(April 7, 2021) So many talented artists came out of the Detroit area in the 60s and 70s, and many of them brought music to the world without the associated fame. One of these was singer and songwriter Willie Schofield, who recently died of kidney failure at age 81, at his home in Southfield, Michigan.
As a group member of The Falcons, along with original members Lance Finney, Eddie Floyd, Sir Mac Rice and Joe Stubbs, Schofield was part of the act that scored with the smash “You’re So Fine” and a half dozen other hits in the late 50s and early 60s. And when Stubbs left the group, Schofield was also instrumental in recruiting his replacement, future star Wilson Pickett.
(April 7, 2021) So many talented artists came out of the Detroit area in the 60s and 70s, and many of them brought music to the world without the associated fame. One of these was singer and songwriter Willie Schofield, who recently died of kidney failure at age 81, at his home in Southfield, Michigan.
As a group member of The Falcons, along with original members Lance Finney, Eddie Floyd, Sir Mac Rice and Joe Stubbs, Schofield was part of the act that scored with the smash “You’re So Fine” and a half dozen other hits in the late 50s and early 60s. And when Stubbs left the group, Schofield was also instrumental in recruiting his replacement, future star Wilson Pickett.
Schofield left the group in 1963, but continued writing for such acts as The Dells, The Dramatics, and Smokey Robinson & The Miracles. But throughout this period, he kept a day job at Ford Motor Company, where he worked for more than three decades, retiring in 1995.
Schofield was honored with The Falcons in the Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame in 2016.
Willie Schofield is survived by his wife, Doris, daughter Debra, and many family members, as well as deep soul music lovers, who will remember his significant contributions to the Golden Age of Soul Music.
By Chris Rizik