John whitehead singer biography
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Their song, “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now” from that album reached number one on the R&B charts. It has been written that “people who make music together cannot really be enemies at least while the music lasts” – so let the music play.
John Whitehead was a star and a proven commodity with a track record of hit songs.
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.
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.
Many of John’s songs contain messages because music is the Universal language that can carry messages of love, hope, trust and compassion to the masses. from these social ills we must be free.
America needs to be delivered and John Whitehead delivers the Messages. In the late 60’s the group toured with Otis Redding until his untimely death in 1967.
His first marriage was to Anita Mosley in 1981, with whom he had three children before they separated.[17] He later married Elnor Whitehead around 1989, and she was his spouse at the time of his death in 2004.[26] The couple resided in Philadelphia's West Oak Lane neighborhood, where Whitehead maintained strong ties to his hometown roots.[3]Whitehead was a devoted father to at least six children from his marriages and relationships, including sons Kenny Whitehead and John Whitehead Jr.[11] His sons formed the early 1990s R&B duo Whitehead Brothers, inheriting their father's passion for Philadelphia soul music and releasing albums such as Serious (1994) and Red Hot (1997) on MCA Records.[27] The duo's work, including hits like "Your Love's So Good," reflected Whitehead's influence as a singer, songwriter, and producer in the Philly sound tradition.
Whitehead converted to Islam in 1996 and received an LL.D. He wrote and produced tracks for Freddie Jackson, including contributions to albums that blended quiet storm ballads with upbeat funk; for Melba Moore, extending their long-standing partnership with songs like those on her 1981 release What a Woman Needs; and for Beau Williams and Eric Gable, delivering smooth, radio-friendly singles that sustained the Philly soul essence amid the rise of new jack swing.
Whether talking to a cabbie in London or listening to the radio on a Tel Aviv beach, everyone knows John’s songs.
He appeared on the PBS (Public Broadcasting System) live show “MY MUSIC” from Atlantic city featuring the sound of Philadelphia. The two became successful record producers, songwriters and popular R&B recording artists.
In the 1960s the two formed a group called The Epsilons which included Gene’s cousin and a family friend.
In 1988, he released his debut solo album I Need Money Bad on Mercury Records, featuring the title track that reached moderate success on the R&B charts with its candid, groove-driven narrative about financial struggles.[24] He performed sporadically at nostalgia shows and corporate events, often reuniting briefly with Gene McFadden to capitalize on their duo's legacy.
America is not what it ought be. He is buried in Mount Moriah Cemetery in Philadelphia.
He was the father of both members of early 1990s duo the Whitehead Brothers.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Whitehead_(singer)
Nominated for three Grammy Awards, the late John Whitehead was an acclaimed singer and songwriter with 37 gold and platinum albums to his credit.
John was most famous for his inspirational Message songs, “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now” “Wake Up Everybody”, “For The Love of Money”, “Backstabbers” and many more.
somebody should be held accountable," while a lifelong friend, Anthony Williams, speculated that the perpetrators may have since died, noting "karma catches up."[3] The family has urged tips to the PhiladelphiaPoliceHomicide Unit, highlighting the emotional toll on relatives nearly two decades later.Following Whitehead's death, his funeral arrangements were handled privately, with burial at Mount Moriah Cemetery in Philadelphia, where he rests in Section M1, Row 10, Grave 1.[9] The local community, particularly in Philadelphia's music circles, responded with immediate tributes, including the establishment of the John Whitehead There's No Stoppin' the Music Scholarship Fund by his widow, Elnor, to honor his legacy and support aspiring artists.[26]
Legacy
Musical impact
John Whitehead, alongside Gene McFadden, played a pivotal role in defining the 1970s Philadelphia soul sound through their songwriting and performances, which masterfully blended gospel roots, funky rhythms, and socially conscious themes to create uplifting, message-driven music.[31][32] Their work at Philadelphia International Records emphasized orchestral arrangements with brass and strings, infusing soul with a sophisticated yet accessible energy that addressed empowerment and community resilience.[33] This fusion not only elevated the genre's production values but also made it a cornerstone of R&B's evolution during the era.[10]A prime example of their impact is the 1979 hit "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now," an empowerment anthem that captured the spirit of perseverance amid social challenges, originally intended for The O'Jays but recorded by the duo themselves.[34][35] The track's infectious disco-inflected groove and affirmative lyrics have led to widespread covers by artists including George Michael and Luther Vandross, as well as sampling in over 34 hip-hop and R&B productions, such as Big Daddy Kane's rendition and tracks by S.F.C.This music project can help to change the world through Music From the Heart of America.
John’s voice is special – Barry White, Sam Cooke, Lou Rawls, Luther Vandross – all rolled into one, but with his own unique style.
John Whitehead was a great performer in concert whether at home in Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love, or out on the road at Connecticut’s Foxwoods Casino, in New York City, Atlantic City, Boca Raton, Chicago or Los Angeles.
Local radio stations broadcasting R&B and soul hits further shaped his tastes, exposing him to artists who would influence his style. Posthumously, Whitehead's final recording, the track "Show Me the Money," was released in 2009 as part of a McFadden & Whitehead EP on Newtrend Unlimited, showcasing his vocal prowess in a funky, motivational style completed before his 2004 death.[22][1][25]
Personal life
Family and children
John Whitehead was married twice during his life.The Messages CD contains many potential hit songs with timely motivational messages. This enduring popularity underscores its role as a motivational staple across genres.Whitehead and McFadden's extensive catalog, comprising over 400 songs, profoundly influenced artists like The O'Jays— for whom they penned hits such as "Back Stabbers" and "For the Love of Money"—and continues to resonate in modern R&B through its thematic depth and rhythmic innovation.[10][36] Their contributions helped shape the Philadelphia sound's legacy, inspiring contemporary acts to incorporate similar blends of funk, gospel, and social commentary in their work.[31]
Posthumous recognition
In 2017, McFadden & Whitehead, the duo featuring John Whitehead, were posthumously inducted into the Philadelphia Music Walk of Fame as part of the Class of 2017, recognizing their enduring contributions to the city's musical heritage.[10]Whitehead's music has maintained significant popularity in the years following his death, exemplified by the 2009 posthumous release of the single "Show Me the Money," which was recorded prior to his passing and issued on the NewTrend UnLtd label.[10] His sons, Kenny and the late Johnny Whitehead, who performed as the R&B duo Whitehead Brothers in the 1990s, have played a key role in preserving and extending his legacy through their own musical endeavors, including original compositions that echo the Philadelphia soul sound.[27]Memorials to Whitehead include his burial site at Mount Moriah Cemetery in Philadelphia, where his grave in Section M1, Row 10, Grave 1, serves as a notable landmark for fans and features a prominent marker acknowledging his career as a singer and songwriter.[4] In 2025, a YouTube documentary titled "John Whitehead: The TRAGIC Story Of A Lost Soul Icon," released on September 25, further highlighted his life and the ongoing public interest in his unsolved murder, drawing renewed attention to his cultural impact.[37]John Whitehead
John Whitehead (July 10, 1948 – May 11, 2004) was an American singer and songwriter.
With his high school classmate, Gene, the partnership of McFadden and Whitehead was formed. from Bates College.
On May 11, 2004, John Whitehead was murdered. Now a new CD album is complete and available with many of of John’s last great songs never before released.