Jimmy Stokley

James Carr Stokley known as Jimmy Stokley (born October 18, 1943) was a co-founder, business manager, lead vocalist, and flamboyant frontman of the band Exile and all its preceding names, from 1963 to 1979. He has been compared to Mick Jagger regarding his stage presence, charisma, and 'magnetic' personality. His clothing during the 1970s often embraced the glam rock fashion style.

Stokley was born on October 18, 1943, in Kentucky United States. He attended Madison Central High School (Kentucky). Stokley was survived by his mother Marie Stokley nee Simpson and Father, Elmer Stokley.

In 1962 Richmond, Kentucky a group of six high school students Jimmy Stokley, Billy Luxon, Paul Smith Jr., Mack Davenport, Doug Jones, Ernie Rhodus, and Ronnie Hall founded a band called The Fascinations.

In 1963 The Fascinations reformed and became Jimmy Stokley and the Exiles. The new lineup included four members of The Fascinations; Jimmy Stokley (lead vocals), Billy Luxon (trumpet), Paul Smith Jr. (bass guitar), and Mack Davenport (drums).

Lead guitarist Mike Howard, keyboardist Buzz Cornelison (aged 15), and bass guitarist J P Pennington (aged 14) were recruited shortly after by Stokley and Luxon, the latter two sought permission from their parents. Pennington replaced Paul Smith Jr. who was called into the army.

Doug Jones and Ernie Rhodus did not move to the reformed band. There is some debate between band members as to whether Ronnie Hall moved to the new band or not, either way, he joined the National Guard soon after and made no return to the band.

The band's name was later shortened to "The Exiles" sometime after October 1966 and finally shortened once again to Exile in 1973.

Jimmy Stokley and the Exiles were featured entertainers at the Miss Teen-Age Cincinnati contest finals in October 1966 as reported in The Cincinnati Enquirer, Cincinnati, Ohio on 08 Oct 1966. They are reported as all hailing from Richmond Kentucky, attending school there, having auditioned for Dick Clark for his Caravan of Stars recently, and going great guns ever since.

Stokley died aged 41 on 13 August 1985. Memorial details - Burial Madison County Memorial Gardens, Terrill, Madison County, Kentucky, USA. He had suffered complications from hepatitis and died in the emergency room of Pattie A. Clay Hospital, Richmond Kentucky USA. The Richmond native had been hospitalized several times in the previous year, and some Lexington radio and television stations had sponsored a benefit to raise money to meet his medical expenses.

During the "Jimmy Stokley and the Exiles" period, Stokley composed two songs published as an A and B side on 7" vinyl in 1966 on the LTD International record label. Alligator Time is also mentioned in an article published in October 1966 as "Jimmy Stokley and the Exiles latest record on the Monument Label".

It's Alligator Time / A Game Called Hurt

Stokley was honored posthumously at the 2013 Kentucky Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Kim Owens, Stokley’s cousin, accepted the award on his behalf. At the induction announcement, J.P Pennington acknowledged that early days Exile was Jimmy Stokley and the band rode his coattails.

Stokley is best known for his work in Exile and his lead vocal on the number-one hit record Kiss You All Over in 1978. It was an instant hit in over 60 countries and made the Top 5 of Billboard’s Year-End Hot 100 Singles of 1978, then later scored in the Top 10 of Billboard’s The 50 Sexiest Songs of All Time category. The iconic song has been showcased in feature films such as Happy Gilmore, Employee of the Month (2006 film), Zookeeper (film), and Wild Hogs, and is played in its entirety at the end of the 7th episode of Mindhunter (TV series) currently available as a Netflix original. It was a number-one hit charting for 17 weeks selling over a million copies. The song celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2018 and has currently sold over five million copies.