Walter Scott, founding member of The Whispers, dies at 81: Reports

article

Members of The Whispers pose for a portrait in 1981. Walter Scott, one of the group’s founding members and pictured here with the band, has died at 81 after a battle with cancer, according to the Los Angeles Sentinel. (Getty Images)

Walter Scott, one of the original voices behind the iconic R&B group The Whispers, has died. He was 81. According to a report by the Los Angeles Sentinel, Scott had been living with cancer for the past six months and died in Northridge, California.

Scott co-founded The Whispers in the early 1960s alongside his twin brother Wallace "Scotty" Scott and fellow members Nicholas Caldwell, Marcus Hutson and Gordy Harmon. Together, they shaped the sound of West Coast soul and R&B for decades, eventually becoming staples of the late-1970s disco and quiet storm scenes.

Who was Walter Scott?

The backstory:

Walter and Wallace Scott began their careers in California, forming The Whispers during the early 1960s. The group first recorded singles through Doré Records in 1964 but didn’t release their debut album until 1969, with "Planets of Life" on Soul Clock Records.

Their early years were marked by limited commercial success, but the group found its breakthrough in 1979 after signing with SOLAR Records, founded by Dick Griffey. That year’s self-titled album featured "And the Beat Goes On," which became their most recognizable hit and a defining anthem of the post-disco era.

Big picture view:

Scott remained a consistent presence in the group throughout its long career. Albums like "Imagination" (1980), "Love Is Where You Find It" (1982), and "Just Gets Better With Time" (1987) helped cement The Whispers’ reputation for smooth vocals, romantic themes and tight harmonies.

Scott died after a six-month battle with cancer, according to the Los Angeles Sentinel. He passed away in the Northridge neighborhood of Los Angeles.

What they're saying:

Questlove, drummer of The Roots and a noted music historian, honored Scott on Instagram, writing that he was "one of the most trusted voices in 70s soul music."

What's next:

Though Scott has passed, The Whispers’ legacy continues through their music, which remains influential across soul, R&B and modern sampling in hip-hop. Wallace Scott and other surviving members have continued to perform, and the group’s catalog continues to be celebrated for its timeless appeal and cultural impact.