“Fat Harold” has been a fixture in Ocean Drive, now North Myrtle Beach, for almost fifty years. As he says, “You haven’t been to the beach till you see me — Fat Harold.” that is true for devotees of the Shag and Beach Music. Few people become an icon. “Fat Harold” with his black Ben Franklin glasses frames is recognizable by nearly everyone. He has relocated from time to time in the past, but he has consistently provided shaggers a place to enjoy their passion. He is the man that another legend of Ocean Drive, renowned artist Becky Stowe, said made North Myrtle Beach the “shaggin’ capital of the world.”   

     After serving his country as a US Marine, Harold Bessent returned to the beach. He opened his first dance club in OD in 1962. He served cold beer while the jukebox played and young shaggers plied their art in the original Spanish Galleon. It was located just north of the horseshoe on the ocean. The Ocean Drive Beach and Golf Resort sits on the spot today. 

     He moved to Harold’s Across the Street. It became known as “HATS.” “HATS” was in the building which originally housed The Pad. It was beside The Pad. 

     Harold next moved back to the oceanfront. He occupied the former Fat Jack’s Beach Club which he renamed Fat Harold’s. When that property sold in 1988, it was time for Harold Bessent to move again. 

     He went back across the street, locating next door to the previous HATS. HATS was back; this time in The Pad. He named it Fat Harold’s at the Pad. 

     In 1992, thirty years after he had opened The Spanish Galleon, Fat Harold gave up his nomadic business ways. He opened the world famous Fat Harold’s Beach Club in the newly renovated building which had been home to the Rock Option. Thousands of revelers have passed through “Harold’s” or “Fat Harold’s”, the names by which it is commonly known, doors since. The notoriety of Fat Harold and his beach club led to “Fat Harold’s” being featured as a top destination by Samantha Brown on the Travel Channel. 

     Through all the relocating, Harold Bessent has remained a constant. He has always had a keen business mind and a love of Beach Music and the Shag. He is often seen sitting on his personal perch, a bar stood at the southwest end of the bar at “Fat Harold’s,” dispensing humor and folk lore. He is eager to greet young and old, especially young. He is passionate about supporting Camp Kemo,Children's Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders of Palmetto Health Richland Memorial Hospital, Columbia, South Carolina. 

      Fat Harold understands the responsibilities that come with being an icon. He handles it with humility and aplomb in his just-a-boy-from-down-street style.

By Bob Boan, 15 July 2008