obituary
Page: 3
Veteran record label executive Joe McFadden, who worked for decades at companies including EMI Music and Capitol Records, died March 11 following a long illness. He was 77.
McFadden launched his career at EMI in 1975 and later worked at Capitol Records as senior vp of sales and field marketing. While at the latter label, he worked with acts including Paul McCartney, Bonnie Raitt, Bob Seger, Megadeth, Duran Duran, Beastie Boys, Radiohead, Foo Fighters, Coldplay and Iron Maiden.
In 2007, McFadden departed Capitol to open an independent consultancy, The Hammer LLC, where he worked with Punch Andrews and Mike Boila as a sales and marketing consultant for Seger. From 2007 to 2008, McFadden was also in charge of sales, marketing and promotions for Coldplay’s Viva La Vida album and world tour.
Trending on Billboard
McFadden joined Better Noise Music in 2008 as chief commercial officer. In that role, he oversaw operations, strategic planning and artist development for acts including Five Finger Death Punch, Mötley Crüe, Papa Roach, The Hu and Buckcherry.
Prior to entering the major label system, McFadden received an education in the music business through his father, Jack McFadden, with whom he worked to manage artists including Buck Owens and Merle Haggard from their home base in Bakersfield, Calif. He went on to earn a business administration and management degree from Fresno State University.
“Joe McFadden was more than just a colleague; he was a dear friend and an invaluable partner in our journey together since we first met in 1987,” said Better Noise Music founder Allen Kovac, who worked with McFadden in various capacities for more than 30 years.
Kovac added, “Joe admired my clarity in marketing, but what I valued most was his unwavering honesty and practical thinking. Together, we navigated the challenging waters of the music industry, working on projects like Richard [Marx] and Duran Duran. At times when many doubted, Joe stood firmly by my side as a label executive, always ready to open doors and create opportunities for us to succeed.” (Kovac’s full tribute is below.)
McFadden is survived by his wife Ellen McFadden; his sister Lana Waltman; his sons Jonathan McFadden, Jeffrey McFadden and David Torello; his daughter Sara Torello Hart; and grandchildren Jeffrey McFadden Jr., Maci McFadden Stanford, Vivian Hart and Elijah Hart.
A service will be held Saturday (March 22) at 1:15 p.m. at Church of the Recession at Forest Lawn in Glendale, Calif. The live stream can be viewed here. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in McFadden’s honor to St. Jude’s Hospital, which he supported throughout his life.
Allen Kovac tribute:
Joe McFadden was more than just a colleague; he was a dear friend and an invaluable partner in our journey together since we first met in 1987.
I still vividly recall that day in the bleachers of a gym in Philadelphia. I was a relatively unknown manager on the rise, working with Richard Marx, while Joe was with CEMA Distribution, quietly making his mark. As we listened to Richard perform, something remarkable happened. Joe, who initially struck me as understated, became animated and vocal, pointing at Richard and proclaiming, “That kid is going to be a star.” From that moment on, a bond was forged between us—two believers in the power of music and vision.
Joe admired my clarity in marketing, but what I valued most was his unwavering honesty and practical thinking. Together, we navigated the challenging waters of the music industry, working on projects like Richard and Duran Duran. At times when many doubted, Joe stood firmly by my side as a label executive, always ready to open doors and create opportunities for us to succeed.
When I took the leap to start my own record company, one of my first hires was, without question, Joe. He was not just an employee; he was the foundation upon which we built our dreams. At our retreats, where new ideas were often met with skepticism, Joe would be the voice of reason, encouraging everyone to listen to my vision and reminding them that I saw possibilities they might have missed. His confidence in me gave me strength, and I will forever be grateful for that.
Every morning at our retreats, Joe would be the first to rise and greet the day. He would come down to breakfast with a smile, often sharing his fondness for the wonderful pillows in my master guest bedroom. He always got that room because of the deep respect I had for him, just as I cherished ending each night with my best scotch, a tradition we shared and enjoyed together.
Joe’s spirit, enthusiasm, and unwavering support have left an indelible mark on all of us. He was a true champion for those he believed in, and today, as we remember him, let us carry forward his legacy of belief, honesty, and camaraderie in our own lives and work.
Joe, thank you for being my partner, my friend, and a guiding light in our industry. You will be profoundly missed, but your influence will live on through each of us.
Rest in peace.
Long-time indie music distributor Sam Wesley Phillips passed away in Jackson, Miss., on Feb. 28 after facing multiple health issues over the last few years. He was 74.
Better known to long-time Billboard readers by his nickname, Skip, Phillips worked his entire life, beginning at age 9, for his family company, Select-O-Hits, the 65-year-old independent music distributor based in Memphis. He was the third son of Lucile and Tom Phillips, who, together with Tom’s brother Sam Phillips — the Sun Records founder — started Select-O-Hits in 1960. Tom eventually bought out Sam’s uncle, the elder Sam Phillips, in the early 1970s.
Sam Wesley Phillips began working at Select-O-Hits first as a janitor/stockboy, then a salesman, followed by a role as studio engineer/producer. Sometime in the 1980s, he and his brother Johnny bought out their father, upon which Sam became the president of the company, which is still going strong as a music distributor today.
Trending on Billboard
Phillips’ family provided the below remembrance to Billboard.
Sam was born February 20, 1951, in Mobile, Alabama, to Lucile and Tom Phillips…Sam always had that mischievous twinkle in his eyes. Whether it was at school or working at the Record Shop on Chelsea, he found ways to enjoy life his way, but no one worked harder during those sixty-five years than he did.
Sam met his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Debby, at Frayser High School in 1967. Debby and Sam were married in 1969 and were the loving parents to five children, Tiffany (Tommy) Couch of Jackson, MS, Lesle (Matthew) Heinz of Memphis, Ashlee Phillips (Will Brewer) of Memphis, Courtney (Stephen) Smith of Frisco, TX and Wes (Lauren) Phillips of Memphis.
Sam lived his life with humor, kindness, strength, honesty, a passionate love for music and even more passionate love for his family. He was most happy in a home filled with his family laughing and loving loudly; his children and grandchildren were his greatest treasures.
Sam was preceded in death by his wife Debby, his son Wes, his parents and brother Tom. Left to cherish his memory in addition to his daughters are his siblings Johnny (Sandra) Phillips, Melinda Snipes, Irene Barg, Kathy (Harry) Gordon; Jennifer (Brad) Cullison; grandchildren John Thomas (Jordan) and Peyton Couch; Carter (Meghan) and Sam Heinz; Coby and Presley Bennett; Ethan and Aidan Phillips; Addison, Graham and Sadie Smith and Liam and Eden Cullison, his great granddaughter Vivian, loving cousins, nieces, nephews, sister-in-law, brother-in-law and too many friends to count.
We will miss his laugh and his kind, funny, strong spirit every single day but are thankful knowing that he’s now at peace, with no more pain and with his one true love, Debby, and their son, Wes.
The family requests that memorials in his honor be made to Wounded Warrior Project.
American Idol contestant Doug Kiker has died at age 32. The singer’s sister, Angela Evans, shared the news with a Facebook post on Wednesday, writing, “It is with a heavy heart that we have to announce the passing of my brother Douglas Kiker.” “He was sooo loved and will be missed by so many!” she […]
K-pop singer and songwriter Wheesung (born Choi Whee-sung), was found dead in his home in Seoul, South Korea on Monday night (March 10). According to The Hollywood Reporter, no cause of death has been determined yet and foul play is not suspected, with Seoul police saying a “substantial” amount of time appeared to have passed before the singer’s body was discovered.
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
“The artist Wheesung has left us. He was found in cardiac arrest at his residence and was later pronounced dead,” his agency, Tajoy Entertainment, said in a statement. The singer’s mother reportedly discovered his body and called emergency services.
Wheesung rose to prominence in the early 2000s with his soulful vocals and smooth R&B style in a career cut short by a drug-use scandal.
Trending on Billboard
Born on Feb. 5, 1982, Wheesung made his performance debut in 1999 with the K-pop boy band A4. After a short stint in the group, Wheesung broke solo in 2000 and released his debut single, the emotional R&B ballad “Can’t We?” in 2002, followed by his R&B/soul-inspired debut solo album, Like a Movie.
After winning best new artist at the 2002 Golden Disc Awards, he dropped his sophomore effort, It’s Real, in 2003, expanding his sound to include hip-hop and pop vibes. Several more albums followed in 2004 (For the Moment), 2005 (Love… Love… ? Love… !) and 2007 (Eternal Essence of Music); his most recent release was the 2018 EP In Space.
Wheesung bounced between a number of different management companies in the ensuing years and a decade into his solo run reverted to his early career stage name, Realslow. His career went into a downswing in 2013 when he was accused of using the surgical anesthetic propofol — the drug that contributed to Michael Jackson’s death — for several years for what he said was treatment for a herniated disk and hair loss.
Within days in March and April in 2020, Wheesung was found passed out in public bathrooms near syringes and vials containing etomidate, another sleep-inducing drug similar to propofol, according to BBC News. Following those incidents, his agency at the time, Real Slow Company, issued a statement in which it said, “He has been going through an incredibly difficult period due to the sudden passing of his father and close friends. He has been suffering from depression and panic disorder and has been receiving psychiatric treatment,” according to the Korea Herald.
In 2021, Wheesung got a two-year suspended sentence for abusing propofol.
The singer, who was also a well-respected producer and songwriter, also worked with a number of other K-pop artists, including the girl groups Twice, T-ara and Orange Caramel, as well as Younha, G. NA and Ailee. He was scheduled to co-headline a show with singer KCM dubbed “The Story,” in Daegu, South Korea at EXCO Auditorium on Saturday (March 15); that show has been cancelled.
Brian James, founding member of English punk-rock band The Damned, died Thursday (March 6). The guitarist was 70.
The news was shared with fans via a post on James’ Facebook page on the day of his death. “It is with great sadness that we announce the death of one of the true pioneers of music, guitarist, songwriter and true gentleman, Brian James,” it read.
The message added that the musician was surrounded by family when he “passed peacefully.”
James formed The Damned in 1976 with bandmates Captain Sensible, Dave Vanian and Rat Scabies. That year, they released what is considered the first-ever British punk single: “New Rose.”
Trending on Billboard
The guitarist would work on two albums with the foursome before leaving the group: 1977’s Damned Damned Damned and Music for Pleasure.
Captain Sensible honored his late bandmate with a post on X Thursday, sharing a photo of himself with James and writing, “We’re shocked to hear that creator of @thedamned, our great chum Brian James has sadly gone.”
“A lovely bloke that I feel so lucky to have met all those years ago and for some reason chose me to help in his quest for the music revolution that became known as punk,” he added. “Cheers BJ!”
After leaving The Damned, James would form short-lived group Tanz Der Youth before starting The Lords of the New Church with Stiv Bators. The latter group released three studio albums: 1983’s Is Nothing Sacred?, 1984’s The Method to Our Madness and 1988’s Killer Lords. James also created The Dripping Lips and the Brian James Gang as well as released a plethora of solo music throughout his six-decade career.
His career came full circle in 2022 when James reunited with The Damned for a string of U.K. live shows. Five years prior, his former bandmates emphasized how important he’d been not only to the band, but to developing the English punk scene, in a 2017 interview with Rolling Stone.
“With the Damned, it was always about the music,” Vanian told the publication at the time. “Brian was a fantastic guitarist.”
“We used to call Brian the riff-meister,” Captain Sensible recalled. “That’s why Jimmy Page was such a fan of the band at the time. There are photographs of him and Robert Plant backstage at our gig at the Roxy. Jimmy Page saw something special in Brian’s guitar style and writing, as did I, since I was a guitar player before The Damned and switched to bass to play with Brian.”
James is survived by his wife, Minna, his son, Charlie, and his daughter-in-law, Alicia.
Influential Chicago musician DJ Funk, credited with coining the term “ghetto house,” has died at 54. The news was announced by friend and collaborator DJ Slugo, who revealed Funk’s passing in a video posted to Instagram on Wednesday (March 5). The news came just a few days after the the DJ’s family started a GoFundMe to help cover funeral costs after they said the artist born Charles Chambers was nearing the end of a long battle with stage 4 cancer. At press time Billboard had not independently confirmed Funk’s death.
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
Funk made his name as the pioneer of the ghetto house (aka “booty house”) sound that bubbled up in his native Chicago in the early late 1980s and early 1990s, mixing spare drum machine beats with lascivious, sped up vocals on beloved tracks including “Work Dat Body,” “Run” and “Pump It.”
Trending on Billboard
Born in Chicago on March 5, 1971, Funk made his name in the early ’90s on a number of influential EPs for the Dancemania label (which he took ownership of in 2005), including the Street Traxx series, as well as House the Groove, Pumpin’ Tracks and The Original Video Clash. His fame among hardcore house heads reached its apex in 1999 with the release of his first Booty House Anthems album, which was followed by sequels in 2006 and 2013, as well as high-energy DJ sets at clubs and raves across the Midwest, where he would play his pitched-up, sex-themed songs at a rapid-fire pace, never lingering on any track for too long.
Though he never scored a traditional chart hit, Funk was gained global recognition in 2013 for his remix of French electronic duo Justice’s song “Let There Be Light” on which he demanded “I wanna see that ass bouncing” over one of his signature hyper-speed beats and a minimal, hypnotic bass line.
He was also given a prominent shout-out by Daft Punk on their 1997 Homework album track “Teachers,” where he came in as the second mention on the song behind fellow influential Chicago house legend Paul Johnson, and well ahead of some more well-known names such as George Clinton, Lil Louis, Kenny Dope, Dr. Dre, Jeff Mills and Joey Beltram.
Funk released dozens of singles, remixes and mix CDs over his nearly 30-year career and performed alongside such legends as Bad Boy Bill and Felix Da Housecat at the Out Cold indoor music festival in Aurora, IL in February 2024.
In an interview with the Guardian in 2015, Funk revealed how he’d like to be remembered when he was gone. “I really don’t want a funeral,” he said. “I’d like to have a party so people remember all the good times and aren’t sad. Then at the afterparty there’ll be a lot of booty shaking with all my music played.”
Check out some of Funk’s songs and tributes from fellow DJs below.
Heartbroken to hear about the passing of my friend DJ Funk. One of the best producers and DJs out of Chicago, his energy and iconic vocals could light up any dance floor. My thoughts and condolences go out to his family during this difficult time. There is a GoFundMe to help with… pic.twitter.com/WDQLx8o11b— DJ Bad Boy Bill (@djbadboybill) March 5, 2025
Juanita Stephens, a barrier-breaking music industry veteran who helmed media and artist relations departments at major labels such as Warner Bros., MCA and Polygram, died March 1 in Atlanta after a lengthy battle with cancer.
Stephens’ industry background also includes a tenure with Bad Boy Worldwide. After that, the well-respected executive launched her own media and publicity firm, JS Media Relations, with bases in New York and Atlanta. Under that banner, she helped oversee the solo career of Grammy-winning artist Bobby Brown.
“Juanita Stephens was a true trailblazer — one of the first Black female executives to shatter barriers in the music industry,” veteran entertainment attorney and longtime friend Rev. Dr. Denise J. Brown tells Billboard.
Trending on Billboard
Founder of the faith-based entertainment content incubator Oikeo Ministries, Brown (no relation to the singer) also remembers Stephens as “a consummate professional and relentless perfectionist. She never accepted ‘no’ as an answer, fiercely championing every artist and project she believed in. Her impact was profound, her presence commanding and her legacy unshakable. The industry has lost a pioneer, and she will be deeply missed.”
Stephens was born in New York’s Spanish Harlem, moving with her family to Queens as a young child. Her initial entry into the music business occurred in 1987 when she joined MCA Records as assistant to the vp of publicity, longtime friend Katie Valk. With no prior record company experience, Stephens learned the ropes by helping to organize national and international campaigns for a roster of pop, heavy metal and country artists that included superstars such as Elton John, Dolly Parton and The Kinks.
Later tapped as director of publicity by the heads of MCA’s Black music division, Jheryl Busby and Louil Silas, Stephens oversaw campaigns for Bobby Womack, Patti LaBelle, New Edition, Jody Watley and The Jets, among others. From there, Stephens became the first Black female vp of publicity and artist development appointed at MCA, working with Bobby Brown along with a multi-genre roster that included hip-hop, alternative, jazz, gospel and reggae acts.
In a comment sent to Billboard, Bobby Brown notes, “Juanita was a beautiful and gifted sister. We had decades of memories, and I could always count on her wisdom and kindness. I love you, Juanita. You will be deeply missed.”
After MCA, Stephens segued to similar senior executive-level posts with Polygram in 1992, Warner Bros. Records (now Warner Records) in 1995 and then Bad Boy Worldwide in 1998. She exited the in-house label publicity circuit to establish JS Media Relations in 2000; its clients included Charlie Wilson and Tito Jackson.
Through JS Media Relations, Stephens handled publicity for tours featuring LaBelle and Stephanie Mills in addition to Brown and Wilson. Among the various media events with which JS Media Relations collaborated were the BET Awards, American Music Awards, Trumpet Awards, VH1 Music Awards and the Otis Redding 70th Birthday Tribute.
Joey Molland, the guitarist and last surviving member of the rock band Badfinger, has died. He was 77.
Molland passed away on Saturday (March 1) while surrounded by his longtime partner, Mary, his two sons and other family members, according to a post on Badfinger’s Facebook page. While a cause of death was not specified, Molland had faced ongoing health challenges in recent years, including a recent battle with pneumonia.
“Thank you, Joey…for keeping the band’s music alive for so long and for being a friend to us all,” the Facebook post read.
Badfinger, originally known as the Iveys, was one of the first bands signed by The Beatles‘ Apple Records. Molland joined the group in 1969, after the recording of their debut album, Maybe Tomorrow, which featured the Paul McCartney-written hit “Come and Get It.” The song reached No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1970.
Trending on Billboard
Molland’s first album with Badfinger was No Dice (1970), co-produced by Beatles road manager Mal Evans. The set featured two of the band’s most iconic tracks: “No Matter What” and “Without You.” The latter became a hit after being covered by Harry Nilsson and Mariah Carey.
Badfinger’s main lineup of Molland (guitarist), Pete Ham (singer/guitarist), Tom Evans (bassist) and Mike Gibbins (drummer) recorded five albums together through 1974, producing hit singles like “Day After Day” and “Baby Blue,” both co-produced by George Harrison. “Baby Blue” was notably featured in the closing scene of the final episode of Breaking Bad in 2013.
After the death of Ham, who died by suicide in 1975, Molland and Evans (minus Gibbins) reunited to revive Badfinger, with the guitarist taking on a larger role in songwriting and vocals for the albums Airwaves (1979) and Say No More (1981).
Outside of his work with Badfinger, Molland contributed to Harrison’s All Things Must Pass and The Concert for Bangladesh albums, and played guitar on John Lennon’s 1971 classic “Jealous Guy” and Imagine‘s “I Don’t Wanna Be a Soldier.”
Throughout his career, Molland recorded music both as a solo artist and as a member of the band Natural Gas. In the early 1980s, he formed his own version of Badfinger, known as Joey Molland’s Badfinger, and continued to tour with the act until the summer of 2024.
Molland was the last surviving member of Badfinger’s core lineup, following the deaths of Ham, Evans (who also died by suicide in 1983) and Gibbins, who passed away from natural causes in 2005.
Angie Stone died in a car crash on Saturday (March 1), a representative for the R&B and soul singer, who was also a founding member of the trio The Sequence, confirmed to Billboard. With a career in music that spanned the late ’70s through her sudden passing, Stone topped both the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and Adult R&B Airplay charts and was nominated for three Grammy Awards.
“Unfortunately, at around 4 a.m. while heading back to Atlanta from Alabama, the Sprinter flipped over and was subsequently hit by a big rig. Thankfully, all survived except for Angie,” Walter Millsap, president of Conjuction Entertainment, said in a statement obtained by Billboard Saturday afternoon.
Stone was on the lineup of the Mardi Gras Association’s Grand Marshal’s Ball in Mobile, Alabama, on Friday (Feb. 28).
Trending on Billboard
“My mommy is gone,” performer Ladi Diamond, Angie’s daughter with Rodney Stone, wrote in a Facebook post on Saturday. Stone is also survived by her son with singer D’Angelo, Michael D’Angelo Archer II, who goes by stage name Swayvo Twain.
Born Angela Laverne Brown on Dec. 18, 1961, in Columbia, South Carolina, Stone’s career in music began with female rap trio The Sequence, known for their single “Funk You Up” that reached No. 15 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in 1980.
Five of Stone’s albums as a solo singer reached the top 10 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. She saw her set The Art of Love & War rise to No. 1 in 2007, while Dream made it to No. 3 (2015), Mahogany Soul and Stone Love both reached No. 4 (in 2001 and 2004, respectively), and Black Diamond charted at No. 9 (2000).
Stone had six top 10 hits on the Adult R&B Airplay chart, including two No. 1s, “No More Rain (In This Cloud)” (1999) and “Baby” (2007). The four other top 10s were “Wish I Didn’t Miss You” (No. 2, 2002), “Brotha” (No. 3, 2002), “More Than a Woman” (No. 4, 2002) and “Sometimes” (No. 7, 2008).
“No More Rain (In this Cloud)” also reached the top 10 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, on which it peaked at No. 9 in 2000.
Though Stone never won a Grammy Award, she was a three-time nominee. She received nods for best R&B performance by a duo or group with vocals for “More Than a Woman” with Joe in 2003, best female R&B vocal performance for “U-Haul” in 2004, and best R&B performance by a duo or group with vocals for “Baby” with Betty Wright in 2008.
Stone was the founder of national nonprofit Angel Stripes, with the goal of facilitating artistry and neighborliness in communities.
Memorial service details will be announced by Stone’s family members, who at this time request privacy.
David Johansen, frontman of the pioneering punk group New York Dolls and solo “Hot Hot Hot” hitmaker as his alter ego Buster Poindexter, has died. He was 75. “David Johansen died at home in NYC on Friday afternoon holding hands with his wife, Mara Hennessey, and daughter Leah, surrounded my music, flowers and love,” his […]