Sixty-three years, millions of records and 11 No. 1 songs later, Exile has received an official reminder that Kentucky hasn’t forgotten where all of this started.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear has honored the longtime country-rock band with an official gubernatorial acclamation recognizing Exile’s career, musical legacy and connection to the Commonwealth.
The recognition brings the band’s story back to Richmond, Kentucky, where it began as The Exiles in 1963 before shortening the name to Exile in the early 1970s. What followed was one of those career paths that probably would have sounded overly ambitious if somebody had suggested it at the first rehearsal.
First, conquer the pop charts.
Then become country stars.
Then keep doing it for six decades.
The acclamation, dated February 10, recognizes the band’s perseverance, chart success, songwriting legacy and the generations of fans who have followed Exile throughout its career.
“Music is a part of who we are in Kentucky, and I am always grateful for the opportunity to celebrate artists who have helped shape our legacy,” Beshear said in a statement included with the announcement. He cited the band’s more than 60 years representing Kentucky through its music and career.
For Exile, the recognition carries additional weight because it comes from home.
“Kentucky is where our story began, and it has always been part of who we are,” the band said. “We were young musicians with big dreams when we started playing together in Richmond. Sixty-three years and a million miles later, we are still making music together.”
Those miles have covered considerably more territory than Richmond.
“Kiss You All Over” spent four weeks atop Billboard’s pop chart in 1978 before Exile shifted its attention toward country music in the 1980s and built another run of chart success. The band’s catalog ultimately produced 11 No. 1 songs across its pop and country chapters, while its members also built a substantial songwriting legacy beyond Exile.
The band has sold millions of records, earned three Gold albums and was inducted into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame in 2013. Current members J.P. Pennington, Les Taylor, Sonny LeMaire, Marlon Hargis and Steve Goetzman continue performing together.
There are plenty of stories about musicians leaving home to find success.
Exile managed the considerably harder trick of traveling around the world without allowing home to disappear from the story.
A million miles later, they’re still a Kentucky band.
The Commonwealth just made it official.
Learn More: Exile Official Website
Information provided by Exile’s publicity team.