Soul star Gene McFadden has died from cancer, aged 46, at his home in Philadelphia. Probably best known for co-writing and performing 1979 hit 'Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now', the singer was one half of songwriting duo McFadden and Whitehead whose string of hits also includes 'Back Stabbers', 'For The Love of Money' and 'Wake Up Everybody'.
McFadden and his songwriting partner John Whitehead formed The Epsilons in their teens and later sang backing vocals for Otis Redding. In the seventies the pair became inhouse songwriters at Phildelphia International Records, and went on to work with such stars as James Brown, Gladys Knight, Gloria Gaynor and Stevie Wonder. Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, the founders of the record label said in a statement "Their talent was indispensable and their music capabilities were uniquely flexible. Not only could they write sensational singles but they could write amazing album songs too."
Whitehead died two years ago, shot dead in Philadelphia whilst changing a tyre on his car. McFadden is survived by a wife and four children.