The Exciters were an American pop music group of the 1960s. They were originally a girl group, although a male member (Herb Rooney) was added later. The group consisted of lead singer Brenda Reid, her husband Herb Rooney, Carolyn Johnson and Lillian Walker.
Career
The Exciters' first hit, produced by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, was "Tell Him" (U.S. #4) in late 1962. Other songs included "He's Got the Power", "Get Him" and Northern Soul classic "Blowing Up My Mind". The Exciters also recorded the original version of "Do Wah Diddy Diddy" in 1963; it was covered shortly after by Manfred Mann, for whom it was an international hit.
Billie Davis successfully covered the Bert Berns penned, "Tell Him" in 1963.
Dusty Springfield heard "Tell Him" on a visit to New York in 1962 with The Springfields, and their sound was the catalyst for her own solo recordings.
In 1975, the group enjoyed a hit single with "Reachin' for the Best", produced by Rooney and young newcomer producer Ian Levine. The song was aimed at the British Northern soul scene but crossed over to the UK Singles Chart where it peaked at No. 31.
In 2009, "Tell Him" was included on the soundtrack for the DreamWorks Animation film Monsters vs. Aliens.
Group members Reid and Rooney are the parents of Sony producer and label executive Mark C Rooney.
Death
New York born (1945) Carolyn 'Carol' Johnson died on 7 May 2007, aged 62.
See also
List of 1960s one-hit wonders in the United States
United Artists Records
List of doo-wop musicians
Original Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exciters
