The Exciters
The Exciters were an American pop and R&B group originating from Queens, New York, active from 1961 to 1974. Initially formed as a girl group called the Masterettes by high school friends Brenda Reid, Carolyn Johnson, Lillian Walker, and Sylvia Wilbur, they later added male member Herb Rooney, who was part of the Masters and later married Reid. After several lineup changes, including the departure of Wilbur and Penny Carter, the group was renamed the Exciters.
Their breakthrough came with the hit single "Tell Him," produced by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, which reached number 4 on the U.S. pop chart in 1963. The song's intensity marked a shift in the portrayal of femininity in popular music, influencing acts like the Shangri-Las and the Ronettes. "Tell Him" also inspired Dusty Springfield to pursue a solo career.
The Exciters released other notable songs such as "He's Got the Power," "Get Him," and "Blowing Up My Mind," and recorded "Do-Wah-Diddy," which was later a hit for Manfred Mann. They were one of the opening acts for the Beatles during their 1964 North American tour, famously becoming the first black musicians to perform at the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, Florida, after the Beatles insisted on their inclusion.
Despite leaving United Artists for Roulette Records and later recording for Bang, Shout, and RCA, the Exciters struggled to replicate their early success. The group's lineup included members such as Brenda Reid, Herb Rooney, Carolyn Johnson, Lillian Walker, Sylvia Wilbur, Penny Carter, Ronnie Pace, and Skip McPhee.
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