May 12, 2004

John Whitehead, 1948-2004

Another big one.

R&B Legend John Whitehead Killed

...Whitehead is best remembered for "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now," a song he recorded with longtime partner Gene McFadden as McFadden and Whitehead. Though the two had worked as writers and producers in the recording industry for more than a decade, they didn't get around to recording a debut album until 1979. The self-titled set included the hit, which reached Number One on the R&B charts and Number Thirteen on the pop charts. A year later it also became something of an anthem for the Philadelphia Phillies' victorious World Series run.

Despite the immediate notoriety the song gave McFadden and Whitehead, their R&B roots go back into the Sixties, where as the Epsilons they toured with Otis Redding. The two fell in with the Philadelphia International label, where they were among the architects of the Philly soul sound. As producers and writers McFadden and Whitehead contributed hits like "Backstabbers" to the O'Jays, as well as inking songs for Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes, the Intruders and numerous others.

The news reports will mostly focus on his biggest pop hit "Ain't No Stopping Us Now," but Whitehead's impact as a songwriter goes much deeper, along with his partner Gene McFadden. Other gems he blessed us with:


The O'Jays - "For the Love of Money"
Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes - "Bad Luck"
The O'Jays - "Backstabbers"
The Intruders - "I'll Always Love My Mamma"
Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes - "Wake Up Everybody"


Posted by jsmooth995 at May 12, 2004 05:50 PM
Comments

they smile in yo face,
ooh now they gonna take yo place
the backstabbers, backstabbers

stop the violence. RIP.

Posted by: yojimbot at May 12, 2004 06:16 PM

this was such sad news for me...especially with the childhood memories i have of being around his 3 kids a few times when i lived in Philly...i remembered how they worshipped their father and were so proud of his legacy...they had a strong family

Posted by: Damali at May 13, 2004 01:35 AM

respect Johnny

I will never forget Aint No Stopping Us Now.

Posted by: Andy Scoffin at May 14, 2004 03:03 PM


As I am daughter to the late Roland Chambers, a contributor to The Sound of Philadelphia (TSOP), who past 2 years ago this month. I share the heart felt sadness and deepest sympathy with the Whitehead family. May God bless you always!

Peace and Love!

Posted by: La Toya Chambers at May 14, 2004 04:06 PM

"Ain't No Stoppin Us Now" has always been a part of my DJ set and I am saddened by the loss of Mr Whitehead. My sympathies to his family. Let us continue to keep him alive through the music he has left behind.

Posted by: DJ Domewrecka/Rod Williams at May 15, 2004 09:11 AM

I was so sorry to hear about Whithead death. Ain't no stopping us now, will always be a part of my collections. My sympathy to the family.

Posted by: O. Webster at May 16, 2004 11:07 PM

Hi........
MY name is Lakia I am one of Johns Daughters and i just want to thank everyone for the kind words about my father on this site. It made me feel good. I've been so sad about my father:(
I cant eat I cant sleep I cant even think
so people please keep me in your prayers.

I LOVE YOU DADDY!!!!!
aka
Toodles

Posted by: Lakia McNichols Whitehead at May 16, 2004 11:54 PM

I cherish the McFadden & Whitehead compilation CD that I bought a few years ago. On April 26, 2004, I created a webpage about Disco Message Songs after being inspired by the impact John Whitehead and other Philly greats had on bringing real messages to disco music and wanting to let other people know about this. The 4 listed disco message songs that John co-wrote are:
"Bad Luck" by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes
"Prayin'" by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes
"Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now" by McFadden & Whitehead
"Don't Feel Bad" by McFadden & Whitehead
http://www.discosavvy.com/messagesongs.html

I also really like some of his other projects like "I Heard it in a Love Song", "Got to Change", "Wake Up Everybody" by Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, "Back Stabbers" by the O'Jays, and Melba Moore's remake of "You Stepped Into My Life".

The May 17, 2004 "Back to the Old School" program at http://www.oldschool.nl/musicdb/playlist.php?action=showdate&datum=2004-05-17
is a 22-song tribute to John Whitehead, playing his solo songs, his duos with McFadden, and some of his production and writing credits. Take a listen there, I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

Posted by: Kevin Brook at May 17, 2004 01:47 AM

May God Bless Your Family and that some kind of good becomes of this tragedy. We ALL need to stop the violence.

Posted by: Sophretta at May 17, 2004 09:09 AM

My condolences and prayers are with the Whitehead and McFadden families. May John rest in peace.Wake up everybody.May God bless all of you.

Posted by: vallerie at May 18, 2004 07:19 PM

RIP John Whitehead. My mother was friends with him, some of his close friends and his manager. WE MISS YOU!!! I'll always remember his unreleased (i got connections) song, "Let Freedom Ring" YOU ROCK JOHN

Posted by: Deanna at May 27, 2004 09:32 PM

RIP John Whitehead. My mother was friends with him, some of his close friends and his manager. WE MISS YOU!!! I'll always remember his unreleased (i got connections) song, "Let Freedom Ring" YOU ROCK JOHN

Posted by: Deanna at May 27, 2004 09:32 PM

My prayers are with John's family and friends and my love is with John. I was a friend of John's back in the 80's and he brought so much laughter to my spirit with his humor, fun and great big smile. I'll never forget the times I shared w/ John, he made a memoroable impression in my life. I miss him and he'll always be alive in my heart.

I pray that God continues to embrace his family and friends through this time.

God Bless

Posted by: Sandy at May 28, 2004 07:31 PM

I 'm so sad to hear that the GENIUS JOHN WHITEHEAD is dead.Once again, we loose a fabulous musician..But he still lives in our heart through his music.Personnaly my favorite song is "Ain't no stoppin' us now".
Rest In Peace JOHN.
Say hello to RAY,BARRY,AALIYAH,LISA,TUPAC,CHRISTOPHER,MARTIN LUTHER,MALCOM and all the people that miss us
SEE YA!!!

Posted by: DJ ZALMAC at June 18, 2004 12:48 PM

Hi my names is Daron and it meet John Whitehead at my grandma birthday party one year "Theresa". And ever since then I loved that song aint no stopping us know.That song and John will never be forgotten.
7/14/04

Posted by: Daron Hall at July 16, 2004 10:27 AM

From Cody Your friend and brother,
I was their from the start And I was their to the end.

John you was one of a kind, You was a great friend you had the golden touch!
I wittness you take the World by storm with the messages in your music.

I hope that Kenny and Johnny will keep the message
going, they have the feelings of your touch and to your children and your wife E.

Never, Never be afraid to die, For That john
is waiting you in the Sky.

And to E his Wife, you were John Balance you helped him find his faith he loved you so much.

I'am very Gracful to have had John as a brother and a friend.
Love you toot
CODY

Posted by: JOEL CODY at July 20, 2004 01:01 AM

Im sorry for My dads death even though I only met
him a couple of times,but I still love him as if He raised me. Big shot out to the white head family never walk withe your heads down keep it up because I Know John is looking down on you.


Posted by: Jonathan williams at July 22, 2004 12:04 PM

I was heartbroken to here about the worlds loss. no one else could light up the room like my uncle toodles. I miss you and see you in the next life. watch over us!
love, your nephew
lil frankie

Posted by: Frank Whitehead at July 23, 2004 08:12 AM

I thought that as time went on, that it would get easier, but it hasn't. I am John Whitehead's goddaughter. I also made him my oldest daughter's godfather. I loved my godfather very much. As time goes on it gets harder and harder. This is for any and every one in the Whitehead family and close friends. We have to keep Uncle Toot alive in us and through his music. this is the way that he would have had want it to be. Mrs. E he'll always be with you. Uncle Toot I miss you so much. I never thought that it would hurt that bad. On behalf of the family, we thank you so much for your support to my godfather. He was one of a million.

Love always and forever,

Bridg'ee Montague

Posted by: Bridg'ee Montague at July 30, 2004 04:43 PM

Everytime I log on an see the wonderful things people have said about my father and the prayers you have sent to my family, I get all warm inside....It's been 5 months and my fathers murder is still unsolved. My fathers wife has started a Foundation in his name.
John Whitehead
'There's No Stoppin the Music'
Foundation
Our goal is to open a Charter School in 2006 for Creative and Performing Arts. This has helped us with our healing process.
Again thank you every one for all of you kind words.

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