The father of silky smooth soul and r&b Teddy Pendergrass passes away aged 59 BBC reports:

Pendergrass enjoyed early success with Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, whose hits included If You Don’t Know Me By Now, before going solo in 1976.

He was the first black male singer to record five consecutive multi-platinum albums in the US.

Pendergrass, who has used a wheelchair since his accident, made a return to live performance at the Live Aid concert in Philadelphia in July 1985.

“To all his fans who loved his music, thank you,” his son said.

“He will live on through his music.”