...Whitehead is best remembered for "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now," a song he recorded with longtime partner Gene McFadden as McFadden and Whitehead. Though the two had worked as writers and producers in the recording industry for more than a decade, they didn't get around to recording a debut album until 1979. The self-titled set included the hit, which reached Number One on the R&B charts and Number Thirteen on the pop charts. A year later it also became something of an anthem for the Philadelphia Phillies' victorious World Series run.
Despite the immediate notoriety the song gave McFadden and Whitehead, their R&B roots go back into the Sixties, where as the Epsilons they toured with Otis Redding. The two fell in with the Philadelphia International label, where they were among the architects of the Philly soul sound. As producers and writers McFadden and Whitehead contributed hits like "Backstabbers" to the O'Jays, as well as inking songs for Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes, the Intruders and numerous others.
The news reports will mostly focus on his biggest pop hit "Ain't No Stopping Us Now," but Whitehead's impact as a songwriter goes much deeper, along with his partner Gene McFadden. Other gems he blessed us with:
The O'Jays - "For the Love of Money" Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes - "Bad Luck" The O'Jays - "Backstabbers" The Intruders - "I'll Always Love My Mamma" Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes - "Wake Up Everybody"
