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Rhythm and Blues legend Teddy Pendergrass, whose musical career spanned four decades, died Wednesday after a long battle with colon cancer. He was 59.

Pendergrass, also affectionately known as “Teddy P,” began his musical career as a drummer but eventually became the lead vocalist for Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes. As a member of the Blue Notes, Teddy P sang such classics as “Wake Up Everybody” and If You Don’t Know Me By Now.”

As a solo artist, Pendergrass recorded more than a dozen albums including hits “I Don’t Love You Anymore,” “Close the Door,” “Turn off the Lights” and “Love TKO.”

His life changed forever in 1982 as he was involved in a car crash that left him paralyzed from the waist down. After his accident, Pendergrass became an advocate for those suffering spinal cord injuries and started the Teddy Pendergrass Alliance to benefit paralyzed people.

He retired from the music industry in 2006.