The Falcons
Encyclopedia
The Falcons were an American
rhythm and blues
vocal group, some of whose members went on to be influential in soul music
.
The Falcons formed in 1955 in Detroit
, Michigan
on the Mercury Records
imprint
. After personnel changes in 1956, The Falcons had hits
for the Lupine Records
label
with the million selling "You're So Fine
" (1959), and "I Found A Love" (1962). The group were recording
under the production
wing of Robert West, who gave the group a gospel music
sound and recorded the singers on his own Flick label.
Stubbs was lead singer on the hits "Just For Your Love" (1959) and "The Teacher" (1960) before Wilson Pickett replaced him in 1960. After 1963, the Fabulous Playboys took over the Falcons name. The later group comprised Carlis 'Sonny' Monroe, James Gibson, Johnny Alvin, and Alton Hollowell. This group made the R&B chart in 1966, with "Standing On Guard."
Some members were replaced over time:
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues, often abbreviated to R&B, is a genre of popular African American music that originated in the 1940s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly to urban African Americans, at a time when "urbane, rocking, jazz based music with a...
vocal group, some of whose members went on to be influential in soul music
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
.
The Falcons formed in 1955 in Detroit
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
, Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
on the Mercury Records
Mercury Records
Mercury Records is a record label operating as a standalone company in the UK and as part of the Island Def Jam Motown Music Group in the US; both are subsidiaries of Universal Music Group. There is also a Mercury Records in Australia, which is a local artist and repertoire division of Universal...
imprint
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
. After personnel changes in 1956, The Falcons had hits
Hit record
A hit record is a sound recording, usually in the form of a single or album, that sells a large number of copies or otherwise becomes broadly popular or well-known, through airplay, club play, inclusion in a film or stage play soundtrack, causing it to have "hit" one of the popular chart listings...
for the Lupine Records
Lupine Records
Lu Pine Records was a small local record label in Detroit, Michigan, active during the late-1950s and 1960s. The label released records by a number of artists, including Joe Stubbs , Eddie Floyd, The Falcons and The Ohio Untouchables .Lu Pine is most notable for releasing the first recorded...
label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
with the million selling "You're So Fine
You're So Fine
"You're So Fine" is the title of a popular song performed by The Falcons. The song was released as a single in 1959 and reached number seventeen on the Pop Singles Chart....
" (1959), and "I Found A Love" (1962). The group were recording
Sound recording and reproduction
Sound recording and reproduction is an electrical or mechanical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording...
under the production
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
wing of Robert West, who gave the group a gospel music
Gospel music
Gospel music is music that is written to express either personal, spiritual or a communal belief regarding Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music....
sound and recorded the singers on his own Flick label.
Stubbs was lead singer on the hits "Just For Your Love" (1959) and "The Teacher" (1960) before Wilson Pickett replaced him in 1960. After 1963, the Fabulous Playboys took over the Falcons name. The later group comprised Carlis 'Sonny' Monroe, James Gibson, Johnny Alvin, and Alton Hollowell. This group made the R&B chart in 1966, with "Standing On Guard."
Membership
The Falcons were originally:- Eddie FloydEddie FloydEddie Lee Floyd is an American soul/R&B singer and songwriter, best known for his work on the Stax record label in the 1960s and 1970s and the song "Knock on Wood".-Biography:...
(1955-1963) - Bob Manardo (1955-1957)
- James Hamler (1955-1957)
- Arnett Robinson (1955-1957)
- Tom Shetler (1955-1957)
- Willie Schofield (1955-1963)
Some members were replaced over time:
- Joe Stubbs (1957-1960)
- Wilson PickettWilson PickettWilson Pickett was an American R&B/Soul singer and songwriter.A major figure in the development of American soul music, Pickett recorded over 50 songs which made the US R&B charts, and frequently crossed over to the US Billboard Hot 100...
(1960-1963) - Mack RiceMack RiceMack Rice , is a American songwriter, whose compositions have been performed by many well-known artists, including The Staple Singers, Ike and Tina Turner, Albert King, Johnnie Taylor, Shirley Brown, Rufus Thomas, Etta James, Billy Eckstine, Eddie Floyd, Buddy Guy, The Rascals, Wilson Pickett,...
(1957-1963) - Lance Finnie (1957-1963)
- Robert WardRobert Ward (blues musician)Robert Ward was an American blues and soul guitarist. He was known for founding the Ohio Untouchables, the band that later would become the Ohio Players...
(1957-1963) - Carlis (Sonny) Munro (1963-2008) *Francisco (Frank) Garcia II (2005-Present) *Calvin "Dhaak" Stephenson (2005-2008) *Charnissa Stephenson (2006-2008)
Discography
- "You're So Fine" (Relic 1985)
- "I Found A Love" (Relic 1985) ,"Has It Happened To You Yet"/"Lonely Nights" (Lupine Records -1964) *"Standing On Guard" (Big Wheel 1966) *"I Can't Help It" (Big Wheel 1966) *"I'm A Fool I Must Love You" (Big Wheel Early 1967) *"Love,Love Love" (Big Wheel Early 1967) *"Love Look In Her Eyes" (Big Wheel Late 1967) *"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,also released on "The Detroit Gold Volume One" LP distributed by Rhino Records.
External links
- The Falcons via soulwalking.com
- Eddie Floyd interview by Pete Lewis, 'Blues & Soul' July 2011