Mickey, Larry, and the Exciters

Akron, 1965 - c.1977

Mickey "Farrell" Esposito and Larry Alltop were paired together to form a show supergroup called Mickey, Larry, and the Exciters.

Larry Alltop was from Akron and a big star in the local club circuit. Mickey Farrell came from the Farrell, PA area and had regional success with his bands the Generals and the Dynamics. 

The group hit the national club circuit and were recognized all over the US, playing top tier clubs in Las Vegas, New York City, Massachusetts, Miami, Lake Tahoe, wherever the swinging (adults) were partying. They also made numerous TV appearances, including the Today Show, Joey Bishop show, and the Mike Douglas show.

The group recorded a couple 45s on Chicago based labels. The records were probably done more as marketing items than attempts to make a recording career. One of the 45s was on Twinight, a Chicago label that had a few hits and some mega-rare soul records. Both sides were remakes of recordings by Sam and Dave and the Righteous Brothers. The other record (not sure which was first) was on a smaller Chicago label, Tuff. The A-side "Reaper Of Rain" was credited to label owner Abner Spector and shows a different side of the band, with some heavy guitar and hard R&B groove. The flip side was a remake of a midtempo song recorded earlier by Walter Jackson and the UK's Beatstalkers.

The band was booked by Charles Lawrence productions in Boston for much ot their prime career. They continued their road adventures into the mid 1970s. Mickey retired from the group around 1975 and settled in Cincinnati. The group continued as Larry and the Exciters. 

Larry and the Exciters released a live LP in 1977, recorded live at the Navarone in Chicago, per the album cover. The song selection is more interesting than a lot of club bands from the time, including songs such as "Dreaming A  Dream" (originally by the Crown Heights Affair) and "I've Got To Use My Imagination" (by Gladys Knight and the Pips). The back cover has a brief bio of Larry and lists a number of current and former members. 

The Exicters were retired about 1980 and Larry returned to the Akron area, He has continued to perform to the present day (2024)

Discography:
Stranded In The Middle Of Noplace / You Don't Know What You Mean To Me - Twinight 119, 1969
Reaper Of Rain /  My One Chance To Make It - Tuff 422, 1969
LP - Larry Alltop and the Exciters Band - Patriot 1001, 1977