John Whitehead (singer)
John Whitehead (July 10, 1948 – May 11, 2004) was an American singer and songwriter. He was best known as one of the key members of the Philadelphia International record label, and was one-half of the successful team of McFadden & Whitehead with Gene McFadden.[1]
John Whitehead | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 10, 1948 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | May 11, 2004 (aged 55) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Genres | Disco R&B Philly Soul |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter, record producer |
| Years active | 1968–2004 |
| Labels | Philadelphia International |
| Associated acts | McFadden & Whitehead Otis Redding Gamble & Huff The O'Jays |
McFadden and Whitehead wrote many hits for Philadelphia International artists such as The O'Jays and Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, and had their own hit with "Ain't No Stopping Us Now" in 1979.[2]
He was the father of both members of mid 1990s duo the Whitehead Brothers, and received an LL.D. from Bates College.
Death
On May 11, 2004, John Whitehead was fatally shot, possibly in a case of mistaken identity, while fixing a car outside his home in Philadelphia. Another man with him at the time suffered light injuries from the multiple shots fired by two gunmen, who fled the scene.[3] As of 2013, the murder remains unsolved.[4] Whitehead was 55 years old and had converted to Islam in 1996 and is buried in Mount Moriah Cemetery in Philadelphia.[5]
See also
References
- "John Whitehead | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
- "John Whitehead". The Independent. May 14, 2004. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
- "R&B singer John Whitehead shot to death". TODAY.com. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
- "John Whitehead (1948-2004) – Musician". friendsofmountmoriahcemetery.org. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
- "John Whitehead: "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now"". The Cemetery Traveller. February 22, 2014. Retrieved August 11, 2021.