John Whitehead (singer)

John Whitehead
Birth nameJohn Cavadus Whitehead
Born(1948-07-10)July 10, 1948
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedMay 11, 2004(2004-05-11) (aged 55)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
GenresDisco, R&B, Philly soul
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter, record producer
Years active1968–2004
LabelsPhiladelphia International

John Cavadus 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]

McFadden and Whitehead wrote many hits for Philadelphia International artists, including The O'Jays and Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, and had their own hit with "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now" in 1979.[2]

He was the father of both members of the Whitehead Brothers, a mid-1990s duo.

Death

On May 11, 2004, 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 2022, the murder remains unsolved.[4] Whitehead was 55 years old and had converted to Islam in 1996. He is buried in Mount Moriah Cemetery in Philadelphia.[5]

See also

References

  1. ^ "John Whitehead | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  2. ^ "John Whitehead". The Independent. May 14, 2004. Archived from the original on June 14, 2022. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  3. ^ "R&B singer John Whitehead shot to death". TODAY.com. May 12, 2004. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  4. ^ "'It still hurts': Family looking for answers nearly 20 years after murder of Philadelphia R&B star". fox29.com. WTXF-TV Fox29 Philadelphia. October 3, 2022. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  5. ^ "John Whitehead: "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now"". The Cemetery Traveller. February 22, 2014. Retrieved August 11, 2021.