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Soul singer Pendergrass, 59, dies in Philadelphia

Teddy Pendergrass, who became a sex symbol in the 1970s and '80s with his forceful, masculine voice and passionate love ballads and later became an inspirational figure after suffering a devastating car accident that left him paralyzed, died in suburban Philadephia on Wednesday at age 59.

The singer underwent colon cancer surgery eight months ago and had "a difficult recovery," his son, Teddy Pendergrass II, said.