Teddy Pendergrass has died at the age of 59 after a struggle with colon cancer, ABC news is reporting. Pendergrass began his musical career as a drummer then catapulted to the front ranks of Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes after the departure of that group's lead singer. (Who wasn't Harold Melvin, as confusing as that sounds.) Guided by the producing team of Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, the group had hit after hit on the Philadelphia International label in the early-'70s.