Billy Scott (Born Peter Pendleton)
October 5, 1942 – November 17, 2012
Billy Scott was a popular R&B singer whose hits from the ’60s and ’70s struck a chord along the beach music scene of along the southeast coast of the United States. Beach music is a variant of R&B which is closely associated with shag dancing, popular in and around the North and South Carolina beach communities. Born in Huntington, West Virginia, Scott took an early shine to the rhythm and blues songs he heard on the radio. He honed his chops while performing in various groups while still in the Army, and after being honorably discharged in 1964, he changed his name professionally to Billy Scott and began performing with his wife as the Prophets. Over the course of his career, Scott had hits with “I Got The Fever” – a gold record, “Seaside Love,” and “California.” The Prophets (later known as the Georgia Prophets) went on to have numerous regional hits throughout the ’70s. Scott continued to perform in front of adoring crowds along the Beach Music circuit well into his 60s. Billy Scott was 70 when he died of liver and pancreatic cancer on November 17, 2012.