Farewell: 2010's notable deaths

Soul Singer Teddy Pendergrass Dies at 59

The singer's son 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.

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 the Live Aid concert in 1985, performing from his wheelchair.

Pendergrass later founded the Teddy Pendergrass Alliance, an organization whose mission is encourage and help people with spinal chord injuries achieve their maximum potential in education, employment, housing, productivity and independence, according to its Web site.

Some of his great music:

close the door teddy pandergrass live
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54-9Jvq1Li4&NR=1

Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes - The Love I Lost
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2axbXDjYqA&feature=fvw

Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes "If You Don't Know Me By Now"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7Ni7LGXW7g&feature=related

Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes "WAKE UP EVERYBODY" 1975
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itUrjWNGnZQ&feature=related

R.I.P. Teddy