Reply With QuoteThis totally came out of left field. I had no idea that Gene McFadden was suffering from cancer.
Although "Ain't No Stopping Us Now" has been played over and over, there is no denying how great a song it is. Thanks for all the great music. R.I.P.
Gold Record [Level 7]
Gene McFadden R&B Singer and Songwriter, Dies at 56
PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 27 (AP) — Gene McFadden, an R&B vocalist and songwriter best known for singing and helping to write the 1979 hit "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now," died on Friday at his home in the Mount Airy neighborhood here. He was 56.
The cause was cancer, his family said.
Mr. McFadden and John Whitehead formed a group called the Epsilons in their youth and toured with Otis Redding in the 1960's. They became a prominent songwriting and performing duo at Philadelphia International Records, a label founded by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, which produced a string of soul-music hits in the 60's and 70's.
"Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now" hit No. 1 on the R&B chart and No. 13 on the pop charts. The two also wrote several hit songs performed by others, including "Back Stabbers" for the O'Jays and "Wake Up Everybody" for Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes.
Mr. Whitehead was fatally shot in May 2004 while he was working on a vehicle in this city's West Oak Lane section.
Mr. McFadden is survived by his wife, Barbara; two sons; and two daughters.
DiscoMusic.com Owner / Administrator
This totally came out of left field. I had no idea that Gene McFadden was suffering from cancer.
Although "Ain't No Stopping Us Now" has been played over and over, there is no denying how great a song it is. Thanks for all the great music. R.I.P.
Gold Record [Level 7]
McFadden and Whitehead were also a part of Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes success.
As a songwriting team, they also wrote "Bad Luck," "Wake Up Everybody", "Backstabbers", "I'll Always Love My Mama", etc.
They also wrote and produced for Melba Moore and wrote her hit "Pick Me Up, I'll Dance".
They were great songwriters for the 70's R&B and disco movement.
No Longer Charting
Jeezis,
Rest in peace Mr. McFadden.
What a list of hits!
Platinum Record [Level 8]
Oh geez, another legend of soul is gone!! That's weird that he and Whitehead passed away so close together. I remember reading an article about McFadden coming to the scene of John's shooting as soon as he heard about it. I think he lived nearby.
RIP Gene McFadden. Ain't No Stoppin you guys now rockin it in heaven.
Disco Funk
Platinum Record [Level 8]
They also wrote and produced a lot of the Archie Bell & The Drells music in the late 70s.Originally Written by needlefingers
Disco Funk
Indie Release [Level 4]
What a great loss! The two of them together at that. They wrote some of my favorites.
Indie Release [Level 4]
Hearing about this has really sadden me just like everyone here! So far this year, the music world has lost R & B singers Lou Rawls, Wilson Pickett, and Gene McFadden who had a hand in disco in some capacity. May these people never be fogotten!
Chart Hit [Level 6]
Tragic indeed.Gamble and Huff may not have had the success they did without the songwriting contributions of McFadden & Whitehead.Another sad passing :cry:
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