Legendary R& B singer Teddy Pendergrass dies at 59

He was an international superstar and sex symbol. His career was at its apex and still climbing.

Friend and longtime collaborator Kenny Gamble,of the renowned production duo Gamble & Huff,teamed with Pendergrass on his biggest hits and recalled how the singer was even working on a movie.

Pendergrass left a remarkable imprint on the music world as he ushered in a new era in R&B with his fiery,sensual and forceful brand of soul and his ladies man image,burnished by his strikingly handsome looks.

He had about 10 platinum albums in a row,so he was a very,very successful recording artist and as a performing artist, Gamble said Thursday. He had a tremendous career ahead of him,and the accident sort of got in the way of many of those plans.

Pendergrass,who was born in Philadelphia in 1950,suffered a spinal cord injury in a 1982 car accident that left him paralysed from the waist down still able to sing but without his signature power. The image of the strong,virile lover was replaced with one that drew sympathy. But instead of becoming bitter or depressed,Pendergrass created a new identity that as a role model,Gamble said.

He never showed me that he was angry at all about his accident, Gamble said in a telephone interview with Associated Press. In fact,he was very courageous.

Pendergrass died on Wednesday in suburban Philadelphia,where he had been hospitalised for months.

The singers son,Teddy Pendergrass II,said his father underwent colon cancer surgery eight months ago and had a difficult recovery.

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