Walter Scott at an interview at the L.A. Sentinel office in 2017. (E. Mesiyah McGinnis/L.A. Sentinel)
by Cora Jackson-Fossett, Los Angeles Sentinel Managing Editor
Walter Scott, who with his twin brother Wallace “Scotty” founded the legendary R&B group The Whispers, has died at the age of 81, after a six-month bout with cancer, his family confirmed. He passed away surrounded by his family in the Northridge neighborhood of Los Angeles.
The Whispers extensive catalog includes “And the Beat Goes On,” “Rock Steady,” “It’s a Love Thing,” “Lady, “Love is Where You Find It,” and “Love at Its Best.”
Born in Fort Worth, Texas, Walter and Scotty moved to Los Angeles with their family in 1959. They started singing while attending Jordan High School and in 1964, The Whispers were formed, according to a Sentinel interview with Walter and Scotty in 2017.
A veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces, Walter served as a signaleer during the Vietnam War. Upon his return in 1969, he rejoined his brother in The Whispers. Walter recorded for several record companies, including Soul Train Records, Solar Records and Capital Records. In 1980, the group really took off and released several gold and platinum hits.
Walter Scott, who with his twin brother Wallace “Scotty” founded the legendary R&B group The Whispers, has died at the age of 81, after a six-month bout with cancer, his family confirmed. He passed away surrounded by his family in the Northridge neighborhood of Los Angeles.
The Whispers extensive catalog includes “And the Beat Goes On,” “Rock Steady,” “It’s a Love Thing,” “Lady, “Love is Where You Find It,” and “Love at Its Best.”
A veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces, Walter served as a signaleer during the Vietnam War. Upon his return in 1969, he rejoined his brother in The Whispers. Walter recorded for several record companies, including Soul Train Records, Solar Records and Capital Records. In 1980, the group really took off and released several gold and platinum hits.
Related Links:
https://lasentinel.net/the-whispers-continue-to-rock-steady.html
https://lasentinel.net/l-a-honors-the-whispers-for-contributions-to-rb-and-soul-music.html
“We knew by 1981, we didn’t think of it as made it, we thought of it as the validation from our peers and fans that they liked us,” said Walter.
Added Scotty, “from that point on, up until 1988 everything we recorded was either gold or platinum.”
For decades, Walter continued to perform with The Whispers and the group headlined at the Sentinel’s Taste of Soul Family Festival in 2023.
Walter is survived by his wife Jan, two sons, and three grandchildren. Services were pending at press time.
Walter Scott, Founding Member of The Whispers, Passes Away at 81
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