Monday, May 6, 2019

MVD Entertainment Group To Release DVD And Blu-ray Editions Of Documentary Filmmaker Olivia Lichtenstein’s Teddy Pendergrass: If You Don't Know Me On Aug. 23


DVD & Blu-ray Release Report, Ralph Tribbey
On July 13, 1985 the Live Aid benefit concerts took place simultaneously at Wembley Stadium in London and at John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia.  The recent Queen biopic, Bohemian Rhapsody was capped off with a 20-minute recreation of Freddie Mercury and Queen’s performance at Wembley Stadium (an amazing bit of filmmaking) … “across the pond” (as they say) an equally emotional performance took place on that date. 

MVD Entertainment Group has announced that documentary filmmaker Olivia Lichtenstein’s Teddy Pendergrass: If You Don't Know Me will be heading to the home entertainment marketplace on Aug. 23 as both DVD and Blu-ray product offerings.

Teddy Pendergrass was at the top of his career and then came the night of March 18, 1982.  He was involved in a car crash in Philadelphia that left him a quadriplegic and paralyzed from the chest down.   It was, however, not the end of his career and filmmaker Lichtenstein chronicles that, and more, in her look at the life of this five-time Grammy nominee and five-time Platinum and three-time Gold recording artist.   

The Live Aid concert was his return to the limelight after three years of recovery from the near-fatal accident.   After Live Aid he would go on to record six additional albums, including the 1988 release of the Gold-certified “Joy,” which yielded two top ten R&B chart toppers, “Joy” (no. 1) and “2 A.M. (no. 3).

DVD & Blu-ray Release Report, Ralph TribbeyFilmmaker Olivia Lichtenstein examines Pendergrass’ early life, his breakthrough with Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, his solo-career management by the legendary Shep Gordon (who actually staged female-only venues to promote Pendergrass’ sexual allure) and even the dark side … his first manager and love interest, Taaz Lang, was murdered execution style (the crime has never been solved). 

The film blends vintage performances with a no-nonsense storyline that highlight both the good and bad in Pendergrass’ amazing life and career.

DVD & Blu-ray Release Report, Ralph Tribbey


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