Walter C. Scott Jr., the singer and co-founder of the R&B group The Whispers — along with his identical twin brother Wallace Scott “Scotty” — has died, a rep for Scott said in a statement obtained by The Hollywood Reporter. He was 81.
Walter died on Thursday after a six-month-long battle with cancer and was surrounded by his family in Northridge, California, THR has learned.
The musician was known for the tracks “And the Beat Goes On, “Rock Steady” (which hit No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100), “It’s a Love Thing,” “Lady, “Love is Where You Find It” and “Love at Its Best.” He worked with record companies, including Soul Train Records, Solar Records and Capital Records.
Born in Fort Worth, Texas, in 1944, Scott later moved to Los Angeles. He and Wallace formed The Whispers in 1963 with members Nicholas Caldwell, Marcus Hutson and Gordy Harmon. Walter was then drafted to serve in the Vietnam War, but he returned to The Whispers in 1969.
They earned 15 top-10 R&B singles and two of the eight top-10 R&B albums, The Whispers and Love Is Where You Find It, hit No. 1. They also landed five gold albums and two platinum.
Desirae Lee Benson-Brockington, who worked with The Whispers as a publicist, shared her condolences on Facebook. “I’ve had the honor of witnessing up close the power of Walter’s artistry, humility, and grace. His contribution to music, culture, and the hearts of so many will never be forgotten,” she wrote. “Walter was more than a performer — he was part of a movement that brought soul, harmony, and timeless love songs to generations. His legacy will continue to live on through every note, every lyric, and every fan he touched.”
Walter is survived by his wife, Jan, two sons and three grandchildren.
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