The Whispers

The Whispers were an American soul group from Watts, Calif., formed in 1964. A four-year run of singles on Dore preceded the group’s self-titled album on Soul Clock in 1969. The group released three albums on Janus between 1972 and 1974, followed by a pair of albums on Soul Train in 1976 and 1977. The subsequent 10-year period yielded 11 albums on Solar, culminating with the group’s 1987 hit “Rock Steady.”

Members: Walter Scott (vocals), Wallace Scott (vocals), Nicholas Caldwell (vocals, 1964-2016), Marcus Hutson (vocals, 1964-92), Gordy Harmon (vocals, 1964-73), Leaveil Degree (vocals, 1973-present), Larry White (lead guitar)

The Whispers formed in 1963 Watts when identical singing twins Wallace and Walter Scott (b. Sept. 23, 1943, Fort Worth, Tex.) teamed with vocalists Gordy Harmon, Marcus Hutson, and Nicholas Caldwell.

In 1964, The Whispers issued two singles on the Hollywood-based Dore label: the Gene Page-arranged doo-wop ballad “Never Again” (b/w “Slow Jerk”) and the vibe-sprinkled “It Only Hurts for a Little While” (b/w “The Happy One”). Between 1965 and 1967, they issued seven further singles on the label, including the brassy/uptempo “Doctor Love,” the string-laden “Take a Lesson From the Teacher,” and the Motown-influenced mid-tempo number “You Can’t Fight What’s Right.”

At the urging of Sly Stone, they relocated to San Francisco, where their act drew applause on the local club scene. After an 18-month period where Walter deployed for service in Vietnam, The Whispers signed to another LA small-press, Soul Clock, which issued their 1969 self-titled debut album.

Discography:

• The Whispers (1969)
  
• The Whispers Love Story (1972)
• Life and Breath (1972)
• Planets of Life (1973)
• Bingo (1974)
• One for the Money (1976)
• Open Up Your Love (1977)
• Headlights (1978)
• Whisper in Your Ear (1979)
• Happy Holidays to You (1979)
• The Whispers (1979)
• Imagination (1980)
• This Kind of Lovin’ (1981)
• Love Is Where You Find It (1981 • Whispers)
• Love for Love (1983 • Whispers)
• So Good (1984)
• Just Gets Better With Time (1987)

Sources:

• Discogs: The Whispers