Soul star Gene McFadden dies at 56 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

vashti1999 · 02-01-2006, 08:59 PM

Soul star McFadden dies aged 56

Soul star Gene McFadden, best known for singing and co-writing the 1979 hit Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now, has died from cancer at the age of 56.

The R&B star, half of the songwriting duo McFadden and Whitehead, died at his home in Philadelphia, it has emerged.

Discovered by Otis Redding, McFadden and Whitehead wrote a string of hits, including Back Stabbers, For the Love of Money and Wake Up Everybody.

The musician is survived by a wife and four children.

John Whitehead was shot dead in Philadelphia in 2004, while changing a tire on his car.

"Their talent was indispensable and their music capabilities were uniquely flexible," said a statement by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, founders of soul music label Philadelphia International Records.

"Not only could they write sensational singles but they could write amazing album songs, too."

Platinum sales

School friends McFadden and Whitehead grew up in Philadelphia, forming The Epsilons in their teens and singing backing vocals on a two-year tour with Otis Redding in the 1960s.

In the 1970s the pair signed on as in-house songwriters at Philadelphia International where their combined songwriting talents achieved widespread gold and platinum sales.

Subsequent years saw them working with music stars including James Brown, Gloria Gaynor, Gladys Knight and Stevie Wonder.

Ain't No Stoppin' Us now, which also featured keyboard player Jerry Cohen, became a global hit in 1979 entering the top 10 on both sides of the Atlantic.

The track sold more than eight million records and was nominated for a Grammy Award.

It since been covered by singers including the late Luther Vandross and rapper Big Daddy Kane.

Dean Winchester · 02-01-2006, 09:43 PM

that's really sad that they both died so close to each other at such a young age, "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now" is a classic

Cactus Jack · 02-01-2006, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HUNG UP!

that's really sad that they both died so close to each other at such a young age, "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now" is a classic

Ditto

RIP Gene

Pitooey · 02-01-2006, 11:47 PM

Oh how sad.....

I always hear that record on the radio.

Ireneparalegal · 02-01-2006, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HUNG UP!

that's really sad that they both died so close to each other at such a young age, "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now" is a classic

That's a song that came out when I was a teen. I never get tired of hearing that song. So sad. May he rest in peace.

musicradio77 · 02-02-2006, 09:24 PM

What a loss with John Whitehead. John died first in 2004. And then 2 years later, he died of cancer. They both wrote music for the O'Jays, Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, Teddy Pendegrass and others during their days at Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff's Philadelphia International Records. They had their one hit in 1979 called "Ain't No Stopping Us Now" and it was a classic. May both live in their heaven's above.

vashti1999 · 02-02-2006, 10:09 PM

1.)I know this is a serious thread and 2.)I know what musicradio77 was trying to say, but this:

Quote:

Originally Posted by musicradio77

John died first in 2004. And then 2 years later, he died of cancer.

just gave me one of the best laugh out loud laughs I've had in a while.

Steve M. · 02-04-2006, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HUNG UP!

that's really sad that they both died so close to each other at such a young age, "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now" is a classic

During the NFL playoff runup to Super Bowl XIV, they came up with an alternative version as a fight song for the Philadelphia Eagles. The lyrics were changed to refer to quarterbacks and field goals, and one verse was changed to "I want you all to listen, listen, to every, every play." Philly radio stations played it a lot. Chants of "Go, Eagles, Go!" - probably from the Liberty Belles cheerleaders - were added.

isiahthomas · 02-08-2006, 05:44 PM

Vashti1999 don't pay Musicradio77 any attention. He's ********. He's always posting stuff that somebody already knows. I've told him about this several times but he continues to post stuff that people already know. He might be mentally slow LOL. RIP McFadden. Biz Markie sampled Ain't No Stoppin Us Now song for Let Me Turn You On song on his All Samples Cleared album. Biz be singin on the song to a woman LOL. Doctor Dre And Ed Lover who used to host Yo MTV Raps also sampled Ain't No Stoppin Us Now for their song Back Up Off Me.

02-01-2006, 08:59 PM	#1
vashti1999 NY METS - #1 Forum Fanatic Join Date: Oct 14, 2003 Location: The world's greatest city - New York City Posts: 11,404	Soul star Gene McFadden dies at 56 Soul star McFadden dies aged 56 Soul star Gene McFadden, best known for singing and co-writing the 1979 hit Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now, has died from cancer at the age of 56. The R&B star, half of the songwriting duo McFadden and Whitehead, died at his home in Philadelphia, it has emerged. Discovered by Otis Redding, McFadden and Whitehead wrote a string of hits, including Back Stabbers, For the Love of Money and Wake Up Everybody. The musician is survived by a wife and four children. John Whitehead was shot dead in Philadelphia in 2004, while changing a tire on his car. "Their talent was indispensable and their music capabilities were uniquely flexible," said a statement by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, founders of soul music label Philadelphia International Records. "Not only could they write sensational singles but they could write amazing album songs, too." Platinum sales School friends McFadden and Whitehead grew up in Philadelphia, forming The Epsilons in their teens and singing backing vocals on a two-year tour with Otis Redding in the 1960s. In the 1970s the pair signed on as in-house songwriters at Philadelphia International where their combined songwriting talents achieved widespread gold and platinum sales. Subsequent years saw them working with music stars including James Brown, Gloria Gaynor, Gladys Knight and Stevie Wonder. Ain't No Stoppin' Us now, which also featured keyboard player Jerry Cohen, became a global hit in 1979 entering the top 10 on both sides of the Atlantic. The track sold more than eight million records and was nominated for a Grammy Award. It since been covered by singers including the late Luther Vandross and rapper Big Daddy Kane. Attached Images
	__________________ .

02-01-2006, 11:47 PM	#4
Pitooey Member Forum Star Join Date: Feb 15, 2001 Location: Rocking in Transylvania. Posts: 15,042	Oh how sad..... I always hear that record on the radio.
	__________________ Pitooey... AKA JennyLee - I love the Monkees all over again! *SAY NO TO DRUGS* Jesus saves...

02-02-2006, 09:24 PM	#6
musicradio77 Disney Expert Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 14, 2003 Location: Brooklyn, NY USA Posts: 6,475	What a loss with John Whitehead. John died first in 2004. And then 2 years later, he died of cancer. They both wrote music for the O'Jays, Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, Teddy Pendegrass and others during their days at Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff's Philadelphia International Records. They had their one hit in 1979 called "Ain't No Stopping Us Now" and it was a classic. May both live in their heaven's above.
	__________________ Musicradio77 Productions

02-01-2006, 09:43 PM	#2
Dean Winchester Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 28, 2003 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 14,803	that's really sad that they both died so close to each other at such a young age, "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now" is a classic

02-08-2006, 05:44 PM	#9
isiahthomas Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Aug 20, 2002 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 10,704	Vashti1999 don't pay Musicradio77 any attention. He's ********. He's always posting stuff that somebody already knows. I've told him about this several times but he continues to post stuff that people already know. He might be mentally slow LOL. RIP McFadden. Biz Markie sampled Ain't No Stoppin Us Now song for Let Me Turn You On song on his All Samples Cleared album. Biz be singin on the song to a woman LOL. Doctor Dre And Ed Lover who used to host Yo MTV Raps also sampled Ain't No Stoppin Us Now for their song Back Up Off Me.