Photos by Andy Argyrakis

Romance was in the air when two of R&B’s finest acts, The Whispers and Deniece Williams, brought some “Valentine’s Soul Jams” to the Hard Rock Live connected the mammoth casino of the same name.

The holiday double bill would’ve been enough of a cause for celebration, but it also marked a homecoming for Gary, Indiana native Williams, who found global fame as a four-time Grammy Award-winner and double Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper.

Though it wasn’t her inaugural appearance at the landmark venue following the “Guitar Smash” grand opening and unveiling of priceless memorabilia connected to the legend, this marked a debut performance inside the showroom.

It proved to be worth the wait and went way beyond the standard gifts of chocolates or roses, thanks in part to silky singles from the 1970s and ’80s, such as “Cause You Love Me, Baby” and “It’s Gonna Take A Miracle.”

Even at 75-years-old, Williams’ vocals remained in crystal condition while crooning “Black Butterfly,” “Free” and “Silly,” plus she had many dancing to the “Footloose” beats of “Let’s Hear It For The Boy.”

Co-headliners The Whispers, currently carried by co-founder Wallace “Scotty” Scott, 82, and long-timer Leaveil Degree, 77, have been going strong since the 1960s, meaning they had tons of grooves or ballads to consider, especially surrounding a pair of platinum and five gold albums.

“And The Beat Goes On” indeed as the principles and a funky backing band, comprised of eight prime players, more than lived up to their longevity, vibrantly dusting off “Say Yes,” “Keep On Lovin’ Me” and “In The Mood.”

Closely-stitched harmonies continued to tie together the timeless likes of “(Olivia) Lost And Turned Out,” “It’s A Love Thing” and “Lady,” on top of a salute to all the members lost along the way, including Wallace’s recently departed twin brother Walter Scott.

Despite being down to a duo, The Whispers could still “Rock Steady,” as the title of that Babyface-penned comeback track suggested, which like Williams beforehand, attracted a cross-generational crowd to a Hard Rock ready to reminiscence in the spirit of love.

For additional information on The Whispers and Deniece Williams, visit TheLegendaryWhispers.com and DenieceWilliams.com.

Upcoming shows at Hard Rock Live Northern Indiana include Musiq Soulchild (Feb. 15); Elite Fight Night 29 (Feb. 20); Method Man and Redman (Feb. 27); La Bouche, Quad City DJs and more (Feb. 28); Marlon Wayans (Mar. 6); Boy George & Culture Club (Mar. 7); Fey (Mar. 8); Chris Tucker (Mar. 28); Tyler Henry (Mar. 29); Kenny Wayne Shepherd (Apr. 24); The Temptations and The Four Tops (May 2); Lorna Shore (May 14); Northwest Indiana Symphony: “The Music Of Tina Turner” (May 22); Foghat and Nazareth (May 23). For additional details, visit HardRockCasinoNorthernIndiana.com.

Related Articles

“Let’s Hear It For…” the silky soul, gospel and soundtrack soprano Deniece Williams The funky Commodores work the Hard Rock Live “Night Shift” next to The Spinners’ soulfulness The Jacksons come home to Hard Rock Live in Gary to dance, shout and “Shake Your Body” Hard Rock rings in third birthday with The Jacksons’ homecoming, Eve 6’s alt-rock freebie “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” for Diana Ross throughout Supreme Hard Rock Live lovefest Romantic R&B, Shalamar grooves and the gospel praises of Howard Hewett please City Winery Peabo Bryson, “Idols” Ruben and Haley, Oleta Adams take Genesee “Home For The Holidays” Hard Rock Live boards Gladys Knight’s radiant “Midnight Train” in the midst of its 50th birthday