Johnnie Wilder Jr.

Johnnie James Wilder, Jr. (July 3, 1949 – May 13, 2006) was the co-founder and lead vocalist of the international R&B/funk group Heatwave, who were popular during the late 1970s with hits such as "Boogie Nights", "Mind Blowing Decisions" (which Wilder wrote), "Always and Forever", and "The Groove Line", on which Wilder sang co-lead vocals.

On February 24, 1979, a van broadsided Wilder's car, paralyzing him from the neck down and hospitalizing him for a year.

During the 1980s and '90s, Wilder 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.

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, the former Roslyn Sanders.