Bill Deal Television Concert- billdealonline.com or billdeal.com

[EditorBPress]

Actually, they didn't get swamped by the British invasion at all. Bill Deal & the Rhondels had three national hits in 1969--well after the Brits showed up on this side of the Atlantic. They had their own national tour in 1970. Bill Deal said this about touring: “You travel from town to town, different room every night. When you have children back home, that’s something that’s important. We decided to pull off the road and stay home. It worked out well.” So they chose to be a good regional band.

[sammyselmer]

I remember the Peppermint Beach Club in Virginia Beach as the home of Bill Deal & the Rhondels, featuring Roy Hines. They were THE premier band in the entire Tidewater area in the 60s, when Rhythm & Blues became Soul Music. Always had a tight brass section, excellent musicians, excellent performances! They often shared the stage with Buddy & the Pop Tops. On the Peninsula (my side), it was The Fugitives (Hampton), and The Sheepherders (Newport News). Great memories!

[TheNdcarson01]

great songs! Thanks for posting this! Brings back Great memories!

[SIGNALSTAT]

great memories of growing up in portsmouth va and going to townpoint park in norfolk and seeing bill deal and ammon tharp back in the 80s.rest in peace bill.

[pvtpstr]

I'll never forget my big sis sneaking me into the Va Beach Peppermint Lounge one summer Sunday afternoon in '66 to see the original group. Their sound was so full and powerful, it just completely wrecked any pride I felt in my own crappy little garage band.

[lakewoodil]

East coast beach music at its best, period.

[JOEP123ful]

THESE GUY'S ARE FANTASTIC...I'M SO SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT MR.DEAL....THAT WAS A BLOW I WAS'NT READY FOR....SUCH A GREAT TALENT....I GREW UP IN MASSACHUSETTS IN THE EARLY 60'S RIGHT UP UNTILL 1975....YOU ALWAYS HEARD BILL AND THE RHONDELS. ON THE AM STATIONS...WE COULD PICK UP WCAO LATE AT NIGHT AND LISTEN TO WHAT WAS HAPPINING IN AND AROUND THE BALTIMORE AREA...MR. THARP...BEING A DRUMMER MYSELF...I WOULD LOVE TO JAM WITH YOU.. THANKS FOR POSTING R I P MR.DEAL WE SURE MISS YOU...

[HoosierDaDa]

One of my fav's from the late 60's! Too bad we lost Bill at an early age but his talent and tunes will live forever! I visit VA Beach often and am always reminded of Bill, Ammon and the recent loss of General Johnson of the "Showmen" and "Chairman Of The Board"!

[JamesPortland]

I wonder why this group didn't go further? They had a lot of soul. The were very under rated for the huge talent they had.

[Antlers68]

@JamesPortland

James they were always popular in the Southeast because of the popularity of "Beach Music" but I think nationally they were swamped by the British Invasion.

[HoosierDaDa]

Thank you Bud for posting this and also keeping up the memory of your DAD! I have always loved Bill Deal & Rhondels tunes! How is Ammon doing? Bill and Ammon were great together!

Jim from VA

[w9x7cv3vg6]

thanks for posting this cause theres so much garbage of other types of videos made up from the 45s which we collectors mostly all have anyway,we want the GROUPS doin it

[HoosierDaDa]

Always loved Bill & The Rhondels! I used to travel to VA Beach often and remember a bar called Fat Ammons near the beach and Poppy's (?) back in the early 80's.

[HoosierDaDa]

One of the BEST!

[HoosierDaDa]

LOVE IT!

[thelazycomic]

Bill Deal & The Rhondels were SOOOO under-rated. My aunt turned me onto them when I was a little kid, and I fell in love with their sound immediately. They should have been way bigger than they were.

[joetylerdale]

These guys could have brought the Apollo down!

[atp1962]

What was the year this was done anyone know?

[Desiree50]

you know i always thought this group was black.wasnt there a black member at one time? OH WELL. there still great!

[72DBRONCO]

@Desiree50 That's what I was thinking!

[SalShu]

Wow, this is a great video - love every one of their songs! Keeps a smile on my face and keeps me movin'!!!

[LuccaBB1]

The best medley on UT! I love Bill and the guys.

[atp1962]

Love all these guys voice, so good ! Real Beach music Bill Deal and Ammon Tharp ! Man these guys rock !!

[HomeTeamGames]

I had the privilage and honor to spend time with Bill when I was living in VB in 2001-3 and when I learned of his death it brought me to my knees... Bill Deal had the perfect name because he was and always be the "REAL DEAL" Bill we love you and miss you and thank you for the music you and Ammon and the boys gave us....

JB

[jctorontojctoronto]

visitied again tonight.

and glad I did.

jctoronto

[Joey5559]

I absolutley love it when artists perform there songs live , it shows the raw talent and lets you know just how good they are. Outstanding performance!

[citycarrier24]

It was 1971 I was stationed at Oceana near Virgina Beach and a great weekend always started out with Friday Night at Rogue's Gallery. There will never be another Bill Deal or Ammon Tharp!

[ajackson1970]

Good music never dies. Saw Bill at The Pines in Asheville, NC in the early 1970. Will never forget it. Rest in Peace Bill..

[eaglesgeo1]

need the words

[MaydayCavalier]

i'm 25 from virginia beach and i love this stuff! wish more people my age could appreciate this music. rest in peace, bill

[neilfrobinson]

In their prime they were on the best; they still put on a good show!

[coolpilot007]

just WOW """"

[eaglesgeo1]

Damn, they where GREAT!

[eaglesgeo1]

Who supplied the horns on, "May I"?

[USAlovesCanada]

Good music. Good times. OH if we could do it again !!

[rollerbaby42]

I love this group, I remember buying Ive Been Hurt on a 45.

[alexkerhead]

Incredible! I had never heard of this group before I saw this video. Awesome!

[nor888vast695]

These guys go wayyyy back. Not been introduced to "beach music" come on down this summer. Every weekend here beach music like this is heard. People from everywhere especially Canadians make the scene.

[willbaygirl]

to the person who asked the order onstage:

Bill Deal is on the keyboards on the left, (good looking guy with white hair); drummer is Ammon Tharp, Messick is on the right.

[woodruth3]

Good Lord! You're missed Bill!

[gracieg56]

what a great band with a great sound what a shame Bill Deal passed away he was truley a wonderful performer i still have the 45 of may I still love the sound today

[BroadcastJohn]

When I first heard this video back around 1970, I thought the performers were a black Motown group. I'm surprised to see they are caucasian.

I would love to see a video of the vintage Rhondells performing these songs. But so far, all I can find are audio tracks and videos with still pictures.

[EditorBPress]

The Motown voice is provided by Ammon Tharp, the drummer. Bill's voice is excellent as well, but Ammon's is the one that defines the group at its best. It's typical of both guys that neither cared about the little stuff. The name of the group didn't really matter, and neither did the predominant voice. What did matter? The music, of course. It was (and is) wonderful.

[qvocarlos]

I remembered this song today, now that I'm 57. Ammon's voice was powerful, but it was good to see that Bill's band members in harmony with him. That's what made them a success! RIP Bill.

[BroadcastJohn]

Back when I was younger, I remember hearing these songs but they weren't particular favorites.

Today, seeing them perform on this video, I suddenly realize just how great their music is. They are now on my favorites list.

Since I'm seeing them oerform for the first time, is it Billy Deal, Ammon Tharp and Wayne Kessinger from left to right? Were all three members of the Rhondells?

What year was this performance?

Thanks.

[eaglesgeo1]

I thought they were black.

[MarineHoo]

@BroadcastJohn ..Yes you have them listed right and I wanna say this was done in 1991

[BaduraJ]

Bill Deal is the real Deal and only Bill can make us feel like we are the deal like he is the real deal Bill is beaching it in the great beyond and I know that his music will live forever in the hearts of shagers and beach lovers worlds without number of end...thank you Bill for the memories and we will always love you...JBoy...ps saying hi to all my VB friends and to the Bill Deal and the Rondells that I was introduced to while I live in VB from 2000 to 2006 and I was there when the music died.

[jctorontojctoronto]

May I...68-69...Sears used their song to push their girls 'junior bazaar' clothing section.....

the group pumped out 'Junior Bazaar at Sears!' instead of the songs' words 'so in love with you'

memories.

anyone else from the Tidewater Virginia area remember?

jctoronto

[jctorontojctoronto]

Radio commercial,,,,May I,,Bill Deal,,,Sears bought song rights while i lived in Virginia 68-69,,,the band worked in their girls 'junior bazarr' clothing section to the song lyrics..

'Junior Bazaar at Sears' (substituted over 'so in love with you')

...anybody else remember?

jctoronto

[BigIronOnHipMan]

When Bill Deal played keyboard he would trade off the vocal lead with drummer Ammon Tharp and together they created a truly unique sound. The Rhondels were the vanilla ice cream on the pecan pie!

[neilfrobinson]

The Rhondels still perform. See them if you have a chance!

[p47br]

hi, these guys are great, love the songs, thanks for posting!!!!

[shag399]

Obviously,Bill Deal and the Rhondels are still loved by so many of their fans,they are tearing up "U Tube" with the great,unique sound that made them famous.Many thanks to Bill Deal Jr.and his family for allowing us to relive the happy memories, and perpetuate William's music for future generations.I'm sure his fans will enjoy the "Bill Deal Memorial Video"recently released on U Tube.

[BigIronOnHipMan]

Amen to that, shag! Thank goodness Jr. is pushin' his Dad's unforgettable music. And yes, there are countless fans out there that still yearn to hear his songs and they're gonna be around til the last Baby Boomer goes to the Harp Farm...

[shag399]

Grateful for this video that allows me to relive the happy years of my youth.William was not only a great musician and entertainer,but was an innovator that pioneered "voice response" with Ammon,and mixing of the instrumentals and vocals into his own unique melodious sound.This music made people worldwide happy,and want to dance.William never forgot his beloved Va. Beach and his fans.I first met him at the "Peppermint",and credit him to giving me my start in R&B.Grateful for your contributions!

[shag399]

Thanks to bubdea1 for allowing me to savor the entertainment and happiness of my youth. William was not only a great musician and entertainer,but also an innovator who worked many long hours to create his band's own unique sound.William pioneered the "voice response"with Ammon and "mixing"the instruments and vocals so well,that the melodious sound was mesmerizing,made you happy,and want to dance.William never forgot his Va.B. roots and fans,and helped me get started in R&B.Love You Forever

[44TARA]

Played at my senior prom 1970 (Thomas Edison, Alexandria, VA) held inside the Tysons Corner Shopping Mall. Incredible!  Bigger than life, riding the crest! Grateful to have this video available on YouTube.

[lovetheoldies]

I wish these guys had a bigger volume of work. They were my fav. growing up at the jersey shore(wildwood)

[Big57Bern]

Three great songs! Love em' When was this filmed, what event? These songs had limited air play in WI in the late 60's, but I still remember them fondly. Thanks.

[BigIronOnHipMan]

William Deal was a fine gentleman from the great state of Virginia. When I hear his music it's 1968 and I'm 18 again. I hesitate to turn the jams off `cause I then have to come back to NOW...His music almost had a DOO-WOP feel and sentiment to it ~ GREAT POST bubdeal1

[USAlovesCanada]

Fantastic fun music ... I hate to go back to "now" also ....

[cchtnh]

enjoyed these guys for many years Raleigh, Greenville, Va Beach and Charlotte.

[Blaze8439]

Remember The Fat Ammon's Band? Here is a memory I bet will clear some cobwebs. How the the Top Hat Club next to the Seaside Amusement Park. Some think that this is where Beach Music was born, but the Pappermint gets the credit. Miss those days, don't you?

[neilfrobinson]

Bill Deal was an awesome entertainer; he will be missed.

Thank you for posting these clips.

[speedy45rpm]

Bill Deal and the Rhondels brought an awful lot of happiness with their music, in large part swimming against the tide of their day.  Thank you so much for posting this.

[rostifer28]

haha this is so weird. my dad is in this band and helped write a lot of these songs! it's funny seeing all of these people and hearing all of these songs! Heard them all since I was little. It is a good band though! Come see them live!

[eaglesgeo1]

What are the words to MAY I?

[Fritzoid64]

This takes me back to the Peppermint Beach Club on cold winter nights, before shipping out for Nam.

Who WAS that blonde always doing the skate while Ammon sang?!?

[biloxijohn]

The Peppermint Beach Club...

Summer days, girls in bikinis and dancing anytime of the day. WOW!

[deleriousclock]

Didn't realize that Ammon Tharpe did most of the singing. Always that is was all Bill Deal, but its a combination of the two. RIP Bill Deal.

[CAHokie]

Same here. I thought it was Bill Deal singing the lead. Tharpe is the characteristic voice I associated with the group. Sorry to hear that Bill Deal passed away.