Heatwave’s Johnnie Wilder Dies at 56

Johnnie Wilder Jr., who had several hits with Heatwave in the 1970s, has died. He was only 56.

Johnnie Wilder Jr., the soulful lead singer of the R&B band Heatwave who continued singing after being paralyzed in a car accident, died Saturday, his daughter said Tuesday. He was 56.

Wilder founded Heatwave, which produced “Always and Forever” and other hits, with his brother, Keith Wilder. The band was nominated twice for Grammys. In 1976, the group soared to the top of the R&B and pop charts with “Boogie Nights” and “Always and Forever,” among other hits off the “Too Hot To Handle” album.

In February 1979, a van struck Wilder’s car, paralyzing him from the neck down and hospitalizing him for a year. He went on to record other albums with the group and later began a gospel career, singing a cappella on the albums “My Goal” and “One More Day.”

Sad news, indeed.

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Heatwave’s Johnnie Wilder Dies at 56

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