Scott died of pancreatic cancer, according to his friend Harry Turner, reported WBTV.
Also known as regional variant of rhythm & blues, beach music is also associated with rock and pop music and became popular in the 1950s and ’60s.
Scott got his start singing in groups while in the Army, and when he was discharged in 1964, the singer and his wife Barbara began recording at The Prophets in the beach music genre.
After performing with the group Billy Scott and the Party Prophets at venues in both North and South Carolina in 1968, their album “I Got The Fever” went gold.
Other hits included “California” and “Seaside Love” as the Georgia Prophets.
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In 1999, Scott was inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame.
The Charlotte, N.C. resident served as Chairman of the Beach Music Association International, where Harry Turner serves as President.
Those who knew him personally as well as fans are mourning the Huntington, WV-born singer on social media sites on Monday.
“He was one of the most amazing people you’ll ever be around,” recounted Turner, according to the Herald Online.
On Twitter, Jonathan posted, “RIP Billy Scott.”
“Beach Music lost a legend… The Party Prophets will never be the same… RIP Billy Scott,” wrote Sherry.
“Such sad news about the passing of Billy Scott,” wrote Cindy. “He had the ‘fever’ and was a great band leader!”
“Our condolences on the death of Billy Scott, who sang beautifully at the 2012 Carolina Cup,” Carolina Cup Racing posted.
Many of Scott’s friends joined in Myrtle Beach, S.C. on Sunday to remember the singer and raise donations for his family. The event took place at Duck’s Beach Club and saw a live band and dinner, according to WBTW.com.
Scott leaves behind his wife, Gail.
Other artists important to the formative years of Beach Music include Smokey Robinson, The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, and Otis Redding, among many more, according to AllMusic.com.
