Traveling the LATE TRAIN!

[Edie Antoinette]

John Whitehead Biography

Renowned singer songwriter, John Whitehead, wrote and performed many songs that gained national and international acclaim. "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now" is just one of John's many mega hits. John was nominated three times for Grammy Awards.

It was John Whitehead's love of music that kept him going in the industry for years. At age sixteen, he toured with Otis Redding, who also managed him along with his group, "The Epsilons". After Otis' death, John was managed by Guilda Woods, the wife of popular Philadelphia disc jockey Georgie Woods. John and his group made his first recording on the Stax label entitled, "The Echo," a record that brought the group local fame. Gene McFadden and John Whitehead were the remaining members of The Epsilons, whose name later changed to the "The talk of the Town". John then became affiliated with the production team of Gamble and Huff and the "Sound of Philadelphia". The rest is history. The team of McFadden and Whitehead wrote their first hit, "The Backstabbers" for the O'Jays, which became a gold record. It would be the first of many (37) Gold and Platinum hit records for the team of McFadden and Whitehead and Philadelphia International Records.

After the Backstabbers was written, McFadden and Whitehead went on to write songs for the Backstabbers album, which also went Platinum. Songwriting was natural for John and he began writing songs for Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, The Intruders, Billy Paul, Teddy Pendergrass, The Jacksons, Archie Bell and The Drells, The Futures, Lou Rawls, and Ms Jean Carne. John also wrote and produced for Hush Productions recording artists, Freddie Jackson, Melba Moore, Beau Williams and Eric Gable.

John Whitehead performed live around the world and at home in Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love for such events as the Philadelphia 76ers' 2001 NBA playoffs and the 2002 NBA All-Star Basketball game. For three years running, John performed at NBA all-star Ray Allen's Ray of Hope Foundation Basketball Tournament. John performed on the Oprah Winfrey TV Show not long ago and was featured on the VH-1 Special, "Where are they now?". John's new CD is entitled "Messages" and it includes such great inspirational songs as, "Let Freedom Ring", "Stand Tall" and a remake of John's "Wake Up Everybody". Let Freedom Ring is a duet with Israeli singing sensation, "Rita" and this song was recently selected as the leading song for the program for the Rally for the Troops at the Washington Mall sponsored by the Citizens United Foundation, April 2003.

Music is the universal language and John's message songs have universal appeal. John's favorite quotation is, "People who make music together cannot be enemies as long as the music lasts." So let the music play!

 

 

John Whitehead was shot dead Tuesday, May 11, 2004, in Philadelphia.

Whitehead, 55, and another man were working on a vehicle when they were shot by two gunmen, police said. The assailants fled.

The names Gene McFadden and John Whitehead should be familiar to anyone who has been remotely connected to the music industry during the 70's. They wrote and produced some of the most powerful R&B hits of this decade.

As young men they formed a group called the Epsilons and had a hit called "The Echo". They had the good fortune to be discovered by the late great Otis Reading, touring with him during the late 60's until his unfortunate death.

"The Echo"
Gene and John then returned to Philly International Records where they wrote hit after hit, the first being "Back Stabbers" for the O'Jays. It became Number One across the board in one week.

After that, hits like "For the Love of Money," "I'll Always Love My Mamma," "Bad Luck," "Wake Up Everybody," "Where Are All My Friends," "The More I Want," "Cold, Cold World" were written and produced for artists like Teddy Pendergrass, The Intruders, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, The O'Jays, Gladys Knight and The Pips, The Jacksons, James Brown, Stevie Wonder, Lou Rawls, and Archie Bell and The Drells, just to name a few.

Then McFadden & Whitehead wrote and sang "Ain't No Stopping Us Now" which sold more than 8 million records and was nominated for a Grammy Award. They sang the song on the "Oprah Winfrey Show" when the program was featuring the most favorite hits of the 70's.

Notable songs include ---
Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now
I Got the Love
You're My Someone to Love
I've Been Pushed Aside
Got to Change
Do You Want to Dance?
Just Wanna Love You Baby
Mr. Music
This Is My Song
Rainy Night in Georgia

 

Note from Edie:
I stumbled upon John Whitehead's baby boi's today and was knocked OUT of my chair! Naturally I started hunting for background bio's and stuff, only to discover they are the progeny of this one half of the famous Philly duo. Then, I was knocked out the 'other' side of my seat to learn Whitehead was murdered! I am lookin' soooo crazy yall. *sigh* (As a sidenote, too, I can't even hear McFadden & Whitehead without thinking about Foxy..*UD'rs will know what I mean*....

Anyway, I have the Whitehead talents on the Main tearing UP some video, 'Forget I Was A "G"...Superb video..I am bobbin to thee BEAT, ya heard???? Check it out, and thanks for taking the time to read this info on their talented Daddy..♥

[Virgo91261]

"Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now" was huge the year I graduated from high school. (I'm dating myself but so what...lol.) I remember one of the local DJs saying that the song should be the new national Black anthem. There'll always be a place for "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing," but I could see the DJ's point. Whenever I hear "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now," it always uplifts my mood because it's such a positive song. I knew that John Whitehead and Gene McFadden were prolific songwriters, yet I had no idea how prolific until I read this blog. May they both rest in peace.

[gmack]

guess I have to hang around oooh well pay back...lol

[Edie Antoinette]

I love "I Hope That We Can Be Together Soon"..so I threw it in..lol..Enjoy!

1. 10 - Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes - Wake Up Everybody
2. 05 - Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes - Hope That We Can Be Together Soon

[Edie Antoinette]

btw: I love Give The People What They Want...that is a JAM!!!

[Edie Antoinette]

They were so talented ...let me go get you all's favorites. I love Wake Up Everybody too.
Thanks Tw0 and Sole..and the pic of Foxy brings tears to my eyes. It seems so strange without her. Thanks for posting it Solebaby...

Remember how she used to call Donny's little son her husband? LOL!!!!

[Shelley "SoleMann" King]

Beautiful Blog and i remember hearing the news of John Whiteheads murder, so sad...Everytime i hear ain't no stopping us now, i too am reminded of Foxy, she will always be missed...

[gmack]

I love Wake up everybody

[Edie Antoinette]

I miss Foxy...this one and Atomic Dog always remind me of her. Wonder how her sons are doing.

[saraphen]

That's Foxy's song!!

[Edie Antoinette]

Enjoy!

1. 01-the ojays-back stabbers
2. 02-the ojays-992 arguments
3. 03-the ojays-love train
4. 04-the ojays-time to get down
5. 05-the ojays-put your hands together
6. 06-the ojays-for the love of money
7. 07-the ojays-sunshine
8. 08-the ojays-give the people what they want
9. 09-the ojays-survival
10. 10-the ojays-i love music
11. 11-the ojays-livin for the weekend
12. 12-the ojays-stairway to heaven
13. 15-the ojays-the big gangster
14. 16-the ojays-message in our music
15. 14-the ojays-use ta be my girl
16. 13-the ojays-darlin darlin baby (sweet tender love)