Teddy Pendergrass The Best Of Teddy Pendergrass 2LP

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Philadelphia International Records, Legacy releases brand new vinyl compilations from six classic PIR artists.

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Teddy Pendergrass initially rose to musical fame as the lead singer of Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes. After leaving the group in 1976, Pendergrass launched a successful solo career under the Philadelphia International label, releasing five consecutive platinum albums (a record at the time for an African-American R&B artist).

In 1977, Pendergrass released his self-titled album, which went platinum on the strength of the disco hit "I Don't Love You Anymore". Its follow-up single, "The Whole Town's Laughing At Me", became a top 20 R&B hit. Although not released as singles, the uptempo album tracks "You Can't Hide From Yourself" and "The More I Get, The More I Want" were also hits.

The debut album was quickly followed by Life Is A Song Worth Singing, in 1978. That album was even more successful with its singles "Only You" and the classic million selling number 1 R&B hit "Close The Door". The latter song firmly established Pendergrass as the top male sex symbol in music. The album's popularity was furthered by the disco hit "Get Up, Get Down, Get Funky, Get Loose" and the mid-tempo classic "When Somebody Loves You Back".

That double platinum number-one R&B triumph was followed up in 1979 by the album Teddy (which stayed at number 1 on the Billboard R&B chart for eight weeks and was named the second-biggest R&B album of the year). Hits off Teddy included the classics "Come Go With Me", the erotic ballad "Turn Off The Lights", and the uptempo album cut "Do Me".

Pendergrass took a more mellow approach on his 1980 album, TP. It included the classic number two R&B hit "Love TKO". Between 1977 and 1981, Pendergrass landed five consecutive platinum albums, which was a then record-setting number for a rhythm and blues artist. By early 1982, Pendergrass was perhaps the leading R&B male artist of his day, equaling the popularity of Marvin Gaye, and surpassing Barry White and all others in the R&B field.