( CNN ) -- R & B legend Teddy Pendergrass died Wednesday evening , his former publicist said . He was 59 . Pendergrass , known for smash love ballads such as `` Turn Off the Lights '' and `` Love TKO , '' died after a long illness , according to Lisa Barbaris , who described herself as a close friend and his last publicist . He died at a hospital in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania , where he was born . His family did not reveal details about his illness , but said it was related to complications from a 1982 car accident , Barbaris said . `` His beloved family surrounded him . The world has lost one of its greatest voices and performers , '' a statement from Barbaris said . `` His family is devastated . He has three children and , even though it was expected , it still hurts , '' she said . Gallery : The amazing Teddy Pendergrass . The crooner , who many affectionately knew as just `` Teddy , '' started in music with a group called the Cadillacs in the late 1960s and was still with the group when it merged with Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes , according to his official Web site . He started as a drummer , but soon began to sing lead after the group heard his powerful voice . In 1972 , Pendergrass 's baritone could be heard on the classic Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes song `` If You Do n't Know Me by Now . '' The song became a No . 1 hit across the country and led Pendergrass to many other hits and accolades . After going solo , Pendergrass received several Grammy nominations , Billboard 's 1977 Pop Album New Artist Award and an American Music Award for best R & B performer of 1978 , Barbaris said . In 1982 , Pendergrass was involved in a car accident that left him paralyzed . But Pendergrass returned to the studio in 1984 in his wheelchair to record an album . Before his death , Pendergrass was working on a musical documenting his life , called `` I Am Who I Am . ''
Pendergrass was known for ballads such as `` Turn Off the Lights , '' and `` Love TKO '' In 1982 , Pendergrass was involved in a car accident that left him paralyzed . His publicist said the singer died after a lengthy illness . Hide Caption