The Falcons

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For the Royal Air force parachute display team, see RAF Falcons. For other uses, see Falcons (disambiguation).

The Falcons were an American rhythm and blues vocal group, some of whose members went on to be influential in soul music.

History[]

The Falcons formed in 1955 in Detroit, Michigan on the Mercury Records imprint. After personnel changes in 1956, The Falcons had hits for the Lu Pine Records label with the million-selling "You're So Fine" (1959),[1] and "I Found a Love" (1962).[2] The group recorded under the production wing of Robert West, who gave the group a gospel sound and recorded the singers on his own Flick label. "You're So Fine" was a national hit, charting at No. 17, on United Artists' Unart label after being picked up from Flick.[2]

Joe Stubbs was the lead singer, also on the singles "Just for Your Love" (1959) and "The Teacher" (1960), before Wilson Pickett replaced him in 1960.[2] After 1963, the Fabulous Playboys took over the Falcons name. The later group comprised Carlis 'Sonny' Munro, James Gibson, Johnny Alvin, and Alton Hollowell.[2] This group made the R&B chart in 1966, with "Standing On Guard".[2] In 2005, Munro briefly reformed the group with Frank Garcia, Calvin Stephenson and Charnissa Stephenson.

On June 25, 2019, The New York Times Magazine listed The Falcons among hundreds of artists whose material was reportedly destroyed in the 2008 Universal fire.[3]

Singer and songwriter Willie Schofield (born December 30, 1939) died from acute kidney failure at his home in Southfield, Michigan on March 30, 2021, at age 81.[4]

Members[]

Some members were replaced over time:

  • Joe Stubbs (1957–1960)
  • Eddie Floyd (1957–1963)
  • Wilson Pickett (1960–1963)
  • Mack Rice (1957–1963)
  • Lance Finney (1957–1963)
  • Willie Schofield (1957–1963)
  • Robert Ward (1957–1963)
  • Carlis (Sonny) Munro (1963–2008)
  • Francisco (Frank) Garcia II (2005–2008)
  • Calvin "Dhaak" Stephenson (2005–2008)
  • Charnissa Stephenson (2006–2008)

Discography[]

  • "You're So Fine" (Lu Pine, 1959) (No. 17 US Hot 100) (the hit was after United Artists picked it up and issued it on their Unart label)
  • "This Heart of Mine"/"Just For Your Love" (Chess #1743, 1959)
  • "The Teacher" (1960)
  • "I Found a Love" (Lu Pine, 1962) (the hit was after Atlantic picked up Lu Pine for distribution)
  • "Has It Happened To You Yet"/"Lonely Nights" (Lu Pine, 1964)
  • "Standing On Guard" (Big Wheel, 1966)
  • "I Can't Help It" (Big Wheel, 1966)
  • "In Time for the Blues" (Big Wheel, Late 1967)
  • "The Falcons: Then and Now" (Independent Label, April 1995)
  • "Buy Now, Pay Later" (recorded by The Falcons under the name of The Firestones for Ollie McLaughlin's Moira Records label in 1969, released on The Detroit Gold Volume One LP distributed by Rhino Records)
  • "I Just Can't Wait" (recorded by The Falcons under the name of The Firestones for Ollie McLaughlin's Moira Records label in 1969, and was also released on The Detroit Gold Volume One)
  • "Gotta Make a Move" (Atkins All-Stars Records 1983)

References[]

  1. ^ Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p. 113. ISBN 0-214-20512-6.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e Colin Larkin, ed. (1993). The Guinness Who's Who of Soul Music (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 83. ISBN 0-85112-733-9.
  3. ^ Rosen, Jody (June 25, 2019). "Here Are Hundreds More Artists Whose Tapes Were Destroyed in the UMG Fire". The New York Times. Retrieved June 28, 2019.
  4. ^ "Willie M. Schofield 1939 - 2021". Legacy.com. Retrieved May 9, 2021.

External links[]

Retrieved from ""