice was definitely FUNKY! Teddy Pendergrass made his transition recently, and many were saddened. More than feeling blue, I want to inspire everyone to remember the “Joy,” TP brought to so many!!!
“Come here woman,” he ordered on “Close the Door,” and said “You got you got you got what I need,” on “Only You.” Teddy put the UNGH in R&B from “Miss You” and “Bad Luck” with Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes to “Turn Off the Lights” and “Get Up Get Down Get FUNKY Get Loose,” as a solo act.
Teddy Pendergrass would give Female Only concerts. He’d have lollipops made up that read “Suck Teddy” on them, that he’d throw out to the audience, as women would throw their panties on the stage – That’s FUNKY! Teddy’s voice was reminiscent of James Brown, yet he had a style all his own. Teddy wore some FUNKY threads too!
Among his works, I believe his album “Life Is A Song Worth Singing,” is quintessential Teddy. It was actually one of the first two albums I ever bought. The other was “Headlights” by The Whispers. The title of the album, is a philosophy that he embraced even after his horrible car accident in 1982.
Prior to Teddy doing lead vocals w/ Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, he was a “(Funky) Drummer.”
