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Compilation
The Falcons were an American R&B vocal group active from 1955 to 1963.
In 1960 a young Wilson Pickett replaced Joe Stubbs in The Falcons, joining existing members Eddie Floyd, Mack Rice, Willie Schofield and Lance Finnie. In the early 60s they released several more singles, their sound becoming increasingly soulful. Their backing musicians at this time were usually Robert Ward's Ohio Untouchables. 1962 gave them their second biggest hit, "I Found A Love", written by Pickett and featuring his distinctive lead vocals. It got to #6 on the R&B chart. It was one of Pickett's first great songs, and an early indication of the success that was soon to come his way.
Shortly after its success Pickett embarked on a solo career. The Falcons broke up in 1963. Pickett wasn't the only one to go on to great things, as both Mack Rice and Eddie Floyd became successful singers and songwriters on the Stax record label. Pickett himself later had a hit with Rice's "Mustang Sally" in 1966.
This sixteen-song compilation (originally released in 1985) covers the Wilson Picket era of The Falcons' history. Three of these recordings (including "I Found A Love") would later find their way onto Pickett's 1965 album In The Midnight Hour.
Though the group had broken up, The Falcons name did see some use after 1963. It was taken over by The Fabulous Playboys, led by Carlis 'Sonny' Monroe. However they never had any successes to compare with "You're So Fine" or "I Found A Love".
You're So Fine: The Falcons' Story Part One (1955-1960) <|
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Compilation
The Falcons were an American R&B vocal group active from 1955 to 1963.
The Falcons were formed in 1955 in Detroit, Michigan. Originally they were a mixed race group, consisting of Eddie Floyd, Bob Manardo, Arnett Robinson, Tom Shetler and Willie Schofield. This first line-up released the single "Baby That's It" in 1956, before Manardo and Shetler (the two white members) left. Manardo was replaced by Joe Stubbs (brother of The Four Tops' Levi Stubbs), who also brought with him guitarist Lance Finnie. Robinson was the next to leave, to be replaced by Mack Rice. This left them with the first classic Falcons lineup - Floyd, Stubbs, Rice, Schofield and Finnie. The now all-black group started to emphasis the R&B and gospel elements of their sound, and so became early forerunners of the Soul genre. Their biggest hit was "You're So Fine", which got to #17 on the pop chart and #2 on the R&B chart in 1959, with Stubbs on lead vocals.
Stubbs left the group in 1960, and was replaced by Wilson Pickett. This album (originally released in 1985) chronicles the Joe Stubbs era of the group, with songs from both the first lineup (with Manardo and Shetler) and the 'classic' lineup. Its release was the first time that their songs had been compiled onto an album.
|> I Found A Love: The Falcons' Story Part Two (1960-1963)
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