Herbert Louis Rooney (born 1940 - February 16, 1991)[2] was an American record producer who was responsible for writing, producing and singing bass[3] on songs by the Exciters and for writing[4] and producing[5] the sample staple Synthetic Substitution by Melvin Bliss.

Between 1964 and the mid-1980s at time of his death Herb Rooney was married to Barbara Rooney.

[6] They married in 1959 and had 3 children.

He also had 4 children by lead singer Brenda Reid, one son, Cory Rooney, who played keyboard for Herb and Brenda when touring and 3 daughters[7] and produced for Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, Jessica Simpson, Jennifer Lopez,[8] Marc Anthony, Thalia, Destiny's Child, and many more.

Post-The Exciters saw Rooney running his own cosmetics firm.