Biography
McFadden met 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.
Read more about this topic: Gene McFadden
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