There was much anticipation built into Friday evening's bill of Stephanie Mills and Teddy Pendergrass at Music Hall.

        Both veteran performers haven't appeared locally in years, but they conjure many memories through the bond forged through decades of chart-topping intimate ballads and solid R&B grooves.

        Perhaps the mostly-boomer crowd was looking for validation or confirmation of after all the years and changes, did they still have it?

        The answer is a resounding yes. Maturity is a good thing.

        Ms. Mills opened the concert with the musical question, “Whatcha Gonna Do With My Lovin'?” Backed by a four-piece band and three background singers, the petite Ms. Mills thrilled the crowd with her full, rich multi-octave range.

        Ms Mills' set was a blend of romance and touchy-feelings — “I Feel Good All Over,” “Something in the Way You Make Me Feel,” and ""Feel the Fire.” Her ebullient and familiar presence is due to Ms. Mills' extensive experiences, which include stints on Broadway,such as in The WIZ when she was a teen-ager in the 1970's.

        She also tapped into her dance hits, including “Sweet Sensation,” “You Put a Little Rush on Me'' and “Never Knew Love Like This Before.“

        The huge, passionate delivery that is her hallmark were very much evident when she sang “The Power of Love,” her high notes bringing the audience to it's feet. She got her second standing ovation when she sang a gospel-tinged ""Home” from The WIZ.

        A short video documentary preceded the next performance to update fans on the life and times of Teddy Pendergrass.

        Mr. Pendergrass has been the embodiment of courage and persistence, and the crowd showed its appreciation with another standing ovation when he came on stage in a motorized wheelchair. Although paralyzed from the neck down following a 1982 auto accident, Pendergrass continues to prove that the apostles of “the old school” of R&B still have staying power.

        Looking fit and trim at 51 (much to the delight of his devoted female fans), Mr. Pendergrass felt the groove, rocking his shoulders to the music. Using a cordless headset microphone, he displayed his raspy baritone while opening with ""Joy,'' which featured a cameo appearance by Cincinnati's Reggie Calloway on trumpet.

        Love was topic du jour as he scorched through “Somebody Loves You Back” and “Love TKO.” Mr. Pendergrass urged ""Don't Worry Now'' and later instructed — no, insisted — “Turn Off the Lights.”

        Throughout his performance, Mr. Pendergrass was upbeat and personable as he talked about his challenging life, touching on familiar themes of family and relationships, particularly those of a romantic nature.

        Pendergrass traced his musical roots, going back to his days with Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes for “If You Don't Know Me By Now” backed by a six-piece band and four singers, continuing the medley with “Wake Up Everybody,” “The Love I Lost” and “You Got What I Want.”

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