The song was originally written for The Dells, but the group passed on it. In 1972, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes released their first single, a slow, solemn ballad entitled "I Miss You". This all changed when they landed a recording deal with Philadelphia International Records in 1971, thus beginning Pendergrass's successful collaboration with label founders Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff.Įarly career Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes: 1970–1975 Before Pendergrass joined the group, the Blue Notes had struggled to find success.
However, during a performance, Pendergrass began singing along, and Melvin, impressed by his vocals, made him the lead singer.
In 1970, he was spotted by the Blue Notes' founder, Harold Melvin (1939–1997), who convinced Pendergrass to play drums in the group. Pendergrass played drums for several local Philadelphia bands, eventually becoming the drummer of The Cadillacs (not the famed Harlem-based group of the same name). The recording, however, was not a commercial success. He dropped out in the 11th grade to enter the music business, recording his first song "Angel with Muddy Feet". He attended Thomas Edison High School for Boys in North Philadelphia. Pendergrass also took up drums during this time and was a junior deacon of his church. He dreamed of being a pastor and got his wish when, at age 10, he was ordained a minister (according to author Robert Ewell Greene). Pendergrass grew up in the impoverished section of North Philadelphia and often sang at church. Not long after, Jesse was stabbed to death on June 13, 1962, during an altercation with another man. She fulfilled that promise, and Teddy met his father when he was 11 years old. As he grew older, his mother promised him that she would find his father so that they could meet. When Pendergrass was very young, his father left the family. Ida suffered six miscarriages before successfully giving birth to Teddy.
He was the only child of Jesse and Ida Geraldine (née Epps) Pendergrass. He was born Theodore DeReese Pendergrass on Sunday, March 26, 1950, in Kingstree, South Carolina. 2.1 Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes: 1970–1975.
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