Philadelphia soul group; Harold Melvin 1939-1997, lead vocal by Teddy Pendergrass 1950-2010
The Blue Notes had been working Philadelphia since the mid-1950s, founded by Harold Melvin, long before anything stuck. What changed everything was Teddy Pendergrass, who joined in 1970 as a drummer in the backing band and was promoted to lead singer the same year. “If You Don’t Know Me by Now” was the group’s breakthrough hit — they had charted before, with “My Hero” in 1960 and “Get Out (and Let Me Cry)” in 1965 — and the record that made Pendergrass a star — No. 1 R&B, No. 3 pop, cut at Sigma Sound with Gamble and Huff producing.
Who recorded it
Songs Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes recorded first