There are only a few recording artists who can be referred to by only their first names. And there’s only one man in the history of music that could do this music thing the way “Teddy P.” did it. Only one man could hold a series of “women-only” concerts and pack the house each time.

Teddy Pendergrass (Photo courtesy NNPA)

Born Theodore DeReese Pendergrass on March 26, 1950, Pendergrass died Jan. 13 following a battle with colon cancer. He was 59.

In my childhood, I think Teddy P. was the only man my mother ever loved other than my father. I remember riding in the car with my mother on occasions when “Come Go With Me” would come on the radio. From the first tune of the song, we were automatically programmed to shut up because my little brother and I were aware that he was singing to her personally. However, she never got the opportunity to attend one of those “ladies-only” concerts.

Teddy began his career as a drummer with the Cadillacs, which later merged with Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes. He quickly rose to fame after being invited by Melvin himself to become the lead singer of the group.

After signing with Gamble & Huff in the early seventies and releasing a string of hits such as “I miss you,” “Bad Luck” and their two-million seller hit “Wake Up Everybody,” Teddy soon released his self-titled solo album, which contained the hits “I Don’t Love You Anymore” and “The Whole Town’s Laughing at Me.” His string of hits continued with “Turn off the Lights” and “Come Go with Me” among others.

In March of 1982, Pendergrass was involved in an automobile accident that would forever change his life and his career. He and a passenger were traveling in the Germantown area of Philadelphia when the brakes failed on his 1981 Rolls-Royce. It caused the car to hit a guard rail, crossing over into oncoming traffic, hitting two trees and leaving Pendergrass and his passenger, Tenika Watson, trapped inside the twisted wreckage for some 45 minutes. While Watson walked away with minor injuries, Pendergrass suffered a severe spinal cord injury, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down. His record label continued to release his pre-accident material until he made an amazing comeback in 1988, releasing his first album of new material titled “Joy.”

He continued to tour the country and record new material until his death. Without Teddy Pendergrass, there would be no R. Kellys, Tyreses or even Jaheiems. And although nominated for 5 Grammys, he never won an award. His music, however, will continue to touch many for decades to come.

You will be happy to know that my mother did get the opportunity to catch Teddy in concert a few years ago. And yes, she felt as if he was singing to her personally.

Rest in peace Teddy P, and thanks.

On Another Note: Basement Lounge Report

Remember this name: William Davenport. He was the featured performer at Sunday’s Basement Soul Lounge at the Rumba Room. This guy is an amazing talent and one of the best artists to come through Basement Lounge. He has opened for Raheem Devaughn, Indie Arie, as well as Laura Izabor, and has been known to “sing the metal off of the mic.” You can check out Will and his music at his MySpace page at www.myspace.com/williamdavenport.

If you have not made it down to Basement Soul yet, you are really missing out on a great time. We’ve got open mic poetry, so if you got material you’d like to share with others, just show up! Don’t forget to join us each and every 1st and 3rd Sunday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Rumba Room, located at 303 South Main.

On Feb. 7, we’ll kick off the Basement Soul Lounge Superbowl Party at 6 p.m. Email me for more information! You know I got the 411, right?

(Myron Mays is a freelance columnist and host of “Myron at Midnite” on WRBO Soul Classics 103.5. Got an entertainment question? Send me an email at myron@myronmays.com or catch me on Facebook and Twitter. If your question is printed in the column, I’ll send you a couple of free tickets to the Stax Museum of American Soul Music.)