Hundreds attend viewing for R&B singer Pendergrass in Philadelphia, funeral set for Saturday

Hundreds attend viewing for Teddy Pendergrass

PHILADELPHIA — Hundreds of music fans are gathering to mourn R&B star Teddy Pendergrass in Philadelphia.

More than 300 people lined up for the start of a public viewing for the sensual soul singer Friday at Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church. The line stretches around the block.

Best known as the singer of “If You Don’t Know Me By Now” and other hits, Pendergrass died of colon cancer Jan. 13 at the age of 59.

Pendergrass was left paralyzed from the waist down following a 1982 car crash, but continued to record music. He founded the Teddy Pendergrass Alliance to provide support for people with spinal cord injuries.

A public funeral is scheduled for Saturday at the church, followed by a private burial ceremony.