60 Years Later, Still Sounding Great, Exile Returns to East Texas

Memorable Events of 1963

• The assassination of President Kennedy
• Zip Codes were first used in the U.S.
• A nice 3 bedroom/2 bathroom home cost under $20,000
• The 'Smiley Face' was first used
• The musical group 'Exile' formed

60 Years Later...

You would be hard-pressed to find a touring band that has been around for 30 years, much less 60 years. KISS, formed in 1973, is wrapping up its tour some 50 years later. The band U2 is still touring 45 years after it formed. The Who formed in 1964 and they are still getting up on stage some 59 years later.

In 1963, a group of middle schoolers and high school freshmen got together and formed a band they named 'Exile'. They performed on flatbed trailers, at proms, community functions, and anywhere else they could get work and experience.

The Kiss of Life

Fifteen years after forming, Exile struck it big. Their song "Kiss You All Over" achieved gigantic success on the Pop charts, and to this day, that song still has legs and is being used in movies and TV shows.

However, the group had difficulty following up on the 1978 smash record. During this time, some of their pop songs that found no success were being re-recorded by country artists and taken to the top of the country charts.

Exile Goes Country

"Take Me Down" and "The Closer You Get", which became signature hits for Alabama, were written and originally performed by members of Exile. Seeing this country success, the band decided to try their hand at putting a country spin on their songs, and that move paid off.

Through the 1980s, the band amassed 10 number-one songs such as "She's A Miracle", "It'll Be Me", and "Crazy For Your Love". Exile received 11 nominations including Vocal Group of The Year and Best Instrumental Performance for the Country Music Association and Academy of Country Music Awards.

Exile is Coming to East Texas

Saturday, June 24, Exile is coming to Steel Horse Saloon in Apple Springs, Texas. It will be a great night of fun, dancing, and reminiscing. It's all part of the 'Rockin' the River Bottom' concert series.

You can purchase tickets at this link.