McFadden & Whitehead were a songwriting and production duo, best known for their signature hit “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now.” They had a successful career in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Unfortunately, both members have passed away; Gene McFadden died of cancer in 2006, and John Whitehead was murdered in 2004.
Gene McFadden and John Whitehead were prominent figures in the music industry, particularly during the heyday of Philadelphia soul. They started out as members of the group “The Epsilons,” which toured with Otis Redding until his death in 1967. Afterward, they became staff writers for Philadelphia International Records, where they penned hits for acts like Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, The O’Jays, and Archie Bell & the Drells.
Their biggest success came with their own hit, “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now,” which they released in 1979. The song became an anthem of empowerment and reached number one on the R&B charts, also crossing over to the Billboard Hot 100, where it peaked at number thirteen.
Despite their success, the duo faced challenges in their later careers, with the changing music industry and personal issues. John Whitehead’s life came to a tragic end on May 11, 2004, when he was shot and killed while working on a car outside his home in Philadelphia. The case remains unsolved. Gene McFadden continued to work in the music industry but eventually succumbed to liver and lung cancer on January 27, 2006.
Their legacy lives on through their music and the influence they had on the R&B and soul genres, with “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now” enduring as a classic hit that continues to inspire and uplift audiences around the world.