Often credited as having cut the first true soul record in 1959 with "You're So Fine," a host of '60s soul stars called themselves
Falcons at one time or another, including founder
Eddie Floyd,
Wilson Pickett,
Sir Mack Rice, and
100 Proof Aged in Soul's
Joe Stubbs. Originally an integrated R&B group headed by
Floyd,
the Falcons debuted on Mercury in 1955. Under the production aegis of
Robert West,
the Falcons' sound became more gospel-based as time passed, and with
Stubbs as lead, the seminal "You're So Fine" was a major hit in 1959.
Pickett screamed the gospel-fired ballad "I Found a Love" to national prominence on
West's LuPine label in 1962, backed by guitarist
Robert Ward's
Ohio Untouchables. When
Pickett went solo shortly thereafter, the members went their separate ways.
West recruited another group,
the Fabulous Playboys, who took over the
Falcons name, but with little success.
–
Bill Dahl, Rovi