John Whitehead of 'McFadden and Whitehead' fame shot dead
Yet another of our prominant singer/songwriters is needlessly taken away from us. If you were a part of the disco crase of the mid to late 70s, then you would know John Whitehead. He co-wrote one of the biggest disco hits in recent memory with the anthem 'Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now' and now he's dead, shot and killed last Tuesday (May 11th) for no apparent resaon.
Mr. Whitehead, 55, and another man Ohmed Johnson were working on a car when they were shot by two gunmen. Police confirmed their attackers fled the scene and they are conducting a search for the men. Police said the gunmen fired a series of bullets; a young neighborhood girl said she heard about a dozen shots.
Whitehead was shot in the neck and collapsed while Johnson was shot in the buttocks and is listed as in good condition early Wednesday, a hospital spokeswoman stated.
His daughter Dawn pleaded at the scene, "Why did they do this to my dad?. I just talked to him yesterday ... He was a fun person. Who would want to kill him?" The Police had no leads or motive for the shooting at the present time.
Gene McFadden, Whitehead's partner in the group, went to the scene in the city's West Oak Lane neighborhood and stood there trembling, WPVI-TV reported. Early in tehir careers the two men formed a group called the Epsilons before being discovered by legendary singer Otis Redding. They toured with him in the 1960s.
The duo never duplicated the success they had with 'Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now' but had success as writers and producers writing several hit songs for other acts in the 1970s, including The O'Jays 'Back Stabbers' and 'For the Love of Money', The Intruders 'I'll Always Love My Mamma', Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes 'Wake Up Everybody', 'Bad Luck' and 'Where Are All My Friends'..
'Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now' was a No. 1 hit on the R&B chart and reached No. 13 on the pop chart and was used as the unofficial anthem for the Philadelphia Phillies charge to a World Series championship in 1980 and the Philadelphia Eagles as they reached the Super Bowl in 1981.
- - Source: USAtoday.com
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Another 'American Idol' uproar as Latoya London is voted off
Although the idea is great, it's situations like this that makes it a false pretense of who's voting for who. Case and point is the latest dimuckle on the Fox TV reality show 'American Idol'
Last Tuesdays show had four remaining four finalists left Latoya London, Jasmine Trias, Fantasia Barrino and Diana DeGarmo and it was clear to anyone who knows talent and vocal presence that Diana DeGarmo or Jasmine Trias should of gotten the boot but to everyones surprise it was Latoya London who is voted off - the best of the bunch (and my pick as the eventual winner).
How could this happen? well it goes to show the American public votes in favour of popularity rather than talent. Even judge Paula Abdul was in tears of the news of her voting off and so you're left to ponder just how cruel it can be when it comes to the american public. Ask anyone on the night who was the best there and you would get the likely winner of Latoya but in today's society talent just doesn't seems to count (William Hung can atest to that aspect).It's a fab craze I feel and an injustice to talented performers everywhere. Just goes to prove you don't have to be talented to win!!
- - Source: hhso.com
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Kelly Rowland to follow Solange's que to 'get hitched'
Well Solange Knowles should be smiling now as the spotlight turns away from her and to another of the Destiny's Child clan. Kelly Rowland one third of the group Destiny's Child and footballer Roy Williams, a safety for the Dallas Cowboys are getting hitched, according to Kelly's label, Columbia Records, it was announced last Friday (May 15th).
Rowland said she and her fiance haven't set a date for the wedding but her fiance, Williams did propose in New York on Monday, in a room filled with friends, including fellow Destiny's Child singer Beyonce (herself a speculated rumor of walking down the isle with current beau Jay-Z although it IS just that - a rumor). The two, both 23, have been together about six months.Rowland won a Grammy last year for collaborating with Nelly on the hit Dilemma and released a solo album, Simply Deep, in 2002. She, Beyonce and Michelle Williams are headed back to the studio next month to record a new Destiny's Child album.
Williams is going into his third season with the Cowboys and was a Pro Bowl selection last year.
- Source: mytelus.com
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'Wear my Name' - Beyonce ventures into the clothing industry
Speaking of Beyonce, the singer/songwriter/producer/actress/spokesperson can now add another monike to her growing body of talents - fashion desginer, as well (let's face it is there something she can't do right now?).
According to reports, Beyonce and her mother, Tina Knowles, who is the designer of many of her daughter's outfits, announced a joint venture to create a contemporary women's brand with Arthur and Jason Rabin, founders of manufacturer 'Wear Me' Apparel/Kids Headquarters.Said Beyoce in a statement - "My mother and I share a love of fashion and style, and with this brand we're going to be able to share our vision of what is truly beautiful, our line will consist of fashions that I enjoy wearing and I want them to be appealing to my fans as well." The name of the new brand has not yet been released.
Mother and daughter will play an active role in the creative direction and inspiration for the collections, while the Rabins will provide the infrastructure for licensing and brand management. The label's first sportswear collection should be in stores in 2005, with an eye toward eventually expanding into accessories, jewelry, lingerie and swimwear.
- Source:soulnotes.net