Billy
Scott Tribute
Lead of Georgia Prophets, Billy Scott & the Prophets
1942 - 2012
Billy Scott, center
In what has been a tragic month for R&B
music, we are again saddened to report another major loss. Billy
Scott, lead of Billy Scott & the Prophets (also known as the Georgia
Prophets), died Saturday November 17, 2012, after a short battle with
cancer. He was 70 years old. Billy Scott's biggest hit was "I've
Got The Fever," recorded with the Prophets. Billy was best known in
the Carolina Beach Music scene, where he was regarded as one of the field's
finest entertainers. After following his music for years, we finally
met Billy in 2008. He treated us like he'd known us all his life.
We've posted this tribute page so that Billy Scott's legacy will live on
through his music.
Billy Scott was born as Peter Pendleton on
October 5, 1942, in Huntington, West Virginia. Billy Scott was a stage
name he took when his music career started to take off, but from here on,
we'll refer to him as Billy Scott. As a teenager, Billy sang lead in a
local WV group called the Parliaments (no recordings). After serving
in the army, Billy settled down in Augusta, Georgia, where he married singer
Barbara Goudy. In 1965, Billy and Barbara began singing with a white
instrumental band in Augusta called the Scottsmen. In addition to
vocalists Billy & Barbara Scott, the band included Walter Stanley, Freddie
Williamson, Jimmy Campbell and Tommy Witcher.
By 1967, the group began calling themselves
the Prophets and recorded a couple of singles for the Augusta, GA, label,
Delphi: "Talk Don't Bother Me" b/w "Don't Look Back" (Delphi #007)
and "Don't You Think It's Time" b/w "I Don't Love You No More Baby" (Delphi
#009). The Prophets started playing Myrtle Beach and "Don't You
Think It's Time Baby" became a Carolina Beach Music success. As their
popularity soared in the Southeast, both releases were picked up by the
larger, Jubilee label.
(From the Classic Urban Harmony Archives)
(From the Classic Urban Harmony Archives)
In 1968, the Prophets signed with Smash
Records and recorded what was probably their biggest record, "I've Got
The Fever". The record was later reissued on the Eric label with the
group's name listed as Creation. It attracted a whole new following in
the UK as a Northern Soul record.
(From the Classic Urban Harmony Archives)
Also, in 1968, the Prophets added Billy
Walker as another vocalist. With "I've Got The Fever" gaining
popularity, the Prophets drew the attention of another band with the same
name. In response, Billy Scott's band made a name change to the
Georgia Prophets.
As the Georgia Prophets, the group recorded
"For The First Time" for Double Shot Records in 1969 and two records,
"California" and "Nobody Loves Me Like You Do" for Capricorn in 1970.
(From the Classic Urban Harmony Archives)
Click the Youtube below to hear Billy Scott & the Georgia Prophets recording
of "California". Released on the Capricorn label in 1970, it's
a Carolina Beach Music classic.
California by the Georgia Prophets.
(From the Classic Urban Harmony Archives)
As the group's personnel changed over the
years, Billy Scott continued performing and recording in the Beach Music
scene, first as with the Three Prophets, and later as Billy Scott & the
Prophets, Billy Scott and finally as Billy Scott & the Prophets Party Band.
(From the Classic Urban Harmony Archives)
Billy Scott and the Prophets were the cover
story (written by Jerry McElveen) of a 1979 issue of It Will Stand
magazine. The article goes into great detail about the Prophets'
musical history. Billy Scott is also included in Rick Simmon's book,
"Carolina Beach Music: The Classic Years," also recommended.
It Will Stand magazine (1979) with
Billy Scott & Prophets
(From the Classic Urban Harmony Archives)
Billy Scott's label, 3-P
(From the Classic Urban Harmony Archives)
(From the Classic Urban Harmony Archives)
(From the Classic Urban Harmony Archives)
(From the Classic Urban Harmony Archives)
Billy Scott
(From the Classic Urban Harmony Archives)
After collecting Billy Scott's recordings for
years, we finally had a chance to meet him and see him perform in 2008 at
the Charleston Beach Music and Shag Festival. When we introduced
ourselves to him and explained who we were, Billy acted as if he'd known us
all his life. That's the kind of person Billy was. He was always
smiling and always so full of energy and life.
Billy Scott & Pam Horner
Billy Scott & Charlie Horner
Duet between Cindy Floyd & Billy Scott
Billy Scott reportedly fell ill shortly after
celebrating his 70th birthday on October 5, 2012. He was diagnosed
with liver and pancreatic cancer. Billy Scott died at his home in
Charlotte, NC, Saturday November 17, 2012. He leaves behind, his wife
Gail, and many saddened fans. Carolina Beach Music has lost one of its
brightest stars.
Copyright © Classic Urban Harmony LLC, 2012. All
Rights Reserved.
