The Whispers
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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The Whispers are a long-established R&B-dance vocal group from Los Angeles, California, with a consistent track record of hit records dating back to the late 1960s.
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Career
The Whispers formed in 1964 in Watts, California. The original members included the twin brothers, Scotty (Wallace) and Walter Scott, along with Gordy Harmon, Marcus Hutson and Nicholas Caldwell. In 1973, Harmon was replaced by former Friends of Distinction member Leaveil Degree. Scotty Scott's fluid, melodic voice is featured on virtually all of their hits.
The group scored many hits on the R&B and Billboard Hot 100 charts throughout the 1970s and 1980s, and they hit #1 on the Hot Dance Club Play chart in 1980 with "And the Beat Goes On " (not to be confused with Sonny and Cher's "The Beat Goes On") / "Can You Do the Boogie" / "Out the Box". In 1987, they enjoyed a brief tenure in the Top 40 when "Rock Steady" became their first Top 10 success on the Hot 100 (it reached #7) while also capturing the #1 spot on the R&B chart.
Although they recorded mainly in Philadelphia in the early to mid 70s, most of their studio work has been in Los Angeles. Their most successful period was in the 1980s with Solar Records (Sound Of Los Angeles Records), run by their manager at the time, Dick Griffey. The Whispers later founded their own Black Tie record label.
Marcus Hutson left the group in 1992 due to illness. According to the Whispers' website, when Hutson died in 2000 they vowed to never replace him, and now perform as a quartet.
Band members
- Scotty Scott (born Wallace Scott, 23 September 1943, Fort Worth, Texas).
- Walter Scott (born 23 September 1943, Fort Worth, Texas).
- Marcus Hutson (born 8 January 1943, St Louis, Missouri, died 2000)
- Nicholas Caldwell (born 5 April 1944, Loma Linda, California).
- Leaveil Degree (born 31 July 1948, New Orleans, Louisiana).
- Gordy Harmon
Discography
Albums
- 1970 Planets of Life - Soul Clock
- 1972 The Whisper's Love Story - Janus Records
- 1972 Life and Breath - Janus Records
- 1973 Planets of Life (reissue) - Janus Records
- 1974 Bingo - Janus Records
- 1974 Whispers Gettin' Louder - Janus Records
- 1976 One for the Money - Soul Train
- 1977 Open up Your Love - Soul Train
- 1978 Headlights - Solar Records
- 1979 Happy Holidays to You - Solar
- 1979 Whisper in Your Ear - Solar
- 1979 The Whispers - Solar
- 1980 Imagination - Solar
- 1981 This Kind Of Lovin' - Solar
- 1982 Love Is Where You Find It - Solar
- 1983 Love for Love - Solar
- 1984 So Good - Solar
- 1987 Just Gets Better with Time - Solar
- 1989 Vintage Whispers - Solar
- 1990 More of the Night - Capitol
- 1990 In the Mood - Solar
- 1991 Somebody Loves You - Quicksilver
- 1993 Dr. Love - Quicksilver
- 1994 Beat Goes On - Unidisc
- 1994 Christmas Moments - Capitol
- 1995 Toast to the Ladies - Capitol
- 1996 The Whispers - Sequel
- 1997 Songbook, Vol. 1: The Songs of Babyface - Interscope Records
- 2006 For Your Ears Only - Satin Tie
- 2007 The Whispers Live from Las Vegas
