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Monday, June 25, 2012

#1 Fan Happy 75th Mr. Eddie Floyd

Posted by Mike Nipper on Mon, Jun 25, 2012 at 2:24 PM

Alabama born birthday boy Eddie Floyd was a founding member of the seminal Detroit vocal group the Falcons, a group perhaps better known for later member, and R&B godhead, Wilson Pickett. After leaving the Falcons, Floyd signed to Stax Records as a writer and a solo artist, but...mostly, he was a writer. Once at Stax, as the label had a Atlantic Records connection, he, again, was working with Wilson Pickett. The two soon had a couple chart hits, "Ninety-Nine and a Half (Won't Do)" and "634-5789 (Soulsville USA)." Not bad, tho' that Stax full service, in-house team was unfuckwithable. As a staff writer he wrote for everyone on the label, Otis, Sam & Dave, Carla Thomas, Rufus Thomas...all of the Stax greats sang his songs!! He stayed with the label till it collapsed in 1976, but didn't have any major solo success after his "Knock On Wood." Of course, that song was a HUGE hit, an AM soul classic, in fact "Knock On Wood" is why I'd reckon everyone would know Floyd. My fave, of his like, one million sides, is "Big Bird." A relentless POUNDING dancer that is always in my play box.

Not a huge dancer, his "I've Never Found A Girl" is another fave...lordy, godamn, hard to beat that sophisticated Stax-y soul.

Floyd is still performing and recording, his last album, Eddie Loves You So, on Stax no less, was issued in 2008. Oh, if you give a shit, watch THIS a cool, short, Stax documentary, hosted by Floyd.