Walter Scott, who co-founded legendary R&B group The Whispers, has died following a six-month battle with cancer. He was 81 years old.
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Scott’s family confirmed to the Los Angeles Sentinel on Thursday (June 26) that the Soul Music Hall of Famer passed surrounded by his family in the Northridge neighborhood of Los Angeles.
The Whispers scored their first chart-topping hit in 1979 with “And the Beat Goes On,” followed by 1987’s “Rock Steady.”
Walter Scott is survived by his wife Jan, two sons, and three grandchildren
Walter Scott Founded The Whispers With His Twin Brother
Originally hailing from Fort Worth, Texas, Walter Scott and twin brother Wallace “Scottie” founded The Whispers in 1963. Along with the siblings, the original lineup consisted of Gordy Harmon, Marcus Hutson, and Nicholas Caldwell.
Very sad to hear of Walter Scott’s passing of legendary The Whispers.💔🙏🏽
— JODY WATLEY (@jodywatley) June 27, 2025
Condolences to Scotty, the family & loved ones.
From my Shalamar days on Solar to recent shows—we always shared smiles & good vibes.
A kind soul with an everlasting musical legacy. 🕊️✨ #RIPWalterScott pic.twitter.com/F0TOomXUrd
The band quickly relocated to the San Francisco Bay Area, where they developed a reputation for their high-energy live shows. Drafted to serve in the Vietnam War with the U.S. Army, Walter rejoined the group after his discharge in 1969.
Nearly a decade after releasing their 1970 debut The Whispers/Planets of Life, the band struck gold in 1979. “And the Beat Goes On” reached the top of Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Play chart. Their second No. 1 hit came in 1987 with “Rock Steady,” which ascended the R&B/Hip-Hop Charts.
“We were [a] pretty old group, to be honest with you, and we finally got the hit we’ve been waiting on. ‘And The Beat Goes On’ came along,” Walter said in a 2023 interview. “And next thing you know, we had a double platinum album [in] 1979 and ’80. …Scottie puts it like this … we finally could get our clothes out, the cleanest shoes — everything you know, and you get a hit that … size, your whole life changes.
[RELATED: 10 Notable R&B Songs that Were Covered by The Beatles]
The Whispers released their most recent studio album, Thankful, in 2009. According to the band’s official Instagram page, they performed live as recently as April 2025.
Featured image by Christopher Victorio/Shutterstock
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