Entertainment

The Whispers Will Be Home for the Holidays at the Paramount

Published

9 years ago

November 4, 2015

The smooth velvety voices of The Whispers will come back to the Bay Area Nov. 28 at Oakland’s Paramount Theater.

Presented by Bay Area Productions, The Whispers’ “Home for the Holidays” concert will feature one of the most chart-topping R & B vocal groups of all time.

The legendary group, composed of twin brothers Walter and Wallace Scott, began singing with their friends 50 years ago. The group currently includes Nicholas Caldwell and Leaveil Degree. As balladeers of the 60s and 70s, The Whispers sang, “I’m Gonna Make You My Wife,” “Chocolate Girl,” and “Olivia.”

“It’s been an incredible feeling after five decades – we’ve gone from (being) daydreaming teens from the projects to our daydream coming true for the past 50 years,” said Walter Scott. “Our popularity, longevity and loyal fans are a true blessing.”

Scott also says the group considers Oakland home and that the city put them on the map. “The stations in L.A. wouldn’t play our record, but Sly Stone, the musical director of KDIA, played our regional hit, “The Dip,” on the radio, and the rest is history.”

With hits like “It’s a Love Thang,” “Lady” “And the Beat Goes On,” they emerged as leading romantic singers of their generation with gold albums charting numerous R&B favorites throughout the seventies and eighties.

The Whispers signed to Solar and Capitol Records and were the first artists featured on Soul Train, hosted by Don Cornelius. They gained national attention with albums, “One For The Money,” “Open Up Your Love,” and “Headlights” producing two singles, “All the Way” and “Olivia,” that made Billboard’s Top 20 R&B Charts.

Their first platinum album, “The Whispers,” featured “A Song For Donny,” in tribute to the late Donny Hathaway. “Just Gets Better With Time” and “Rock Steady” are other successful favorites along with “Lady,” written by group member Nicholas Caldwell.

“We were known as balladeers for two decades until the 80s with our R&B hit “And the Beat Goes On,” which went double platinum,” said Scott. A collaboration with Babyface produced “Rock Steady” landing at #1 for R&B and the US Top 10 pop charts.

“Toast to the Ladies” was released in 1995, 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 Babyface once again on the album “Songbook, Vol. 1: The Songs of Babyface.”

In 2006, The Whispers formed “Satin Tie Productions” and released “For Your Ears Only.” In 2009, they produced their first gospel album, “Thankful.”

Prior to coming to Oakland, the Whispers will spend seven days in Europe, performing in London, Manchester, Paris and Amsterdam. As for the future, Scott says fans can expect another album in mid-2016.

“We look forward to coming to Oakland – Oakland has been there from the beginning,” he said.

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A’s Last Game in Oakland Ends Baseball Team’s 57-Year Tenure Congresswoman Barbara Lee’s Efforts to Save Team Blocked by GOP-Controlled House

After 57 years, the Athletics have left Oakland following a home series this week. Though Congresswoman Barbara Lee introduced legislation to keep the team in Oakland, she could not get the backing she needed from other legislators in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives.

Published

7 days ago

October 1, 2024

Oakland Post

Wikimedia image.

By Post Staff

After 57 years, the Athletics have left Oakland following a home series this week.

Though Congresswoman Barbara Lee introduced legislation to keep the team in Oakland, she could not get the backing she needed from other legislators in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives.

Lee tried 15 months ago, the day before Nevada politicians approved $380 million in public funds to build a Las Vegas ballpark. Lee proposed a bill that would have stopped the A’s move by requiring a hefty exit fee that would have made them reconsider a move.

“That’s only fair,” Lee said in an interview in the Los Times by sportswriter Bill Shaikin. “That’s the only fair way to do it,” she said. “You’ve got to compensate the community, because the community has invested a heck of a lot.”

However, Lee’s bill could not go forward without the backing it needed. First, it went to the House Judiciary Committee chaired by Rep. Jim Jordan, the Ohio Republican. Jordan did not co-sponsor Lee’s bill or permit the committee hearing required for the bill to move forward.

“We put up a good fight. The city put up a good fight, the county, everyone,” said Lee.

“Unfortunately, we are losing a team that really, in the day, exemplified Black excellence in Oakland. It’s more than just the team leaving. It’s a part of Oakland’s history, and our culture,” she said.