R&B legend TEDDY PENDERGRASS died yesterday at a hospital in suburban Philadelphia. He was 59.

–There’s no word on the exact cause of death, but Teddy’s son said Teddy had undergone colon cancer surgery eight months ago, and had, quote, “a difficult recovery.”

–Pendergrass started out as a member of Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, which scored a hit with “If You Don’t Know Me By Now”.

–As a solo artist in the ’70s and ’80s, he recorded such classics as “Love T.K.O.”, “Close the Door”, “I Don’t Love You Anymore” and “Turn Off the Lights”.

–Pendergrass was paralyzed from the waist down in a 1982 car accident. He remained in a wheelchair for the rest of his life.