Teddy Pendergrass

R&B singer Teddy Pendergrass, who was one of the most electric and successful figures in music until a car crash 28 years ago left him in a wheelchair, died of colon cancer on Jan. 13, 2010. He was 59.

Teddy Pendergrass, center, performs with Valerie Simpson, left, and Nicholas Ashford at JFK Stadium in Philadelphia during the Live Aid famine relief concert July 13, 1985. Pendergrass was paralyzed by a spinal cord injury in a 1982 car crash, still able to sing but without his signature power. Instead of becoming bitter, he created a new identity as a role model,

Dick Clark, executive producer of the "American Music Award" telecast, right, goes over production notes with singer Teddy Pendergrass during rehearsal at the Shirne Auditorium in Los Angeles. Pendergrass made his first solo appearance since his near fatal auto accident on the Jan. 25, 1986, show.

Singer Teddy Pendergrass is seen in a 1991 file photo. Pendergrass left a remarkable imprint on the music world as he ushered in a new era in R&B with his fiery, sensual and forceful brand of soul and his ladies' man image, burnished by his strikingly handsome looks.

Teddy Pendergrass, right, performs at the Good Neighbor Community Outreach Celebration Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2000, in Philadelphia. After his accident, he dedicated much of his life to helping others with spinal cord injuries and founded the Teddy Pendergrass Alliance to do that.