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 ?

 

Can answer my own question from above ................

........ I read through pieces on Charlie McClendon & the Magnificents that I have since posted up on a thread under that title ........

... on one of them it states that Charlie & the group did play gigs at clubs such as the Peppermint Lounge and the Top Hat.