Biography
R&B vocalist, songwriter, and record producer John Whitehead is chiefly recognized for the blockbuster track "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now," the disco-era staple he created with his enduring associate Gene McFadden. Whitehead entered the world on July 2, 1948, and grew up alongside McFadden in an economically struggling section of Philadelphia. While still enrolled in high school, the two launched the Epsilons in 1966 together with Whitehead's cousin Ronald Lowry—who would later belong to Frankie Beverley's Maze—and Allen Beatty; Otis Redding caught one of their shows and immediately took them on as his backing vocalists. The Epsilons likewise supported Arthur Conley on the enduring favorite "Sweet Soul Music," but Redding's untimely passing eroded the group's prospects, and they disbanded after issuing the 1968 Stax single "The Echo."
Whitehead and McFadden headed back to Philadelphia and assembled Talk of the Town with James Knight and Lloyd Parks. North Bay released two singles by the ensemble in 1971—"Little Bit of Your Lovin'" and "Don't Be So Mean"—yet neither connected with listeners, prompting Whitehead to accept a mailroom position at the fledgling Philadelphia International Records. He and McFadden also began crafting songs and ultimately persuaded label heads Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff to hear their composition "Back Stabbers." When the O'Jays recorded "Back Stabbers" in 1972, it became the label's first gold record and a pivotal moment in the rise of Philly soul.
Over the following six years, McFadden and Whitehead, working as writers and producers, accumulated 22 gold records, two platinum albums, and two Grammy nominations; their successes encompassed Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes' "Wake Up Everybody" and "Where Are All My Friends," plus Archie Bell & the Drells' "Don't Let Love Get You Down." The pair also revived the Talk of the Town endeavor, issuing the singles "Super Groover (All Night Mover)," "Bumpin' Boogie," and "I Apologize" on the Philadelphia International subsidiaries Gamble and TSOP. In 1978 they reentered the studio under the streamlined name McFadden & Whitehead and laid down "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now" in a single take, with Whitehead spontaneously supplying most of the lyrics. The single became an international phenomenon, reaching the summit of the Billboard R&B charts and later serving as an anthem for Philadelphia sports teams, yet the duo could not replicate that achievement; "I Heard It in a Love Song" and "I've Been Pushed Aside" registered only minor chart activity.
After the release of Movin' On in 1982, McFadden & Whitehead parted company; Whitehead was subsequently imprisoned for tax evasion and issued the solo album I Need Money Bad in 1988 once freed. He and McFadden reconvened during the 1990s to perform at corporate functions and disco nostalgia events. Whitehead was fatally shot on May 11, 2004, while working on his car along a Philadelphia street; he was 55.
Whitehead and McFadden headed back to Philadelphia and assembled Talk of the Town with James Knight and Lloyd Parks. North Bay released two singles by the ensemble in 1971—"Little Bit of Your Lovin'" and "Don't Be So Mean"—yet neither connected with listeners, prompting Whitehead to accept a mailroom position at the fledgling Philadelphia International Records. He and McFadden also began crafting songs and ultimately persuaded label heads Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff to hear their composition "Back Stabbers." When the O'Jays recorded "Back Stabbers" in 1972, it became the label's first gold record and a pivotal moment in the rise of Philly soul.
Over the following six years, McFadden and Whitehead, working as writers and producers, accumulated 22 gold records, two platinum albums, and two Grammy nominations; their successes encompassed Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes' "Wake Up Everybody" and "Where Are All My Friends," plus Archie Bell & the Drells' "Don't Let Love Get You Down." The pair also revived the Talk of the Town endeavor, issuing the singles "Super Groover (All Night Mover)," "Bumpin' Boogie," and "I Apologize" on the Philadelphia International subsidiaries Gamble and TSOP. In 1978 they reentered the studio under the streamlined name McFadden & Whitehead and laid down "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now" in a single take, with Whitehead spontaneously supplying most of the lyrics. The single became an international phenomenon, reaching the summit of the Billboard R&B charts and later serving as an anthem for Philadelphia sports teams, yet the duo could not replicate that achievement; "I Heard It in a Love Song" and "I've Been Pushed Aside" registered only minor chart activity.
After the release of Movin' On in 1982, McFadden & Whitehead parted company; Whitehead was subsequently imprisoned for tax evasion and issued the solo album I Need Money Bad in 1988 once freed. He and McFadden reconvened during the 1990s to perform at corporate functions and disco nostalgia events. Whitehead was fatally shot on May 11, 2004, while working on his car along a Philadelphia street; he was 55.
Albums
Singles
