The Falcons

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), and "I Found a Love" (1962). 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.

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. After 1963, the Fabulous Playboys took over the Falcons name. The later group comprised Carlis 'Sonny' Munro, James Gibson, Johnny Alvin, and Alton Hollowell. This group made the R&B chart in 1966, with "Standing on Guard". In 2005, Munro briefly reformed the group with Frank Garcia, Calvin Stephenson and Charnissa Stephenson.

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.

Members

Some members were replaced over time:

• Eddie Floyd (1955–1962; 1963)
• Bob Manardo (1955–1956)
• Arnett Robinson (1955–1956)
• Tom Shelter (1955–1956)
• Willie Schofield (1955–1962; 1962–1963)
• Joe Stubbs (1956–1960; 1963)
• Lance Finney (1956–1963)
• Mack Rice (1956–1963)
• Wilson Pickett (1960–1963)
• Ben Knight (1962)
• Gene "Earl" Martin (1962–1963)
• Carlis "Sonny" Monroe (1963–1970; 1982–2008)
• James Gibson (1963–1970)
• Johnny Alvin (1963–1970)
• Alton "Bart" Hollowell (1963–1970)
• Chester Flemings (1959)
• Francisco "Frank" Garcia II (2005–2008)
• Calvin "Dhaak" Stephenson (2005–2008)
• Charnissa Stephenson (2006–2008)

Discography

Singles

References

References

1. "Biography". [[AllMusic]].
2. Murrells, Joseph. (1978). "The Book of Golden Discs". Barrie and Jenkins Ltd.
3. (1993). "[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music". [[Guinness Publishing]].
4. "Willie M. Schofield 1939 - 2021".
5. [https://www.uncamarvy.com/Falcons/falcons.html Marv Goldberg's R&B Notebooks - The Falcons]. Marv Goldberg, based on interviews with Joe Stubbs, Willie Schofield, Mack Rice, and James Gibson. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
6. "The Falcons Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography".