Teddy Pendergrass: If You Don't Know Me

Movie night with Iris.

I'm a big Sound of Philadelphia fan, and Pendergrass is the real don of that clan. I learnt a lot from this documentary, but the darker side felt glossed over.

Yes coming back from suicidal thoughts to perform at Live Aid is Hollywood fare. However, there's a really interesting story about getting tangled up in organised crime, where the film fears to tread.

Americans know how to make a good music documentary, and this one is really nice. It's interesting that not only was Teddy Pendergrass an excellent singer and a big star, he was surrounded by people who genuinely loved him. Not everyone has that. That love was tested when he had a terrible car accident that left him a quadriplegic. He was (understandably) so depressed he wanted to die, but his loved ones had a mock funeral in which they stated why they loved him. He chose to keep going and sing again. The only trouble with this doco was that it abruptly finishes when he has just re-started his career. Maybe I got a bad cut of the doco (it screened on TV). Anyway, his friends and family are really lovely people. He was so lucky to have them. Their love was pure and it continues today.

My music tastes are broad but I can't say I was not big fan of Teddy Pendergrass though I enjoy many of his songs; but watching this documentary showed me how little I did know about his life, times, and struggles.

I can truly say the movie, especially the last 30 minutes of it goes well beyond music. He breaks through depression after a life-changing accident and will give everyone an example of love and spirit they will not forget.

You don't even have to be a music fan to enjoy it. Everyone should watch it.

Interviews are great. Stories are great. Music is great. Film clips are great. Can't think of anything not to like. I almost feel cheated that it wasn't longer. I can see someone doing a series on his life for sure.

Beautiful,inspiring,heartbreaking,wonderful,life affirming and so much more. This movie will stay in my heart forever just where Teddy Pendergrass's music lives.

Soul superstar Teddy Pendergrass already had a long and extensive career in 1982. As this genuinely sincere documentary shows, he faced an even bigger breakthrough when he was paralyzed this year after a nasty car accident. As a big fan of Tendergrass, it was truly a great experience to watch this heartwarming documentary that fully shows how great he was. And sad to think of how the career could progress. But as this movie shows, Pendergrass found his inner strength and continued his career and continued to succeed. The documentary also shows social problems and racism Pedergrass had to deal with, nevertheless he found his place in a very tough industry, and succeeded. The strength of the documentary is that there are those who were really fond of Pendergrass contributing here, and that makes it both real, credible and enlightening. And told from the heart, honest and true. And best of all; here are lots of Teddy Pendergrass's great music. If you want to watch a documentary, choose this one!