Gene McFadden, 56, R&B Singer
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R&B vocalist and songwriter Gene McFadden, best known for singing and co-writing the 1979 smash “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now,” died Friday in Philadelphia after a battle with cancer. He was 56.
He and John Whitehead formed a group called the Epsilons in their youth and toured with Otis Redding in the 1960s. They became a prominent songwriting and performing duo at Philadelphia International Records, the soul music powerhouse.
“Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now” hit No. 1 on the R &B chart and No. 13 on the pop charts. The duo also wrote several hit songs performed by others, including “Back Stabbers” for the O’Jays and “Wake Up Everybody” for Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes.
Whitehead was fatally shot in May 2004 while he was working on a vehicle in the city’s West Oak Lane section.
Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff cofounded Philadelphia International Records, the label that produced a string of hits in the 1960s and ’70s.
McFadden is survived by his wife, Barbara, 57, two sons and two daughters.
“My dad was laid back and cool,” said Casandra McFadden, one of his daughters. “He was a really private man and really about his family.”
