The Passing of a Legend

A memory by Sylvia Rhue

If you were lucky enough to be alive and in love in the 70's you had the soulful songs of Teddy Pendergrass in your head and heart as  sweet background music to your life. I remember being in love with a woman who sang along to "Turn Off the Lights" and 40 years later it still blows my mind. Such was the power of the silken baritone of Teddy Pendergrass. I saw him live in concert and observed the effect he had on his audience. Sexual orientation did not matter. His "baby-making' music appealed to everyone. He combined raw sensual power with exquisite and exciting tenderness rarely seen or experienced today.

Teddy passed away at age 59 from colon cancer. His music and legacy will never pass from our memories. He became paralyzed after a tragic car accident 28 years ago that left him paralyzed. A life TKO. His passenger that fateful night was a transsexual named Tenika Watson, formerly John Watson. This is a footnote in his life and we don't know the footsteps that led to that meeting and subsequent car ride. What we do know is that Teddy became a spokesperson for people with spinal cord injuries and was never publicly bitter about this turn in his life. He was still productive, innovative and unforgettable.

Teddy, we will miss you. We will never forget you.