The Whispers put 15 songs inside the Top 10 of Billboard’s R&B chart, including “Rock Steady” and “And the Beat Goes on.”

Walter Scott, co-founder of The Whispers and voice behind hits like “And the Beat Goes On” and “Rock Steady,” has died at 81 after a battle with cancer, according to local reports.

Socialites, let’s take a moment to send love and light to the family and fans of Walter Scott — a true R&B legend and one of the founding members of The Whispers — who has sadly passed away at the age of 81 after a six-month battle with cancer.