Representative Albums: "More of the Night," "Happy Holidays to You," "30th Anniversary Anthology"
Representative Songs: "And the Beat Goes On," "It's a Love Thing," "Rock Steady"
Biography
The Whispers are a veteran R&B quintet with an impressive 23-year legacy of R&B hits. Formed in Los Angeles by twins Walter and Wallace Scott, Nicholas Caldwell, Marcus Hutson, and Gordy Harmon (who left in 1973), the Whispers turned up on the Dore label in 1964 with "I Was Born When You Kissed Me." In 1969, the quintet climbed the soul charts for the first time with "The Time Has Come" on Soul Clock, and they cracked the R&B Top Ten the next year with "Seems Like I Gotta Do Wrong." They've remained hitmakers ever since for the labels Janus, Soul Train, and Solar, with smashes like the solid gold chart-topper "And the Beat Goes On" in 1980 and another number one urban contemporary hit, "Rock Steady," in 1987. After being their backbone and selling point since the group's inception, twin lead vocalists Walter and Wallace Scott took time out for solo careers in 1993, but remain with the Whispers. ~ Bill Dahl, All Music Guide
Leaveil Degree
Nicholas Caldwell
Wallace Scott
Walter Scott
Former members
Marcus Hutson
Gordy Harmon
The Whispers are a long-established R&B-dancevocalgroup from Los Angeles, California, with a consistent track record of hit records dating back to the late 1960s.
The Whispers formed in 1964 in Watts, California. The original members included the twinbrothers, 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.
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).
Planets Of Life (1970) ·Love Story (1972) ·Life & Breath (1972) ·Bingo (1974) ·Whispers Gettin' Louder (1974) ·One for the Money (1976) ·The Whispers (1976) ·Open up Your Love (1977) ·Headlights (1978) ·Happy Holidays to You (1979) ·Whisper in Your Ear (1979) ·The Whispers (1979) ·Imagination (1980) ·This Kind of Loving (1981) ·Love Is Where You Find It (1981) ·Love for Love (1983) ·So Good (1984) ·Just Gets Better with Time (1987) ·Vintage Whispers (1989) ·More of the Night (1990) ·In The Mood (1990) ·Somebody Loves You (1991) ·Dr. Love (1993) · "Beat Goes On" (1994) ·Christmas Moments (1994) ·Toast to the Ladies (1995) ·The Whispers (1996) ·Songbook, Vol. 1: The Songs of Babyface (1997) ·For Your Ears Only (2006)
"And The Beat Goes On" (1979) · "I Can Make It Better" (1980) · "It's a Love Thing" (1980) · "In The Raw" (1981) · "This Kind Of Loving" (1981) · "Emergency" (1982) · "Tonight" (1983) · "Some Kinda Lover" (1984) · "Contagious" (1984) · "Rock Steady" (1987) · "Is It Good To You" (1990)
