Harry Deal and the Galaxies
Encyclopedia
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 1960s in dance clubs of South Carolina beach towns such as Myrtle Beach.
, a style of rock and roll that started in the late 1950s in the dance clubs in 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. Harry Deal & the Galaxies have performed at least once a month in this facility since 1988. On in to the 2000's the band has never slowed down, and 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 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.
Albums/LPs
Rock and roll
Rock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily from a combination of African American blues, country, jazz, and gospel music...
band
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
formed in Taylorsville
Taylorsville, North Carolina
Taylorsville is a town in Alexander County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,799 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Alexander County.Taylorsville is part of the Hickory–Lenoir–Morganton Metropolitan Statistical Area....
, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, in 1959. They are most famous for playing a style of music known as beach music
Beach music
Beach music, also known as Carolina beach music, is a regional genre which developed from various musical styles of the forties, fifties and sixties. These styles ranged from big band swing instrumentals to the more raucous sounds of blues/jump blues, jazz, doo-wop, boogie, rhythm and blues,...
, which began in the 1960s 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 40 years later. The band is synonymous with the term beach musicBeach music
Beach music, also known as Carolina beach music, is a regional genre which developed from various musical styles of the forties, fifties and sixties. These styles ranged from big band swing instrumentals to the more raucous sounds of blues/jump blues, jazz, doo-wop, boogie, rhythm and blues,...
, a style of rock and roll that started in the late 1950s in the dance clubs in 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
Carolina shag
Carolina Shag is a six-count partner dance done mostly to moderate tempo music . During the dance the upper body and hips hardly move as the legs do convoluted kicks and fancy footwork. The lead is the center of attention, and the follow's steps either mirror the lead's or mark time while the lead...
. They first made their claim as the "Kings of Beach Music" during the 1960s at the Myrtle Beach Pavilion
Myrtle Beach Pavilion
The Myrtle Beach Pavilion was an amusement park located on the corner of 9th Avenue and Ocean Boulevard in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Considered by many as the "heart" of Myrtle Beach, the Pavilion sat one block away from the beach itself in a pedestrian-populated area, surrounded by similar...
, 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. Harry Deal & the Galaxies have performed at least once a month in this facility since 1988. On in to the 2000's the band has never slowed down, and 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 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.
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
External links
- Official website
- Harry Deal & the Galaxies Unofficial Fan Site
- 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"