Johnnie James Wilder Jr. (July 3, 1949 – May 13, 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. | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | July 3, 1949 Dayton, Ohio, United States |
| Died | May 13, 2006 (aged 56) Dayton, Ohio, United States |
| Genres | R&B, funk |
Life
editHe 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][1]
During the 1980s and 1990s, Wilder went on to record other albums with the group, as well as an album with his brother titled Sound of Soul in 1989.[3] Later he began a solo gospel career, singing a cappella on the albums My Goal and One More Day.[4] 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.[5] 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 had a wife, Rosalyn.[1]
He died in his sleep on May 13, 2006, at his home in Dayton, Ohio, aged 56, from complications of his paralysis.
References
edit- ^ a b c Clayson, Alan (May 19, 2006). "Obituary: Johnnie Wilder Jnr". Theguardian.com. Retrieved July 28, 2019.
- ^ a b "Johnnie Wilder Jnr". Independent.co.uk. June 19, 2006. Archived from the original on June 14, 2022. Retrieved July 28, 2019.
- ^ "Heatwave Frontman Johnnie Wilder Jr. Dies". Billboard. Retrieved July 28, 2019.
- ^ "Johnnie Wilder Biography". Shalondainc.com.
- ^ "Johnnie Wilder Jr. - One More Day". Discogs. Retrieved May 6, 2017.