Soul singer Teddy Pendergrass dies in Pa. at 59

Soul singer Teddy Pendergrass dies in Pa. at 59

By PATRICK WALTERS, Associated Press Writer Patrick Walters, Associated Press Writer – 3 mins ago
PHILADELPHIA – Teddy Pendergrass, who became R&B's reigning sex symbol in the 1970s and '80s with his forceful, masculine voice and passionate love ballads and later became an inspirational figure after suffering a devastating car accident that left him paralyzed, died Wednesday at age 59.

The singer's son, Teddy Pendergrass II, said his father died at Bryn Mawr Hospital in suburban Philadelphia. The singer underwent colon cancer surgery eight months ago and had "a difficult recovery," his son said.

"To all his fans who loved his music, thank you," his son said. "He will live on through his music."

Pendergrass suffered a spinal cord injury and was paralyzed from the waist down in the 1982 car accident. He spent six months in a hospital but returned to recording the next year with the album "Love Language."

He returned to the stage at Live Aid in 1985, performing from his wheelchair.

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Associated Press Music Writer Nekesa Mumbi Moody contributed to this report from New York