Bill Deal at 59 (family)

Beach music star Deal dies at 59

AP
Published December 10, 2003

NORFOLK, Va. -- Bill Deal, a beach music maker to Baby Boomers, has died at
age 59, his family confirmed Wednesday.

Deal and the group called the Rhondels had several hits in 1969 and 1970,
including Maurice Williams' "May I" and renditions of the Tams' "I've Been
Hurt" and "What Kind of Fool (Do You Think I Am)."

Deal, a Portsmouth native, and the Rhondels performed at festivals, colleges
and concerts across the country.

With keyboardist Deal and drummer Ammon Tharp trading lead vocals, the
Virginia Beach-based Rhondels produced a string of Top 40 hits in the late
'60s.

"May I" was our first big hit," Deal said in a 1999 interview with The
Virginian-Pilot of Norfolk.

International success followed, as "I've Been Hurt" soared to No. 1 in
Argentina, Mexico, Spain, Germany and Brazil.

But in 1975, the hits long dried up, Deal and Tharp split up after playing
together for 15 years.

Ray Arthur

That's somewhat of a bummer, Mr. Arthur!!

I always thought his 1972 version of "It's too late" was underrated, baby!!!

Deal was an audacious artist in my opinion!!!

Dennis C from Tennessee

There have been posts to the 1960s group claiming that the person who
died was actually the leader of the current Rhondels, and not the actual
Bill Deal. At this point, I'm not in a position to say who is correct
here, but I thought I should mention it so anyone interested can read
the thread for themselves.

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2 23rd September 09:57 prowan9262 External User Posts: 1	Bill Deal at 59 That's somewhat of a bummer, Mr. Arthur!! I always thought his 1972 version of "It's too late" was underrated, baby!!! Deal was an audacious artist in my opinion!!! Dennis C from Tennessee

3 23rd September 09:57 brett a. pasternack External User Posts: 1	Bill Deal at 59 There have been posts to the 1960s group claiming that the person who died was actually the leader of the current Rhondels, and not the actual Bill Deal. At this point, I'm not in a position to say who is correct here, but I thought I should mention it so anyone interested can read the thread for themselves.