THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, June 26, 1994 TAG: 9406230157
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 14 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: John Harper
DATELINE: 940626 LENGTH: Medium
``He said he was a good drummer and would like to join the group,'' said Deal in a recent telephone interview from his home in Virginia Beach, Va.
{REST} Thirty years later, Deal and Tharp are still playing and singing and enjoying life.
Deal and Tharp formed Bill Deal and the Rhondells in the mid '60s. The band, with Deal on keyboards and lead vocals and Tharp on drums and vocals, featured a four-man horn section.
Deal was a big fan of the Motown sound. He liked the thick bass line, heavy rhythm and call-and-shout style singing that powered the Motown records.
Both Deal and Tharp listened to the rhythm and blues of Hank Ballard, Clyde McPhatter and Frankie Lymon while growing up. At about the same time, brass made its presense known in rock 'n' roll. Groups such as Chicago, Blood, Sweat and Tears and The Buckinghams featured horn heavy recordings. Bill Deal and The Rhondells' fusion of rock and rhythm and blues was just right for the musically alive '60s.
From 1964-1969, The Rhondells traveled the club circuit up and down the East Coast. In l969, the recording career began. The band signed with Heritage Records. ``May I,'' produced by Deal, put the group on radio. The record went top-l0 and was followed by four more hits: ``I've Been Hurt,'' ``What Kind of Fool,'' ``Nothing Succeeds Like Success'' and ``Swinging Tight.''
Deal says the records were hits in several countries. ``We hit No. 1 in Mexico.''
Bill Deal and The Rhondells prospered into the '70s. By the mid '70s, Deal and Tharp grew restless.
Both men were married and had children. Deal wanted to get off the road; Tharp wanted to play. Both men got their wish.
Deal retired to start the legendary ``Rogues'' nightclub in Virginia Beach. Tharpe formed ``The Fat Ammon's Band.''
By the mid '80s, Deal was out of Rogues and selling commercial real estate.
Tharp mostly managed his Fat Ammon's band, appearing on stage only occasionally.
In March of l987, Tharp and Deal were asked to make a one-time only appearance at ``Fat Rogers'' in Virginia Beach.
When Deal and Tharp arrived, ``There were more people outside than inside; the place was packed,'' says Deal. The response led to renewing the partnership on a full-time basis.
Deal and Tharp play two or three nights a week. They will play on The Outer Banks on Wednesday, at the Ramada Inn in Kill Devil Hills.
Deal promises that he and Tharp are true to the classics of the Rhondells' heyday. He is quick to point out; however, that although 70 percent of the show is ``Big Chill'' type stuff, the other 30 percent is current.
``We play some Phil Collins, Rod Stewart, but I can guarantee you can shag to it,'' says Deal.
Bill Deal and Ammon Tharp's appearance at the Ramada Inn is the second in a series of beach music concerts.
Ramada food and beverage director Sally Johnson also has lined up the Platters, The Drifters and The Embers to play this summer.
by CNB