Sad news to report….Walter Scott, co-founder of the renowned R&B group The Whispers, has passed away at the age of 81. His death was confirmed by family and friends, marking the end of a musical legacy that helped define soul and R&B from the 1960s onward.

Desirae L. Benson, a member of the Whispers promotional team, confirmed Scott’s passing in a statement to Soul Tracks.

“We all are incredibly heartbroken. It is with deep sadness that we confirm the passing of Walter Scott, beloved member of the legendary R&B group The Whispers. His voice, presence, and contributions helped shape a musical legacy that touched millions. Walter’s impact on the industry and in the hearts of fans will never be forgotten. Memorial details will be shared at a later date. Sending love and light to his family, friends, and all of the millions of fans around the world. We lost a legend!“

Born in Fort Worth, Texas, Walter and his twin brother Wallace “Scotty” Scott relocated to Los Angeles in 1959. The brothers began singing while attending Jordan High School, and in 1964, they formed The Whispers, a group that would become one of R&B’s most enduring acts.

The Whispers achieved mainstream success in the late 1970s and 1980s with a series of gold and platinum records. Their most celebrated hits include “And the Beat Goes On,” “Rock Steady,” “It’s a Love Thing,” “Lady,” “Love is Where You Find It,” and “Love at Its Best.”

In a 2017 interview with the L.A. Sentinel, Walter reflected on their breakthrough: “We knew by 1981, we didn’t think of it as made it, we thought of it as the validation from our peers and fans that they liked us.” Scotty added, “From that point on, up until 1988 everything we recorded was either gold or platinum.”

Walter and Scotty remained active performers well into their later years. In 2023, they headlined the Taste of Soul Family Festival, continuing to bring their classic sound to new generations of fans.[The Tribune]

Earlier this year, it was announced that Walter Scott was ailing, and he missed several shows. His fans have been praying for a recovery since, then, but sadly the bad news came today. We will be mourning this tremendous loss to the music world, even as we celebrate an artist who was a big part of the soundtrack of so many lives over the past half century. Rest in peace, Walter Scott.