The Sensational Epics during their heyday, in the early 1960s.
BLYTHEWOOD – Jim Chappell of Blythewood, and one of the original members of the Sensational Epics beach band, was recently named, along with his fellow band members, to the Beach Music Hall of Fame in Myrtle Beach. One of the hottest beach bands in the ‘60s , The Epics frequently shared the stage with such top recording artists as Gladys Knight and the Pips, the Tams, the Drifters, the Platters and the Impressions. During their heyday, the Epics recorded national hits “I’ve Been Hurt” and “Be Young, Be Foolish Be Happy.”
The band got its first big break while still in high school, Chappell recalled.
“Columbia had won the All-American City Award and was organizing an extravaganza at the Township Auditorium. We were invited and got great reviews. And the rest is history,” he said, shaking his head, still amazed.
After their college days, the band members’ lives took separate paths and they parted ways only to reunite in 2000 for a benefit in Five Points. The band was such a big hit all over again that they began taking bookings, Chappell said. Today, the Epics continue to have a solid schedule of venues.
“But tearing down a band stage at 1:30 in the morning doesn’t appeal to me anymore,” Chappell said with a laugh. But he said he supports the band and occasionally joins them for benefit performances. Chappell, who owns his own real estate business in Blythewood, still lives on family land in the Cedar Creek area.
The Epics will be inducted into the Beach Music Hall of Fame along with The Coasters and several other popular beach bands of the ‘60s on Nov. 28 at the Alabama Theater in Myrtle Beach.
