Teddy Pendergrass’s final album will be making its way to digital streaming platforms very soon.
His Christmas Album This Christmas (I’d Rather Have Love) will have its digital debut on November 3rd to celebrate its 25th anniversary. The album has the hits such as, “Happy Kwanzaa,” “Christmas and You,” “I Won’t Have Christmas,” and the album’s title “This Christmas (I’d Rather Have Love).”
The album will also have everyone’s favorite classics including “Oh Holy Night,” ‘This Christmas Song,” and “Little Drummer Boy.” To kickoff the celebration, Pendergrass’s version of “Joy to the World,” is now available to listen too.
This album was the late singer’s first and only Christmas album and it was released before his memoir, Truly Blessed. According to reports, he worked with songwriter/producer Jim Salamone and Grammy- winning songwriter/producer Reggie Calloway.
“What a thrill to realize that Teddy’s album is being re-released! So many great memories are attached to the creation of this timeless work,” Salamone said in a statement. “It will be very satisfying for people to be able to enjoy this record every Holiday season.” Daniel Markus, Pendergrass’s co-manager added, “Teddy was very proud of this album. He put it all together himself with some help from the Calloway Brothers (of Midnight Star fame) and Jim [Salamone].”
Teddy Pendergrass released his final album in September 1998 which debuted at No. 83 on the Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. After his passing in 2010, his Christmas album reached the 43 slot on the Holiday Albums chart.