Harry Deal and the Galaxies is a rock and roll band formed in Taylorsville, North Carolina, United States, in 1959. They are most famous for playing a style of music known as beach music, which began in the 1940s in dance clubs of South Carolina beach towns such as Myrtle Beach.
Career The group was formed by brothers Harry and Jimmy Deal in the small southern town of Taylorsville, NC, where the band continues to perform over 50 years later. The band is synonymous with the term beach music, a style of rock and roll that started in the late 1940s in the dance clubs in the vicinity of Myrtle Beach on the coast of South Carolina. Their music is also associated with a type of dance known as "shagging," or the Carolina Shag. They first made their claim as the "Kings of Beach Music" during the 1960s at the Myrtle Beach Pavilion, which was at one time one of the most popular entertainment spots in the southeastern U.S.A.
After beach music hit its peak in the early 1970s, Harry and the band continued to perform and tour, adapting their music to the sounds of the times, while never leaving their beach roots far behind. Over the years, the Galaxies have expanded their repertoire to include modern rock and country music, but they continue to be known as pioneers of the beach music style.
The band forged on through the 1980s and 1990s, during which time Harry opened a performance center in his home town of Taylorsville. On in to the 2000s they still perform throughout the Carolinas with their latest lineup of "Galaxies."
Several members of the Deal family have played in the band through the years, including wife Geneva, son David and daughter Donna. Additionally, Harry and his brother Jimmy Deal built Galaxie III Recording Studio in the 1960s, where the band has recorded most of its music.
Death Harry Deal died on December 16, 2017, in Hickory, North Carolina.
Discography
Singles/45s
Salty Dog Smacky Mouth b/w Sad But True I Still Love You b/w You're Always on My Mind In Between The Lines b/w 50's Medley Miss Grace b/w Stay Fonky, Fonky b/w Everything is Everything 60 Minute Man Hey Baby b/w Comin on Slow This Love I Have b/w Walrus Bad Girl Don't You Just Know It Warm, Sunny Sunday I'm Up for Gettin' Down Tonight b/w The Little Girl Next Door She's Got it All together Summer Time Means Beach b/w Comin' On Slow
Albums/LPs
At the Beach Vintage United I Feel Good All Over Harry Deal & the Galaxies "A New Day" Eclipse ECS 1002
References
External links Official website Harry Deal & the Galaxies section in "Online Guide to Singles" Reference in History of Beach Music Comprehensive band history from "The Heeey Baby Days Of Beach Music" by Greg Haynes Discography on CarolinaSoul.org History of Harry Deal & the Galaxies on Funky16corners Reference in History of Beach Music article Reference in "Shagging in the Carolinas" book on beach music by 'Fessa John Hook Reference in Beach Music article on wral.com Harry Deal & the Galaxies reference on Beach Music CD collection Record review of the Galaxies' 1960s hit "Fonky, Fonky"