The Estate of Teddy Pendergrass Celebrates the 40th Anniversary of the Release of “Wake Up Everybody” by Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes with a petition drive to get Teddy in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The Estate of Teddy Pendergrass Celebrates the 40th Anniversary of the Release of “Wake Up Everybody” by Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes with a petition drive to get Teddy in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
(October 30, 2015) 40 years ago this November Wake up Everybody by Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes was released. It was the last album to include Teddy Pendergrass before he left the group for a successful solo career. Teddy was quoted in his book Truly Blessed as saying that the album’s title song Wake Up Everybody had a special meaning for him and that it was one of his favorite songs because when he sang it he felt as if I were singing it to his children. Wake Up Everybody was the Blue Notes’ highest charting album.” Teddy left Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes in 1976 and went on to international super stardom becoming the first male R&B singer to have five (5) consecutive platinum albums! Hits like Close the Door, Turn Off the Lights and Love TKO are still radio staples.
Often referred to as the Black Elvis because of his powerful voice, matching good looks and sex appeal, Teddy was the only artist to successfully sellout crowds of women for his For Ladies Only concerts from coast to coast.
Teddy was left a quadriplegic in 1982 as the result of a car accident but that didn't stop him from fighting back. He returned with the album Love Language in 1984, Joy in 1988 and Truly Blessed in 1990. Teddy would record a total of 8 albums after the accident including a live CD and a Christmas album. He showed unbelievable courage by performing on stage in a wheelchair for the first time at Live Aid in front of 100,000 people at JFK Stadium in Philadelphia and then starring in the Broadway musical "Your Arm's Too Short to Box with God" with singer Stephanie Mills.
In 2005 Teddy Pendergrass was inducted into The SCI Hall of Fame.-an organization created to celebrate and honor those individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the quality of life and advancements for individuals with spinal cord injuries. During his later years, Teddy continued to be an advocate for people with disabilities. He passed away in 2010 at the age of 59.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN THE PETITION
Help encourage the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to celebrate and recognize the remarkable and unsurpassed talent of one of the greatest singers the world has ever known!