The song also featured Blue Notes member Lloyd Parks singing falsetto in the background and spotlighted Harold Melvin adding in a rap near the end of the song as Pendergrass kept singing, feigning tears. Pendergrass sings much of the song in a raspy baritone voice that would become his trademark. Noting how Pendergrass sounded like Dells lead singer Marvin Junior, Kenny Gamble decided to build the song with Pendergrass, who was only 21 at the time of the recording. 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.Lord until the sun goes down, 'till it goes down. It's all night pourin', pourin', pourin', Ran into a rainstorm, I ducked back into Novato. That's why if you please, I am on my bendin knees, Heard a voice al callin', Lord you was commin' after me. I had a feelin' I was fallin', fallin', fallin', Try to see what's goin' down, try to read between the lines That's why if you please, I am on my bendin' knees,īertha don't you come around here anymore.ĭressed myself in green, I went down unto the sea. Run around the corner, corner, Lord run smack in to a tree. I had a run in, run around, and run down. I was all night running, running, Lord I wonder if you care, I had a hard run, runnin' from your window. I told Althea I'm a roving son, and I was born to be a bachelor.Īlthea told me, okay, that's fine, so now I'm trying to catch her.Ĭan't talk to you without talking to me, we're guilty of the same old thing.īeen talking alot about less and less and forgetting the love we bring. This space is getting hot, you know this space is getting hot. There are things you can replace, and others you cannot. Gonna want a bed to lay your head and a little sympathy. When the smoke has cleared, she said, that's what she said to me. Loose with the truth, baby, it's your fire, but baby don't get burned. Honest to the point of recklessness, self-centered in the extreme.Īin't nobody messing with you, but you, your friends are getting most concerned. You may meet the fate on Ophelia, sleeping and penchence to dream. You may be a clown in the burying ground, or just another pretty face. You may be Saturday's child, all alone, moving with a tinge of grace. I told Althea that treachery was tearing me limb from limb.Īlthea told me better cool down boy, settle back, easy Jim. I told Althea I was feeling lost, lacking in some direction.Īlthea told me upon scrutiny that my back might need protection.
0 kommentar(er)
