UB Soul Friday: Celebrating Walter Scott & The Whispers

Legendary Walter Scott of The Whispers, has passed away at the age of 81.

Along with his twin brother Wallace “Scotty” founded the legendary R&B group.

Walter Scott died after a six-month bout with cancer, confirmed by his family.

This weeks “UB Soul Friday” spotlights the legendary The Whispers.

“UB Soul Friday,” spotlighting artists, albums, singles and videos that left a mark in R&B and Soul music!

As the musical industry goes on, you hear folks that talk about “old school” music from “back in the day,” a reference to solid R&B, funk and soul of the 70s and 80s.

While many of that golden era have come and gone, there’s a select group of seasoned performers and recording artists who have gotten through the trends, fads and changes of decades, continuing to perform music that is real.

The Whispers were among the few that remained at the very forefront of the “soul survivors.”

The men were singing together as The Whispers for over five decades and they also are among the precious few stand-up vocal groups that were still actively performing.

The key to The Whispers ability to survive was Togetherness, with their ever-changing times. Dazzling the audience and leaving them speechless.

The Whispers, began their legendary and timeless career in 1963.

Twin brothers Walter and Wallace Scott joined with friends Nicholas Caldwell, Marcus Hutson, and Gordy Harmon to form a local singing group.

They would dream of being big stars, “we’d be outside singing till four a.m.,” recalled Walter, “we’d be out there doowooping.”

They perfected their tight harmonies on the street corners in the Watts section of Los Angeles and in nightclubs in the in the San Francisco/Oakland Bay Area.

They began singing together as “the Eden trio” created by Nicholas Caldwell and Marcus Hutson.

Later, they were renamed “The Whispers” by Lou Bedell of Dore Records.

Shortly after high school, The Whispers recorded their first single, “It Only Hurts For Awhile,” for a local L.A. label.

The group recorded nine singles for the Dore label between 1964 and 1967.

Their fame grew in the Bay Area while performing in a series of what was known as “The Battle of the Bands” where they competed against other local acts for their fans appreciation and affection.

It was with the 1969 release of “Planet Of Life,” their first album for Chess/Janus Records, that the groups’ recording career began to take off.

Early R&B hits included 1970’s “Seem Like I Gotta Do Wrong,” 1972’s “I Only Meant To Wet My Feet,” and 1974‘s “Mother For My Children.”

In 1971, Leaveil Degree replaced Gordy Harmon and The Whispers became the first artists on the newly formed Soul Train label, co-owned by the famed TV show’s creator and host Don Cornelius and entrepreneur Dick Griffey.

They immediately scored hits with “One For The Money” and a soulful cover of the pop group Bread‘s classic “Make It With You.”

In 1979, the group released “A Song for Donny,” in tribute to legendary Donny Hathaway.

In the beginning of the 80’s, The Whispers had a major career breakthrough with their first gold single, “And The Beat Goes On,” a #1 black and Top 20 pop smash.

Also in the 80’s The Whispers maintained their hot streak with “Lady,” “It’s A Love Thang” (1981), “In The Raw” (1982), “Keep On Loving Me” (1983), and “Contagious” (1985) collecting three gold albums; “The Christmas Album,”” Love Is Where You Find It” and “Love For Love,” and two platinum albums, The Whispers and Imagination.

The Whispers returned to chart heights in 1987 with “Rocksteady,” another R&B #1 and Top 10 pop single, giving future hit making producers L.A. and Babyface their first taste of chart success in the process.

An international smash for the group, “Rocksteady” helped propel the album “Just Gets Better With Time” to almost double platinum status.

Still constantly in demand as a performing act both in the U.S. and in Europe, The Whispers took a couple years off from recording, signing in 1990 with Capital Records and making an immediate return to the charts with the gold album “More Of The Night.”

Their 17th studio album spawned two hit songs with “Innocent” and “My Heart, Your Heart,” both top 5 R&B chart-makers.

Expanding their creative horizons, in 1993 brothers Walter and Scotty cut “My Brothers Keeper,” a critically acclaimed duet album, scoring another R&B hit with a cover of the Intruders‘ “I Wanna Know Your Name.”

As two of the three original members of the Whispers, with Nicholas Caldwell, who served as executive producer for the album; the Scott brothers were quick to point out that the release of “My Brother’s Keeper” did not signify a group breakup.

“This is a WALTER & SCOTTY project we’ve wanted to do for a while,” stated Walter. “Our objective with the album is to hit an audience that the group doesn’t necessarily have. The material and the producers we picked reflect that.”

That same year, The Whispers also made their first, highly successful visit to Japan, where longtime fans had been eagerly awaiting the opportunity to see their soulful musical heroes in action.

The Whispers, were still touring and showing off their elegant style, were still a great success. 1994 was a particularly busy year for The Whispers; aside from the standard six months that the group spent on tour, they completed two full albums.

After finishing work on their new album “Toast To The Ladies,” the group stayed in the studio to record a 14-year follow-up to their 1980 bestselling Christmas album entitled “Christmas Moments.”

Capital Records released the project in time for Christmas 1994; “We’re shocked it did so well in such a short time!” Scott stated at the time.

“Toast to the Ladies” released in 1995 featured a collection of love songs dedicated to women all over the world.

In 1997 the group moved to Interscope Records where they featured the works of Babyface once again with their album, “Songbook, Vol. 1: The Songs of Babyface.”

Marcus stopped performing with the group in 1989 due to ill health, and in 2000, when he passed on, the Whispers vowed never to replace him.

The group didn’t make any personnel changes and still consisted of Walter Scott, Wallace Scott, Nicholas Caldwell, and Leaveil Degree.

They took Las Vegas by storm, selling out in various casinos and hotels, and they have a tremendous following on the West and East coasts, particularly in the San Francisco Bay Area, Southern California, New Jersey, New York, Philadelphia, Washington DC, St. Louis, Indiana, and Chicago.

On September 23rd, 2003, The Whispers’ four decades of accomplishments were acknowledged when Charlie Thomas of the Drifters inducted them into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame.

On June 12th, 2005, The San Francisco Chapter of the Grammy Awards presented the Whispers with the prestigious Governors Award, the highest honor bestowed by an Academy Chapter.

They continued to perform to sell-out crowds all over the world, and their popularity continued to grow among youth whose parents “raised” them on the Whispers‘ music.

They are also known for their charitable work with youth that participate in the PAL (Police Athletic League) Reading Program, and their ongoing support to domestic violence organizations and cancer agencies.

They are one of only a few “old School” groups that could boast of having over 50 years in the industry with a worldwide fan base, maintaining their vocal dominance and original members.

The Whispers waited almost a decade to produce a new album in 2006.

The independent product, was the first venture of their newly formed company at the time “Satin Tie Productions“, was a masterpiece entitled “For Your Ears Only.”

According to Walter, “This title is a way of saying to our fans that we appreciate everybody’s support that has been with us for many, many years.” Nick‘s perspective dealt with its essence. “In my opinion, the CD represents the musical DNA and artistic expression of what the Whispers were and have become during their 42 years together. It was conceived to please the ears, hearts and minds of our super- supportive and loyal family of fans. It was a labor of love and I believe a body of work blessed by God.”

In 2009, the group released their final album “Thankful.”

Over their amazing career, the Whispers garnered 7 Gold Albums, Two Platinum Albums, 12 Top Twenty Singles, 40 Charted Hits Since 1970, American Music Award Nominees, Soul Train Award Nominees, Grammy Award Nominees, a 2002 NAACP Image Award, a 2003 Vocal Group Hall of Fame Inductees, and a 2005 Regional Grammy Governors Award.

Also in 2007 The Whispers were presented with an American Black Music Award in Las Vegas. In 2008 the group received the Rhythm and Blues Foundation‘s Pioneer Award. While in 2012, brought the Soul Music Hall Of Fame Award.

The Whispers were presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award for their 50 years in the Music Industry on the Soul Train Cruise in 2013.

In 2014, the Whispers were inducted into the National Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame.

In 2022, the Whispers received The Legends Award at the Black Music Honors.

UB Sends Our Condolences to The Family, Friends and Fans of Walter Scott!

Take A Trip Down Memory Lane with The Whispers!