Managed by Clive Kinder, The Exits were an excellent five-piece soul band from Moss Side, showing all the signs of "making it" until three members of the band were badly injured in a road crash.
A great show and a good sound. Fond memories of their shows at The Pop Inn and St. Francis's, Wythenshawe.
Members later became THE EXPECTATIONS
Obviously we need more info about the EXITS. Can u help? Please email any info.
The Exits were a really great sould band I used to watch regularly at the youth clubs of south Manchester in the 60s. I booked them more than once for St Anthonys Youth Club Woodhouse Park Manchester.
There was a great set of groups at the time Phoenix City Smash Band , Rumble Fat Band etc and for a couple of bob kids from 14-18 could get live soul music from 8 til 1030 2/3 time a week if you wanted. There were real followings for each group and being black lads The Exits were always seen as very authentic soul sound even tho they didn't have the big brass sound of the Pheonix City ( move over Commitments!!).
We were all devestated when we heard about the crash - they were good looking lads and with TV exposure could probably have gone far - - great memories!! The youth clubs sound 'naff' by todays standards - 'stages' were often boards on school benches that we put up and took down each night - but were great venues run my members with just a couple of Adults.
Terry Dowling was the great youh club figure in south wythenshawe running the Fianna Phadriag Pipe Band and the youth club at 'St Ants', with drama groups and football teams. No alcohol - the odd keek trying to sell pills - but great places for kids to go and be safe an yet have a great time with great groups LIVE!!!!! We were right there with them blasting your ears and even on the 'stage' with them sometimes. When 'midnight hour' or RESPECT kicked the place errupted!
That was 'Big Society' and we could do with it back but there are precious few Terry Dowlings providing a safe venue for youngsters for over 20 years and never taking a penny for himself! So long as we covered our cost all was well. I think we typically paid about £50 for the groups!
Terry was always behind the scenes but without him and poeple like him that great soul scene in manchester just couldn't have flourished! As soon as were old enough - and even before -we 'graduated from St Ants and Cheadle Hulme Club to Twsited wheel and Sounds, Rowntrees and Blue Note so tho the big clubs had the reputation but they sure had help from the 'minnows'!!
Bill Hennessy
15/11/11
|
