by A.E.McGrath

Created on: July 04, 2008

Music is an outlet for expression, weaving the lyrics to where the melody and words strike an emotional bond between artist and fan. Classic singers and songwriters evolve, experiment, and reach all audiences and yet maintain their musical integrity. Only few can be classified as extraordinary, inspiring a new generation of performers from all musical varieties. In my opinion, the three singers who meet and are beyond the standard of Greatest R&B male singers are Teddy Pendergrass, Marvin Gaye, and Barry White.

Before the release of Teddy in 1977, Teddy Pendergrass was best known as the lead vocalist of Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes. His initiation to the group was unusual, as Teddy, a drummer, jumped the stage and sang during a Blue Notes concert. Pendergrass' musical performanceenergetic, credible, and oozing of sensualitybecame a stapler of Adult Oriented Radio (AOR) during the 1970's. Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes cranked hit after hit, "If You Don't Know Me by Now", "Bad Luck", and "Wake Up Everybody", with Teddy's unmistakable delivery. Pendergrass' quest for captivating audiences did not end after leaving the Blue Notes. He released solo albums with a string of hit singles, such as "Turn Off the Lights" and "I Don't Love You Anymore." Teddy Pendergrass was the first African American male who had five platinum albums in a row and to establish "ladies only" concerts.

Marvin Gaye established his career as the smooth, charismatic ladies man at Motown's beginning. The clean-shaven, impeccably dressed singer found success with songs like "Can I Get a Witness", "Pride and Joy", and "Ain't that Peculiar?" After the untimely death of duet partner Tami Terrell in 1970, Gaye fell into a deep depression. The singer considered retiring from the music altogether, until writers Al Cleveland and Renaldo "Obie" Benson asked Marvin Gaye to collaborate on a politically conscious song. The two convinced him to record the song. That song was entitled "What's Going On?" At first, Motown president Barry Gordy protested the release of the song, deeming it uncommercial. Gaye responded by a threat to quit his recording career. The title and album with the same name was wildly successful for both Marvin Gaye and Motown records. "What's Going On?" became the fastest selling single at that point, defined a new era in record creations and producing, and not to mention a departure from the standard formula for hit singles. Marvin's career grew larger with the release and title

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