Co-Founder, Singer With R&B Group The Whispers Dies At 71

NASHVILLE (CBSLA/AP) — Nicholas Caldwell, co-founder and singer with the California R&B group The Whispers, has died. He was 71.

Willette Ballard, a representative for the group, said Caldwell died Tuesday of congestive heart failure at his San Francisco home.

Formed in Watts in 1963, Caldwell was an original member of the group that included brothers Walter and Wallace Scott, Marcus Hutson and Gordy Harmon. The group began like many groups did in the 50s -- standing on street corners and finding harmonies. They perfected their sound in Bay area nightclubs.

Their first top 10 R&B hit was in 1970 with "Seems Like I Gotta Do Wrong." Their first album to go platinum was "The Whispers" in 1980. It included the disco hit, "And The Beat Goes On," a break-up song which featured the classic line, "Just like fishing in the ocean, there'll always be someone new."

Caldwell also penned some of their songs, including the fan favorite "Lady" (not to be confused with a Commodores song of the same name.)

The group also had an R&B and pop hit "Rock Steady" with Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds. Another big hit included the dance song, "It's A Love Thing."

According to their official website, they were also the first group signed to Don Cornelius' record label, "Soul Train Records."

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