05/29/2025
Tragedy of "Teddy "(Theodore) 🧸 Pendergrass .
1950 - 2010 was his life span.
One of my favorite male singers.
Why do l have a fascination with the deceased? Because,"Teddy 🧸" became paralyzed. Older relatives l was closer emotionally with during the years of my youth, were losing their normal abilities. Those people became paralyzed and/ or deaf. Some lost eyesight. This is not a completely sad story. Okay. Teddy achieved a great deal. One of the reasons I appreciated Teddy moving forward because , deep down he did not wish to do so. It took a lot of prayers. I mean decades worth of prayers . It forced him to trust God.
His brief story:
Teddy 's mom was much older by the time of his birth. She had already been married for over a decade. Teddy 's dad was not a stable father . He went off on his own and was eventually stabbed to death. Teddy cried at his funeral because his mother was so sad. Teddy had no personal feelings for a dad he did not know of. A few years later, Teddy began "hanging out." He did things his older mother knew nothing about as she struggled living as a single parent. She placed her mind elsewhere? Once Teddy was arrested because he was mistaken as a criminal. Teddy did not defend himself. It was during the segregation period. Once out of jail, Teddy quit high school. He received a GED after being paralyzed. During his late teens, Teddy 🧸 made efforts to find a musical band . He wished to play the drums for any group that felt he was worth it. He needed cash. He wanted his mom nurtured by him. He ,too, was tired of the struggles of life. Teddy came across a group but it was not successful. Beginning in the 1970s, he ran into an older male named , Harold Melvin. Melvin was not successful either. Melvin had worked with many other men singers. They were walking in and out of his group since the 50s. Teddy suggested he could play drums for their group. Melvin heard his voice and stated, "you can become our lead singer"! Melvin recognized true talent. Teddy toured with Melvin's group. One of the most visited places was the " Soul Train" dance T.V. show. Teddy instantly raised the bar for the group. All women loved hearing Teddy. Teddy worked extremely hard. He often sweated singing. Teddy felt he needed a raise. Teddy wished to discuss placing his name on the group's label. But, Melvin had his own name on the group 's label. He is the founder of that group. Teddy could not accept this. Because , Melvin was a
(background singer) and handled finances. Melvin portioned monies out in measly amounts. Melvin kept the majority of their funds earned. During this time, Teddy Pendergrass was beginning to become a pholandthopher. He was seeing 2 women at the same time. Romancing them only. Teddy made a comment, "these women knew he was not intending to stick around as he was developing a career of singing and traveling." Evidentially, he was not believed? Because one woman had 2 girls and the other had a boy. All 3 children were born in the same year. It was 1974. Teddy was only 24 years old.
This stress pushed Teddy to become more in need. Teddy scorned Melvin inside of a motel room after a performance. He waited until both of them would have alone time . Melvin felt Teddy did need a raise and quickly handed over $ 100.00. Inside Teddy's mind ,$100 was nothing! But in today's ...time ,it is $ 500.00. Teddy told the other members he was leaving their group. The others agreed as Melvin rented a dump for them to rest inside of. Others members gradually walked away too. Melvin was stuck. Never made a big hit song again. Teddy was free but unemployed . Teddy searched for loans and contracts. He found a woman around the year of 1976. However , Teddy dated her too. Some people state for finances only. Teddy felt it was a girlfriend - boyfriend situation that could develop? The woman wished to become Teddy's manager. Teddy did not disagree. She was a millionaire? However, this older woman had a contract that would allow her to earn 10 percent of Teddy's earnings as long as he made records. This was unfair, he was only looking for a start. Teddy then declined dating this woman any further as she was too harsh. She was only about business or mixing pleasure with business? Teddy resented her. He would only speak with her over the telephone 📞 lines. He suggested she end their contract. She stated , " no". This woman was killed a year later in 1977. People felt Teddy killed her? He claimed he was touring. He was on a bus on the night of her death. Teddy ,eventually, found a way and made himself a super ✨. It was from the years of 1977- 1982. He was at his height of success. Almost the whole world knew Teddy was a sexy soul singer. He had " all women " concerts . This meant , leaving their men " home" and this was for all women wanting to hear Teddy sing his famous love songs. Women needed to purchase tickets without their mates included. Understand? This caused jealousy. Teddy used his money making purchases of horses, cars , and motorcycles. He went back to his birth state to reside. In the meantime, Teddy dated more than before. He even asked out Marvin Gaye's ex-wife. Marvin was in the running with Teddy as being the (best sexy soul singer). Teddy was scorned by Marvin. Teddy went on to casually date married and divorced women. This was an issue . Teddy felt he had rights to walk out on any situation he resented or bored with? Women did not like that part of Teddy's personality.
Teddy also casually did drugs but never became an addict. I assume it was Re**er? Some claimed , it was "Co***ne".
I can't see a person not addicted to Co***ne after the first hit. I think this is an opinion of the people claiming to know him personally.
During March of 1982, Teddy did not use bodyguards or ... Chauffeurs. He drove himself around his hometown . He was a fast driver always getting pulled over by police officers. Teddy drove across a winding cliff and could not stop his fancy car. This difficult situation caused him to rent a car. But this car too crashed with him inside it .He was critically wounded. This second wreck, the next week, paralyzed Teddy for life. We don't know if this was a revenge plot ? Teddy felt the police was hard on him - thinking he was too flashy? Teddy sued and won $ 500,000 from the rental car company. As it was discovered , his car in the garage had its brakes cut. Plus, the rental car driven and had a wreck with , brakes was cut. Again ,Teddy ,felt the police wanted the car to spin out of control as to state , "he drove too fast"? Police were spotted looking at his car while it was parked. This was before (both) accidents. Who knows now?
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All this is discussed as opinions until proven facts. Teddy is deceased now. He claimed, he proved police "set him up". It has nothing to do with Melvin or other women? Teddy learned to pray to God and made many Christian songs thereafter.
Minelli Radney
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