Teddy Penderg****, one of the most successful R&B singers of the 1970s and 80s, passed away yesterday after a battle with colon cancer. He was 59. Penderg**** was diagnosed with cancer last year and had a difficult time recovering from surgery; he died at Bryn Mawr Hospital outside of his native Philadelphia, ABC News reports. The five-time Grammy-nominated singer had chart-topping hits in three different decades with 1978s Close the Door, 1988s Joy and 1991s It Shouldve Been You, plus well-known songs like Love TKO, Two Hearts with Stephanie Mills and Hold Me, a duet with Whitney Houston that featured on Houstons 1985 debut album.

Remembering Teddy Penderg****: photos of the smooth soul singer.

Penderg**** rise to international fame was briefly halted after he was involved in a 1982 car crash that left him in the hospital for six months and paralyzed from the waist down, but he didnt let the accident prevent him from making music. He had about 10 platinum albums in a row, so he was a very, very successful recording artist and as a performing artist, Penderg**** friend and collaborator Kenny Gamble, of Gamble & Huff, told the AP. He had a tremendous career ahead of him, and the accident sort of got in the way of many of those plans.

Penderg**** began his career as lead singer of the Philadelphia soul group Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes singing their Number One hit If You Dont Know Me By Now before embarking on his own solo career. He released his self-titled solo album in 1977 on Gamble & Huffs Philadelphia International Records, the first of eight albums Penderg**** would record for the label before moving to Warner Musics Asylum and Elektra. To all his fans who loved his music, thank you, his son Teddy Penderg**** II said. He will live on through his music.