R & B Singer Teddy Pendergrass Dies

He was no Michael Jackson but what Teddy Pendergrass's music represented to Black males of my era was everything that made a woman comply to our sexual needs. I know, in today's world this sounds chauvinist and possibly abusive, but believe me when I say there was nothing abusive to females in today's lyrics. On the contrary, the majority of Teddy's fan base were female. He just had a way of going from soothing crooner to sexual master in a lust-filled way. Sing it Teddy!

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So what was it that made Teddy Pendergrass a sex symbol among Black women? Maybe it was his strong commanding voice which in song told a woman what he wanted, how he wanted it and desperately needed it Now! One thing men knew not to do when slow dancing with a woman to a Teddy tune was sing-a-long. If you simply kept your trap shut and nestled your lips and nose strongly against her neck and ear, you Were Teddy. That done, you had a strong chance of Turning off her Lights later.

There were R & B singers like Barry White, Al Green, Marvin Gaye and others who sang with male strength and need in their voice, but Teddy had that unique quality that spoke directly to a woman's sexual desire, no need to tease. Call Teddy barbaric and abusive in his sound and style, maybe even primitive, but the effects of his voice on women was and still remains, "Yes Daddy!"

I think a female could better write about the melting effect Teddy had on them. I'm just an ole skool Gee who benefited from Teddy's voice playing in the background while I danced the role of a hungry lion ready to feast on her luscious body.

Thanks for it all Teddy.

Teddy Pendergrass
(March 26, 1950 – January 13, 2010)