Done a bit of research in the past on the Norfolk music scene and knew that Bill Deal & the Rhondels figured large locally BUT never realised that there was a thriving Beach Music Scene just down the road from Norfolk that BD&Rhondels were almost a permanent fixture on as well.
Seems that Virginia Beach, back in the 60's / 70's was doing its best to upstage Myrte Beach (& the like) down in South Carolina.
This article, that deals with the clubs & live acts back then, is quite old but I hadn't seen it before (a link was posted up on Southernsoul) ..............
Seems that acts such as Bill Deal & the Rhondels, the Drifters and local outfit the Showmen were the live acts that made the most impact in the Virginia Beach clubs back then.
I wonder if the likes of Barbara Stant, the other Shiptown artists or Charlie McClendon & the Magnificents (who Norman Johnson of the Showmen did some work with) also played the Virginia Beach clubs on a regular basis. Anyone know ?
Done a bit of research in the past on the Norfolk music scene and knew that Bill Deal & the Rhondels figured large locally BUT never realised that there was a thriving Beach Music Scene just down the road from Norfolk that BD&Rhondels were almost a permanent fixture on as well.
Seems that Virginia Beach, back in the 60's / 70's was doing its best to upstage Myrte Beach (& the like) down in South Carolina.
This article, that deals with the clubs & live acts back then, is quite old but I hadn't seen it before (a link was posted up on Southernsoul) ..............
https://www.virginialiving.com/virginiana/history/rogues-gallery-of-clubs/
Seems that acts such as Bill Deal & the Rhondels, the Drifters and local outfit the Showmen were the live acts that made the most impact in the Virginia Beach clubs back then.
I wonder if the likes of Barbara Stant, the other Shiptown artists or Charlie McClendon & the Magnificents (who Norman Johnson of the Showmen did some work with) also played the Virginia Beach clubs on a regular basis. Anyone know ?