Gedi's Artist Spotlight - The Whispers


Originally put together for the Soulful Sounds Show with the two idiots back in 2013. While the show was conceived and put together by Steve King he was kind enough to let me take control with this. 
The format to focus on one artist or group, three tracks across three fifteen minute segments; these were then incorporated into a three hour show. What you hear is all three segments edited together. 

01: The Whispers - Bingo
02: The Whispers - You Are The One
03: The Whispers – I Can Make It Better
04: The Whispers - Whispering
05: The Whispers - Mind-blowing
06: The Whispers – No Pain No Gain
07: The Whispers – Keep On Loving Me
08: The Whispers – Make Sweet Love To Me 
09: The Whispers – Come On Home

The Whispers is an R&B/dance vocal group formed in 1964 in Los Angeles, California. The original members included the twin brothers Scotty and Wallace Scott, along with Gordy Harmon, Marcus Hutson and Nicholas Caldwell. In 1973, Harmon was replaced by former Friends of Distinction member Leaveil  Degree. The group scored many hits on the R&B and Billboard Hot 100 charts throughout the 1970s and 1980s, and they hit #1 on the Hot Dance Club Play chart in 1980 with "And the Beat Goes On/Can You Do the Boogie/Out the Box".

The group's sound was marked by Scotty Scott's fluid, melodic voice which featured on virtually all of their hits. Scotty's sound was so distinctive and likeable that, in his heyday, he was as recognizable as such noted R&B lead singers as Ronald Isley of The Isley Brothers.

In 1987, they enjoyed a career resurgence when "Rock Steady" hit #1 on the R&B charts, and it became their first Top 10 success on the Hot 100, reaching #7. The Whispers also founded the Black Tie record label.

In the 1990s, The Whispers joined the Capitol Records family releasing more favourites. Expanding their creative horizons, brothers Walter and Scotty cut “My Brother’s Keeper”, a critically-acclaimed duet album in 1993, scoring another R&B hit with a cover of the Intruders' "I Wanna Know Your Name." The 1995 release “Toast to the Ladies” featured a collection of love songs dedicated to women all over the world. In 1997, the group moved to Interscope Records where they featured the works of Baby face once again with their album, "Songbook, Vol. 1: The Songs of Babyface”. Both albums charted on Billboard's top 100 albums.

Marcus stopped performing with the group in 1989 due to ill health and the Whispers vowed never to replace him when he died in 2000. In the new millennium, the group still performs around the world to thousands of loyal fans. The group has not made any personnel changes and still consists of Walter Scott, Wallace Scott, Nicholas Caldwell, and Leaveil Degree. They have taken the world by storm, selling out in various casinos and hotels, music venues, and they have a tremendous following throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, and Africa. However, they still find time for charity work with youth education, cancer organizations, 100 Black Men, and Domestic violence charities.

On September 23, 2003, The Whispers’ four decades of accomplishments were acknowledged when they were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame. On June 12, 2005, The San Francisco Chapter of the Grammy Awards presented the Whispers with the prestigious Governors Award, the highest honour bestowed by an Academy Chapter. They were also inducted into the Bay Area Blues Society Hall of Fame in 2006. In 2007, The Black Music Academy of America selected the Whispers to receive their “Living Legends” award.

They are one of only a few “old school” groups that can boast of having over 40 years in the industry with a worldwide fan base. The Whispers waited almost a decade to produce a new CD in 2005. This independent product, the first venture of their newly formed corporation Satin Tie Entertainment is a masterpiece entitled, “For Your Ears Only”. According to Walter, “This title was a way of saying to our fans that while we want everyone’s support, we very much want the support of our fans, who have been with us for many, many years.” It made its way up the Billboard chart immediately. In 2007, they release a DVD of their live concert entitled “The Whispers Live From Las Vegas”, the first of its kind. A CD soundtrack of the same concert was also released.

Career highlights:
  • Seven Gold Albums, Two Platinum Albums, 
  • 12 Top Twenty Singles, 
  • 40 Charted Hits Since 1970, 
  • Four Decades of Pop & R & B Favourites American Music Award Nominees, 
  • Soul Train Award Nominees, Grammy Award Nominees
  • 2003 Vocal Group Hall of Fame Inductees, 
  • 2005 S.F. Regional Grammy Governors Award
  

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