Johnnie Wilder Jr.
Johnnie James Wilder Jr. (July 3, 1949 – May 17, 2006)[1] was the co-founder and co-lead vocalist of the R&B/funk group Heatwave, who were popular during the late 1970s with hits such as "Boogie Nights", "Mind Blowing Decisions", "Always and Forever", and "The Groove Line".
Johnnie Wilder Jr. | |
|---|---|
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| Background information | |
| Born | July 3, 1949 Dayton, Ohio, United States |
| Died | May 13, 2006 (aged 56) Dayton, Ohio, United States |
Life
He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War era.
On February 24, 1979, a van broadsided Wilder's car, paralyzing him from the neck down and hospitalizing him for a year.[2][3]
During the 1980s and 1990s, Wilder went on to record other albums with the group, as well as an album with his brother entitled Sound of Soul in 1989.[4] Later he began a solo gospel career, singing a cappella on the albums My Goal and One More Day.[5] The latter album featured a re-recording of the song "All I Am" written by Lynsey de Paul and Susan Sheridan, that was originally recorded for the Heatwave album, Candles.[6] Referring to My Goal and One More Day, he stated "The music that I'm doing is my way of giving thanks to God for being alive".[2]
He died in his sleep on May 13, 2006, at his home in Dayton, Ohio, aged 56, from complications of his paralysis. He is survived by his wife, Rosalyn.
References
- Rock, Doc. "The Dead Rock Stars Club 2006 January To June". Thedeadrockstarsclub.com. Retrieved 6 May 2017.
- "Johnnie Wilder Jnr". Independent.co.uk. June 19, 2006. Archived from the original on 2022-06-14. Retrieved 28 July 2019.
- Clayson, Alan (May 19, 2006). "Obituary: Johnnie Wilder Jnr". Theguardian.com. Retrieved 28 July 2019.
- "Heatwave Frontman Johnnie Wilder Jr. Dies". Billboard. Retrieved 28 July 2019.
- "Johnnie Wilder Biography". Shalondainc.com.
- "Johnnie Wilder Jr. - One More Day". Discogs. Retrieved 6 May 2017.