Throughout the years we’ve witnessed scores of entertainers who have garnered considerable attention and captured a moment of fame along the continuum of time. But the fact is that in modern culture there are far fewer who have returned time and time again to capture our hearts. TV One’s signature biography series “Unsung” focuses the camera’s eye on those entertainment luminaries that made lasting impressions in our memories and left fans a legacy of songs and performances to remember them by.
“Unsung” will open its third season with a poignant tribute to the incomparable Teddy Pendergrass. This is a more than a nostalgic look at Teddy’s lifetime, his years with Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes or his post-accident struggles, it’s an in depth up close and personal examination of the man, the music and the magic that was Teddy Pendergrass.
For executive co-producers Dyana Williams and Mark Rowland the project was a labor of love. Williams, a close personal friend and longtime supporter of the fallen artist spoke with rolling out about the upcoming show and what viewers can expect to learn about the late great’s life and times. –roz edward
On her relationship with Teddy Pendergrass:
He was my neighbor for almost 20 years and a friend of about 30 [years]. He was one of my best male friends and I was like a sister to him. … I was approached [to do the show] because of my knowledge of Mr. Pendergrass and my relationship with he and his family. … The earthquake in Haiti occurred on Jan. 12 and Teddy died in Philadelphia on Jan. 13, so his passing was obscured by [the catastrophe].
On the show:
It’s an in-depth exploration of an artist who deserves more acclaim. After [Teddy’s] car accident his career came to a screeching halt … until he started singing again during Live Aid with Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson, that was his triumphant return to the stage. He did limited touring after the accident and it took a minute, but that’s when he did “Joy” and “2 A.M.,” some of his great songs … So, the show is a linear chronology of Teddy’s life from childhood to his passing in 2010.
On Pendergrass himself:
I was at the hospital the night of the accident and I was on the phone with my ex-husband [producer Kenny Gamble] giving him updates … Teddy’s depression was so profound that at one point he didn’t want to live. But he went from that, to wanting to live and wanting to learn how to cope with being a disabled person. From there he went a step further to wanting to inspire other disabled people, to love and be loved and to be productive.
Watch the “Unsung” season premiere featuring Teddy Pendergrass on Sept. 13 at 10 p.m. EST.
