84. Teddy Pendergrass - If You Don't Know Me; movie review

TEDDY PENDERGRASS - IF YOU DON'T KNOW ME
Cert TBA
105 mins

BBFC advice: TBA

No, Teddy Pendergrass, I thought I didn't know you.... but it turns out that I did!
You were the fella who sang Don't Leave Me This Way and If You Don't Know Me By Now.
And here's me thinking it was Harold Melvin who was the lead singer with the Blue Notes.
As Olivia Lichtenstein's excellent documentary reveals, this is a common mistake because Melvin was the self-appointed band leader.
Indeed, he not only slapped his name on the front of their moniker but also kept most of the royalties, staying at fancy hotels when the band were at low-grade motels.
Unsurprisingly, this grated on Pendergrass whose voice had thrust a struggling group into international stardom.

Fellow Blue Notes tell the history of the group as part of this biopic which etches the rise, fall and rise again of the man with one of the lushest vocals in US pop history.
There are contributions from colleagues, family, friends and lovers of Pendergrass.
It makes for fascinating viewing because this is not just a tale of a successful singer.
Pendergrass came from the ghetto in Philadelphia and, consequently, had some rather questionable relationships with those on the wrong side of the law.
This even prompted questions to him about the murder of his manager.
The film also delves into his rows with the police which resulted in his being arrested several times.
And there is the crash which left him a paraplegic and his intense reaction to that for bad and good.
Lichtenstein's documentary is both thorough and entertaining. There are some great clips of Pendergrass in his prime both on and off stage and her interviewees offer genuine insight.

Reasons to watch: Intelligently told biopic of a major singing star
Reasons to avoid: If you aren't interested in music history

Laughs: None
Jumps: None
Vomit: None
Nudity: None
Overall rating: 8.5/10

Did you know? Teddy Pendergrass, who was the voice of Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes' great songs, was initially signed as the group's drummer.

The final word. Olivia Lichenstein: "I've always listened to Teddy Pendergrass. I loved that music. Then, I started listening to him again in the last few years. I didn’t really realize what had happened to him. I just thought: "Oh, nobody talks about Teddy Pendergrass and they should, because he’s so incredible and he’s got this amazing voice."

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