Exile Band - From Kentucky Roots To Chart-Topping Hits
For decades, music lovers have found something special in the sound of a group from Richmond, Kentucky, known as Exile. This American band has, in a way, crafted a remarkable path through different musical styles, giving us tunes that have really stuck with people. From their earliest days playing in clubs to becoming a household name with a massive hit, their story is, you know, quite a compelling one, showing how a band can adapt and keep going for a very long time.
The band, originally called "The Exiles," started way back in 1963. They've been through a lot of changes over the years, not just in the people playing but also in the kind of music they put out. You see, they’ve played country, soft rock, and even pop music, which is pretty unusual for one group. This willingness to shift their sound has, in some respects, helped them stay relevant for a very long time, appealing to different generations of fans.
Their journey includes many chart successes and a truly impressive number of recordings. It’s a testament to their lasting appeal that they continue to be a presence in the music world, even celebrating big anniversaries. Their history is, perhaps, a good example of persistence and a real dedication to making music, no matter how much the scene might change around them.
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Table of Contents
- The Beginnings of the Exile Band
- What Musical Paths Did the Exile Band Follow?
- How Many Recordings Does the Exile Band Offer?
- Who Were Some Key Figures in the Exile Band?
- The Enduring Success of the Exile Band with "Kiss You All Over"
- What is the Exile Band Doing to Mark Their Sixty-Year Milestone?
- The Lasting Spirit of the Exile Band
- The Exile Band's Influence and Continuing Story
The Beginnings of the Exile Band
The story of this remarkable group starts in 1963, in a place called Richmond, Kentucky. That's where Exile, an American band, came into being. They were, you know, originally known by a slightly different name, "The Exiles." From those early days, they began their musical journey as a club band, playing for audiences and honing their sound. This period of performing in clubs was, in some respects, where they built their foundation, gaining experience and connecting with people through their live shows.
Over the years, the group has seen quite a few people come and go, with several changes to who was playing in the band. Despite these shifts, the core idea of the music, you know, seems to have stayed true. They’ve managed to keep putting out songs and performing, which is a real accomplishment for any musical group that has been around for such a long time. It shows a real dedication to their craft, and to the people who enjoy their sound.
What Musical Paths Did the Exile Band Follow?
It’s interesting to think about how a single group can play so many different kinds of music, but the Exile band has, in a way, done just that. They’ve played country tunes, soft rock numbers, and even pop music. This ability to move between styles is, perhaps, one of the reasons for their long-standing appeal. They started with what you might call rock ‘n’ roll roots in Richmond, Kentucky, which gave them a certain energy.
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Then, in 1978, they had a really big pop hit called “Kiss You All Over.” This song, you know, went all the way to the top of the Billboard charts, which was a huge moment for them. It showed that they could, in fact, create music that resonated with a very wide audience, moving beyond their earlier sound. This shift was, basically, a kind of reinvention for them, allowing them to reach new listeners and explore different musical directions.
Later on, they also found significant success in the country music world. This kind of versatility, you see, is not something every band achieves. They managed to adapt their sound and keep making music that people wanted to hear, whether it was a pop song for the radio or a country tune that felt right at home. It’s a testament to their talent and their willingness to explore what music can be.
How Many Recordings Does the Exile Band Offer?
When you look at the sheer amount of music the Exile band has put out, it’s really quite something. They’ve released, you know, a very large collection of recordings over their many years together. This includes a good number of studio albums, which are their main musical statements. To be precise, they have given us 14 studio albums, each one representing a part of their musical story.
Beyond those, they’ve also put out other kinds of collections for their fans. There are five compilation albums, which often gather their popular songs or special tracks together. And for those who enjoy hearing the band live, they have released two live albums, capturing the energy of their performances. This commitment to recording their music means that, you know, there’s a lot for people to listen to, no matter what their preference.
Their output also extends to individual songs and visual content. The Exile band has released 40 singles, which are often the songs that get played on the radio and become popular. And in today’s world, music videos are a big part of how people experience songs, so it’s worth noting they have eight music videos. This body of work, you see, shows how active and productive they have been throughout their career, constantly giving their fans something new to enjoy.
Quite recently, the group put out their first album of original music in more than three decades. This new collection, called "A Million Miles Later," came out on August 25th. It’s, in a way, a celebration of all the experiences and adventures the band has had since they first started playing music 60 years ago. It’s, perhaps, a way for them to look back at their long path while also creating something new for the present.
Who Were Some Key Figures in the Exile Band?
A band’s sound is, you know, often shaped by the people who play in it, and the Exile band has had some truly important members over the years. Currently, the group includes J.P. Pennington and Les Taylor. Both of these individuals are guitarists, and they also contribute their voices to the band’s sound. Their presence is, in some respects, central to the group’s identity today.
Other key players in the current lineup include Sonny LeMaire, who handles the bass guitar and also sings. Then there’s Marlon Hargis, who plays the keyboards, adding a lot to the band’s musical texture. And Steve Goetzman keeps the rhythm going on the drums. These musicians, you see, make up the group that performs and records as Exile today, carrying on the band’s legacy.
One interesting story involves Marlon Hargis, who joined the Exile band in 1973. That was, basically, ten years after the group first started, and five years before they had their really big hit. At one point, his paycheck was, you know, around $75 a week. This was, apparently, a pretty significant pay cut for him, about $425 less than he had been making before. It shows a real dedication to the music, even when the financial side was a bit tough.
Another person who played a big part in the band’s history was Jimmy Stokley. He was an American musician and a member of the Exile band. In the 1970s, his voice and the band’s sound, you know, really captured the hearts and attention of many people who loved music, especially with their song, “Kiss You All Over.” He was, in a way, a very memorable part of their story, helping them reach a wide audience.
The Enduring Success of the Exile Band with "Kiss You All Over"
When people talk about the Exile band, one song often comes to mind right away: “Kiss You All Over.” This tune, you know, came out in 1978 and became a massive hit. It was performed by the group Exile, of course, and the song itself was put together by Mike Chapman and Nicky Chinn. It was, basically, a standout track on the band’s album called ‘Mixed Emotions,’ which really helped it get noticed.
The song’s popularity was, you know, quite remarkable. It spent a full four weeks at the very top of Billboard’s pop chart in 1978. That kind of success is, perhaps, something every musician hopes for, and it really cemented the Exile band’s place in music history. It was, in some respects, their signature song for a long time, introducing them to countless listeners.
Before and after that big hit, the band had other songs that did well too. Their pop/rock singles from around that time include:
- “Heart and Soul” from 1981
- “Take Me Down” from 1980
- “Don’t Leave Me This Way” from 1980
- “You Thrill Me” from 1979
- “Never Gonna Stop” from 1979
- And of course, “Kiss You All Over” from 1978
What is the Exile Band Doing to Mark Their Sixty-Year Milestone?
It’s truly a special thing for a band to reach its 60th anniversary, and the Exile band is, you know, marking this milestone in a big way. They are celebrating this incredible sixty-year journey with some new productions that are sure to please their long-time fans and introduce them to new ones. These efforts are, perhaps, a good way to look back at all they’ve accomplished.
The Kentucky Educational Television network, known as KET, is involved in bringing these celebrations to life. They are presenting two new productions featuring the Exile band. One of these is a documentary called “Exile: 60 Years of Music.” This film is, basically, going to include rare footage and photographs, giving people a unique look into the band’s history. It’s, you know, a chance to see how they’ve evolved over the decades.
The other production is called “Exile: Live in Concert.” This will be a performance that features their classic songs, allowing people to experience the band’s music in a live setting, even if they can’t be there in person. Both of these special features will be shown in March, giving fans a lot to look forward to. It’s, in a way, a wonderful tribute to their lasting impact on the music world.
These productions are, you know, a way for the band to share their story and their music with a wider audience. They invite people to share videos with friends, family, and everyone around the world. Being featured in these two KET productions is, perhaps, a significant recognition of their place in music history, especially for a group that started in Kentucky and went on to achieve such widespread recognition.
The Lasting Spirit of the Exile Band
The fact that the Exile band has been making music for sixty years is, you know, a real statement about their enduring spirit. Their recent album, "A Million Miles Later," is, basically, a celebration of all the adventures they’ve had since they first began playing music. It speaks to their ability to keep going, to keep creating, and to keep performing for so long. This kind of longevity is, perhaps, quite rare in the music business.
The group’s musical journey, from their earliest days to their current projects, shows a real dedication to their craft. They have, in a way, focused on the raw energy that you might associate with groups like the Rolling Stones from the late sixties and early seventies. This particular period in rock ‘n’ roll history, you see, is often seen as a time when bands truly made their mark, becoming unforgettable. It suggests that Exile, too, draws from a similar well of spirited performance.
They’ve managed to adapt their sound, moving between country, soft rock, and pop, yet they’ve always maintained a certain musical identity. This ability to stay true to themselves while also exploring new sounds is, perhaps, one of the secrets to their long career. They’ve managed to release a lot of music, play many shows, and keep their fans engaged, which is a big deal for any group that has been around for so long.
The Exile Band's Influence and Continuing Story
The Exile band’s influence can be seen in their consistent chart successes and their ability to move across different musical styles. They’ve had songs that topped the pop charts and later found a strong footing in country music. This kind of versatility, you know, means they’ve touched many different listeners over the years. Their story is, basically, one of adapting and persisting in a constantly changing music landscape.
Their sixty-year journey is, perhaps, a good example of how a group can build a lasting career by staying true to their musical passion while also being open to new directions. From their beginnings as a club band in Kentucky to becoming a well-known name with hit songs, the Exile band has, in a way, created a significant place for themselves in American music history. They continue to tell their story through their music and their ongoing projects, showing that their journey is far from over.
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DISCOGRAPHY | EXILE Official Website
DISCOGRAPHY | EXILE Official Website
