Walter Scott Jr., a founding member of the renowned R&B group The Whispers, passed away on Thursday following a six-month battle with cancer. The 81-year-old musician was surrounded by his family in Northridge, California, a suburb of Los Angeles, at the time of his passing.
Scott co-founded The Whispers in 1963, a group that would go on to leave an indelible mark on the R&B music scene. Desirae Lee Benson-Brockington, the group’s former publicist, paid tribute to Scott, stating that his legacy would continue to resonate through his music. She described Scott as more than just a performer, crediting him with bringing soul, harmony, and timeless love songs to multiple generations.
Benson-Brockington, who began working with the group in 2020, decades after they had established their influential style, spoke highly of Scott’s performances, describing them as a masterclass in grace and soul. She also expressed her gratitude for having known him personally, highlighting his warm presence, wisdom, and his ability to make everyone feel valued.
Born in Fort Worth, Texas, Scott moved to Los Angeles in 1959. He formed The Whispers during high school in 1963 with his identical twin brother, Wallace “Scotty,” Nicholas Caldwell, Marcus Hutson, and Gordy Harmon. Scott’s music career was briefly interrupted when he was drafted to serve in the Vietnam War, but he returned to the group in 1969, the same year the group’s first album, “Planets of Life,” was released.
The group tasted success in 1970 when their track “Seems Like I Gotta Do Wrong” made it to the Top 10 on the Billboard R&B charts. The Whispers continued to maintain a steady presence on the charts throughout the 70s with tracks like “One for the Money (Part 1),” “Make It With You,” and “(Let’s Go) All the Way.” Their hit song, “And the Beat Goes On,” debuted in 1979, and they received their first and only Grammy nomination in 1987 for Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group with their single “Rock Steady.”
The Whispers were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2003 and released over two dozen albums throughout their career. Scott is survived by his wife, Jan, two sons, three grandchildren, and his twin brother, who is the last founding member of the R&B group still alive.