Teddy Pendergrass, Rest in Peace

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Growing up in the 80s in the Philippines, way before the MTV age had hit us, TV channels like IBC-13 and GMA-7 would show music videos in the morning (around 6am) as filler to start the day. Filipinos are the most sentimental of South East Asians. When it comes to love songs, we love 'em mellow and worn on a sleeve.

I first encountered Teddy Pendergrass with his video 'In My Time'. I had no idea what he meant to American culture back then, as it was slowly seeping into me. But his video was one of the most memorable to me. While everybody was singing about loneliness and passion, this song evoked a strong reminiscence and loving gratitude. And when it finally showed him in his wheelchair, it etched itself into memory.

I re-discovered Teddy later on in my 60s-70s R&B phase. If Marvin Gaye was the silk of romance, Teddy Pendergrass was its velvet. And that's what many will remember him for, being R. Kelly before R. Kelly. I recall Eddie Murphy's joke about his sexy ferociousness, "He would scare the bitches into liking him!"

But I will remember that loving and heartbreaking video of Teddy looking back at his life, even more so now. God bless you Teddy.


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2 Comments

Wow, this video is so sad... I've heard the song when I was younger but have never seen the video.

Similar to Johnny Cash's video for "Hurt," except that that video, in some ways, is even more poignant, since Cash's wife was in the video, but died before it was shown on TV, and Cash himself would die within a year's time. Both videos, though, contain a great artist looking back on his life.

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This page contains a single entry by Michael Mirasol published on January 14, 2010 7:04 PM.

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