The Whispers ‘Say Yes’ to Taste of Soul Bakewell Media Stage Presented by Chevy
By Rodd A. Amos
Contributing Writer
The 17th Annual Taste of Soul Family Festival, South L.A.'s premiere live and in-person outdoor event, proudly welcomes The Whispers to the Bakewell Media Stage presented by Chevy on Saturday, Oct. 21, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., on Crenshaw Boulevard, from Obama Boulevard to Stocker Avenue. The Bakewell Media ‘Sounds for the Soul’ Stage presented by Chevy is located on the corner of Crenshaw and Stocker.
The R&B icons are best known for their two No. 1 singles, “And the Beat Goes On” in 1979 and “Rock Steady” in 1987. The group scored 15 Top 10 singles and eight Top 10 albums — with two of them, “The Whispers” and “Love Is Where You Find It,” reaching the No. 1 spot. According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), they have earned two platinum and five gold albums.
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Identical twin vocalists Walter and Wallace ‘Scotty’ Scott were teenagers when they began singing as The Scott Twins in the early-to-mid 1960’s in the Jordan Downs community of Watts. Former KGFJ disc jockey Hunter Hancock discovered the duo at one of his own traveling talent shows. While waiting backstage, the guys met The Eden Trio, who would eventually join the twins and become The Whispers.
The original members included Jordan High grads Walter and Scotty, along with Marcus Hutson, Nicholas Caldwell and Gordy Harmon (later replaced with former Friends of Distinction singer Leaveil Degree, who remains with the group today).
In 1978, the group signed to Dick Griffey’s SOLAR (Sound of LA Records) and scored hits on the R&B and Billboard Hot 100 charts, including “And the Beat Goes On,” “It's A Love Thing,” “Rock Steady,” “Keep on Lovin’ Me,” and “A Song for Donny,” a tribute song to musician Donny Hathaway.
After nearly 30 years together, Walter and Scotty went on their own and signed with Capitol Records. Their 1993 self-titled album featured the cool, sentimental ballad, “I Want to Know Your Name.”
The Whispers were inducted into the Official R&B Music Hall of Fame in 2014, the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2003, and were winners of the Rhythm and Blues Foundation's prestigious Pioneer Award in 2008.
Taste of Soul is comprised of the finest local, ethnic, and international food and non-food vendors, electrifying live Gospel, R&B, Jazz, Dance, and local artists concert stages, social and healthcare resources, fun and socially themed pavilions, renowned local and internationally featured visual artists, and curated children’s themed events.
A Black cultural experience fused with diverse cultures and traditions, the largest one-day ‘free’ street festival in South LA is an annual event that attracts nearly 350,000 attendees every year — from California and beyond, who visit to experience all things soulful on historic Crenshaw Boulevard, from Obama Boulevard to Stocker Avenue, every 3rd Saturday in October.
For more information, visit https://www.tasteofsoulla.com/.
