Bill Deal and the Rhondels


Bill Deal & the Rhondels were an American pop band, formed in 1959 in Portsmouth, Virginia, crossing blue-eyed soul and beach music.

History

They had three hit singles in 1969, "May I", "I've Been Hurt", "What Kind of Fool (Do You Think I Am)". Their single "Swingin' Tight" reached in December 1969. "Nothing Succeeds Like Success" reached on the charts in the spring of 1970. The band disbanded in 1975, but reformed and still carries on the tradition even after the passing of Bill Deal.

Freddy Owens murder

Ernest Frederick "Freddy" Owens joined the band after 1970 and served as lead vocalist as well as playing sax and bass. On March 4, 1979, he was robbed and shot dead by Jeremiah Carr at a Holiday Inn motel in Richmond, Virginia, where the band had a show earlier that evening. He had attempted to stop Carr from escaping after Carr raped his wife. Two shots wounded another band member in the room. While Bill Deal kept going on with the Rhondels for another four years, he never really got over this incident and quit the music business in 1983.

Members

  • Bill Deal - vocals, organ, electric piano, bass pedals
  • Ammon Tharp - vocals, drums
  • George Bell - saxophone
  • Ronnie Hallman - trumpet
  • Jackie Shelton - bass
  • Joel Smith - guitar
  • Bill Weaver - saxophone
  • J.T. Anderson - guitar
  • Jimmy Alsbrook - drums
  • David Williams - trumpet
  • Ken Dawson - trumpet
  • Don Quisenberry - bass
  • Rollie Ligart - trumpet
  • Mike Kerwin - guitar, trumpet
  • Tom Pittman - saxophone
  • Ronny Rosenbaum - trombone
  • Bob Fisher - saxophone, guitar
  • Jeff Pollard - trumpet
  • Gary Hardy - trumpet
  • Freddy Owens - saxophone, vocals
  • Alan Porter - bass
  • Steve Ambrose - saxophone, flute, vocals
  • Tom Cole - drums
  • Mark Maynard - Trombone
  • Benny Bialy - Bass
  • Randy Pope - Guitar
  • And many others

Discography

Albums

Bill Deal and the Rhondels, Vintage Rock, Heritage HTS 35,003, 1969

The material for this album was recorded in New York City between July 25, 1968 and March 10, 1969, with the most tracks recorded at Bell Sound Studios on March 10, 1969. The "Swingin' Tight" track, first recorded March 10, 1969, is distinct from the similarly-named track on the second album, below and is a slow version of the song.
Side 1
  1. I've Been Hurt
  2. Touch Me
  3. Hooked On A Feeling
  4. I've Got To Be Me
  5. Nothing Succeeds Like Success
  6. Soulful Strut
    Side 2
  7. Hey Bulldog
  8. Swingin' Tight
  9. May I
  10. I'm Gonna Make You Love Me
  11. Are You Ready For This
  12. I've Got My Needs
  13. Change My Mind

The Best of Bill Deal & The Rhondels, Heritage HTS 35,006, 1970

The material for this album, which substantially overlaps the Vintage Rock album, was recorded in New York City between July 25, 1968 and October 30, 1969, with the most tracks recorded at Bell Sound Studios on March 10, 1969. The "Swingin' Tight" track, recorded on October 3, 1969, is distinct from the similarly named track on the first album, above and is a faster single edit version.
The album debuted on Billboard magazine's Top LP's chart in the issue dated April 11, 1970, peaking at No. 185 during a two-week run on the chart.
Side 1
  1. What Kind of Fool Do You Think I Am
  2. Touch Me
  3. Harlem Shuffle
  4. May I
  5. I've Got My Needs
  6. Ain't Too Proud to Beg
    Side 2
  7. Nothing Succeeds Like Success
  8. Swingin' Tight
  9. Hey Bulldog
  10. Are You Ready For This
  11. Tuck's Theme
  12. I've Been Hurt

Singles

  • "May I" b/w "Day By Day My Love Grows Stronger"
  • "I've Been Hurt" b/w "I've Got My Needs"
  • "What Kind of Fool Do You Think I Am" b/w "Swingin' Tight"
  • "Swingin' Tight" b/w "Tuck's Theme"
  • "Hey Bulldog" b/w "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me"
  • "Nothing Succeeds Like Success"
  • "It's Too Late"