THE LEGENDARY KING OF SHAG

By Howie Thompson

Author Howie Thompson breaks through the legend status to get to the man in the first and only authorized biography of FAT HAROLD: THE LEGENDARY KING OF SHAG.

Beginning 1955 until the present, Fat Harold earns the spot of being the most influential man in all of Grand Strand. He owns and ran Fat Harold’s Beach Club, now a historic landmark and a club which helped ignite and fuel the beach music scene. Many attribute the revival of shag and beach music to Fat Harold but his legendary image is second only to his generosity. The glitz and glamour pales in comparison to what he has done for North Myrtle Beach, Ocean Drive and for the whole shag-dancing world.

Many people remember Fat Harold as a man who “always made it happen”. His story is not just about finding success and basking in glory after all the hard work; it is about a man who had a heart for everyone and the guts to make great things happen.

Harold Bessent created a way of life like no other. Preserved that way of life and gave the people of North Myrtle Beach, a place to enjoy this life style and be proud of what they lovingly call "Shag Dancing." In addition he has raised over $2,000,000 for Camp Kemo, a camp in Columbia, SC. that gives children with cancer a chance to have fun and enjoy life. The book not only outlines this man's outstanding history, but brings to light the love and respect that prominent musicians, his employees, political pundents and friends have for him. Together with several partners, Harold built and rebuilt six different beach clubs and all the while preserved Shag Dancing for his generation and many more to come.