Gene McFadden
Encyclopedia
Gene McFadden was an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. He is 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 John Whitehead
.
as a teenager and together they founded the Epsilons, a soul music
group. The group was discovered by Otis Redding
, whom acted as their manager. They later toured with Redding until his death in 1967, after which, they signed with Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff’s Philadelphia International record label. McFadden & Whitehead soon gained attention for their songwriting ability when their song "Back Stabbers
", recorded by The O'Jays
, went to No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100
. The duo wrote many songs for other Philadelphia International artists and had hits such as Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes
' "Wake Up Everybody (Part 1)
", The Intruders
' "I’ll Always Love My Mama," and their own, "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now
" (#1 R&B) in 1979. McFadden, along with Whitehead, was instrumental in defining the sound of Philadelphia soul
.
McFadden was diagnosed with liver
and lung cancer in 2004, and died from the disease at his home in the Mount Airy section of Philadelphia on January 27, 2006. He was survived by his wife Barbara, two daughters, and two sons.
McFadden & Whitehead
McFadden and Whitehead were an American songwriting, production, and recording duo, best known for their signature tune "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now"...
with John Whitehead
John Whitehead (singer)
John Whitehead was an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. 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...
.
Biography
McFadden met John WhiteheadJohn Whitehead (singer)
John Whitehead was an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. 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...
as a teenager and together they founded the Epsilons, a soul music
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
group. The group was discovered by Otis Redding
Otis Redding
Otis Ray Redding, Jr. was an American soul singer-songwriter, record producer, arranger and talent scout. He is considered one of the major figures in soul and R&B...
, whom acted as their manager. They later toured with Redding until his death in 1967, after which, they signed with Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff’s Philadelphia International record label. McFadden & Whitehead soon gained attention for their songwriting ability when their song "Back Stabbers
Back Stabbers (song)
"Back Stabbers" is the second single from the 1979 album Love Explosion by Tina Turner.The song, along with the other two singles released from Love Explosion, was largely disco-oriented and was overlooked by audiences both in Europe and the United States due to the so called "anti-disco backlash"...
", recorded by The O'Jays
The O'Jays
The O'Jays are an American R&B group from Canton, Ohio, formed in 1963 and originally consisting of Eddie Levert , Walter Williams , William Powell , Bobby Massey and Bill Isles. The O'Jays were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004, and The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005...
, went to No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
. The duo wrote many songs for other Philadelphia International artists and had hits such as Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes
Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes
Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes were an American singing group, one of the most popular Philadelphia soul groups of the 1970s. The group's repertoire included soul, R&B, doo-wop, and disco...
' "Wake Up Everybody (Part 1)
Wake Up Everybody (song)
"Wake Up Everybody" was covered in 1995 by British singer Sonia. It was produced by Steve Levine for fourth studio album Love Train - The Philly Album . The song was released as the album's first and final single. This single has two B-sides - "Show You the Way to Go" and "Nowhere Left to Hide"....
", The Intruders
The Intruders
The Intruders were an American soul music group most popular in the 1960s and 1970s. As one of the first groups to have hit songs under the direction of Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, they had a major influence on the development of Philadelphia soul....
' "I’ll Always Love My Mama," and their own, "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now
Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now
"Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now" is a disco song performed by R&B duo McFadden & Whitehead from their debut album, McFadden & Whitehead. They wrote and produced this along with keyboard player Jerry Cohen. Released from their self-titled debut album in 1979, the song spent a week at number one on the R&B...
" (#1 R&B) in 1979. McFadden, along with Whitehead, was instrumental in defining the sound of Philadelphia soul
Philadelphia soul
Philadelphia soul, sometimes called the Philadelphia Sound or Sweet Philly, is a style of soul music characterized by funk influences and lush instrumental arrangements, often featuring sweeping strings and piercing horns. The subtle sound of a glockenspiel can often be heard in the background of...
.
McFadden was diagnosed with liver
Liver cancer
Liver tumors or hepatic tumors are tumors or growths on or in the liver . Several distinct types of tumors can develop in the liver because the liver is made up of various cell types. These growths can be benign or malignant...
and lung cancer in 2004, and died from the disease at his home in the Mount Airy section of Philadelphia on January 27, 2006. He was survived by his wife Barbara, two daughters, and two sons.