|
Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZEXILEAmerican pop-rock group that turned country for consistent success on country charts. Formed '63 as the Exiles by J.P. Pennington, son of Lily May Ledford (one of the Coon Creek Girls), in Berea Kentucky. They played locally and toured for a time as part of the Dick Clark Caravan of Stars backing Bryan Hyland, Tommy Roe, etc. Recorded for labels including Date, Columbia, SSS International, Curb and Wooden Nickel without success. They shortened the name to Exile '73 and signed to Atco, made the pop chart with 'Try It On' '77 and were taken on by British pop writers Mike Chapman and Nicky Chinn, signed to Rak in UK, WB in USA and scored a massive no. 1 worldwide hit with 'Kiss You All Over' '78. Heavy touring followed but pop success receded; they returned to Kentucky to regroup. Worked on original songs, produced demos with a country-flavour and provided country stars Janie Fricke, Dave & Sugar and Alabama with big country hits; signed with Epic in Nashville and set out on ten chart-topping country singles including 'Woke Up In Love', 'I Don't Want To Be A Memory', 'Give Me One More Chance' all '84; 'She's A Miracle' '85, 'She's Too Good To Be True' '87. The group now including Pennington. lead vocals and guitar; Les Taylor on guitar, Marion Hargis on keyboards, Sonny Lemaire on bass, Steve Goetzman on drums. Towards the end of the '80s various members began to depart; Les Taylor (b 27 December 1948, Oneida KY), signed a solo contract with Epic '89, had minor country hits and albums That Old Desire '90, Blue Kentucky Wind '91; Pennington left '90, signed with MCA and concentrated on songwriting; Goetzman became Steve Wariner's manager. Other members of the band include Mark Gray on keyboards and vocals, Lee Carroll on keyboards, Mark Jones on guitar and vocals; a totally new four-piece Exile line-up signed with Arista '90 scoring a couple of top 10 country singles, but called it a day when dropped by Arista '93. More albums included Kentucky Hearts and Hang On To Your Heart '84-5 on Epic, Still Standing '90 on Arista. |