During Valentine’s Day weekend Chicago was not only filled with elite basketball players & celebrity talent making their way to the United Center for All-Star Weekend, but it was also full of endless romantics. To help those romantics serenade their love was none other than the famed Whispers.

The Whispers began their legendary and timeless career in 1963. Twin brothers Walter and Wallace Scott joined with friends Nicholas Caldwell, Marcus Hutson, and Gordy Harmon to form a local singing group. They perfected their tight harmonies on the street corners in the Watts section of Los Angeles and in nightclubs in the San Francisco/Oakland Bay Area.

They began singing together as “the Eden trio” created by Nicholas Caldwell and Marcus Hutson. Later, they were renamed “The Whispers” by Lou Bedell of Dore Records. The group recorded nine singles for the Dore label between 1964 and 1967. Their fame grew in the Bay Area while performing in a series of what was known as “The Battle of the Bands” where they competed against other local acts for their fans appreciation and affection. 

They gained national attention with their seventies albums, “One For The Money“, “Open Up Your Love“, and “Headlights” producing two singles that graced Billboard’s Top 20 R&B Charts: “(Let’s Go) All the Way” and “(Olivia) Lost and Turned Out“.  Nicholas Caldwell, 1944-2016 (age 71), born in Loma Linda CA, passed away quietly at his California Bay Area home on Monday, 5 January 2016. 

Almost six decades later, the trio is still showing their fans appreciation and affection. The group took to the stage on Valentine’s Day weekend and performed to a sold-out show. Also included in the line-up was The Dramatics & Jeffery Osbourne. The energy in the room was infectious. It didn’t matter your age, color or creed… it was the love of the music that brought everyone together that night. All of the talents put on a romantic and entertaining show for all the couples in the house. Back in 2009, I had the pleasure of interviewing The Whispers at The Macy’s Cincinnati Music Festival. 

Well here it is almost ten years later and the twins remembered and recognized me, during our meet & greet, like it was yesterday. Moments and encounters like these continuously remind me why I love being an entertainment reporter as well as supporting good music and artist. What a great way to spend Valentine’s Day!

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