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Had Tommy James done nothing else in his 60+year career but “Mony Mony,” “Crimson & Clover,” “I Think We’re Alone Now,” “Hanky Panky,” “Draggin’ The Line” and “Crystal Blue Persuasion,” he still would be an influence on multiple generations. Those six songs have been used in more than 40 feature films and more than 300 artists have recorded his songs. Artists like Prince, Billy Idol, Dolly Parton, The Boston Pops, R.E.M., Joan Jett, Tom Jones and Cher.
The Early Years: Tommy James' Musical Beginnings
James’ journey began in Niles, Michigan, where he formed his first band, The Echoes, at the age of 12. His early passion for music and his distinctive voice set the stage for his future success. The Shondells, initially formed as The Tornadoes, evolved with James’ vision and they burst onto the scene in the mid-60s.
Breaking Out: The Success of 'Hanky Panky'
Tommy James and the Shondells quickly gained fame with their breakout single “Hanky Panky,” which topped the charts in 1966 after a DJ in Pittsburgh played a forgotten B-side, sparking a regional demand that spread nationwideIn 1968, Tommy became one of the first artists to experiment with music videos, creating a mini-film around “Mony Mony” for theatrical showings, thirteen years before MTV hit the airwaves.
Chart-Topping Hits: 'Mony Mony' and Beyond
Pioneering Sounds: The Psychedelia of 'Crimson and Clover'
After spending three months on the road that year with Vice President Hubert Humphrey — the first time that a rock artist had been asked to campaign for a presidential candidate — TJ took over the creative reins of his career by writing and producing the groundbreaking “Crimson and Clover single and album. (Humphrey wrote the C&C album liner notes, another first.)
Shaping a New Sound
Tommy followed up the Crimson and Clover album with Cellophane Symphony , which featured the newly developed Moog Synthesizer and included yet another Top Ten single, ‘Sweet Cherry Wine.’ Tommy was on a roll. In 1969 the total sales of his four 1969 hits – topped those of the Beatles!
Tommy also wrote and produced the million selling single ‘Tighter and Tighter’ for the groupe Alive and Kickin. Over the next four years he scored an additional 12 chart singles.
Pop Culture Classics
Tommy’s songs had become pop culture classics and were being covered by everyone from punk rockers to country icons. In 1987, Tiffany and Billy Idol’s versions of ‘I Think We’re Alone Now’ and ‘Mony Mony’ respectively battled for the top spot on the pop charts for a solid month, and each eventually went to #1. It was the first time in music history that two cover versions of songs by the same artist hit #1 back-to-back.
Challenges and Triumphs: Navigating the Music Industry
As a solo artist, Tommy James continued to produce hits like “Draggin’ the Line,” and his status as a rock legend continued. His autobiography, “Me, the Mob, and the Music,” revealed his tumultuous relationship with Morris Levy of Roulette Records, adding depth to his legacy and offering a glimpse into the darker side of the music industry.
The book became a bestseller and was chosen by Rolling Stone magazine as one of the 25 greatest rock ‘n’ roll memoirs of all time. The tale of Tommy’s career and his tumultuous relationship with the “Godfather” of the music industry, Morris Levy, is currently on its way to becoming a major motion picture.
Tommy James today
To date, Tommy has sold more than 100 million albums worldwide and has received 5 BMI ‘Million Air’ awards in recognition of 22 million brooadcast spins of his songs. He has his own show on Sirius XM radio https://www.siriusxm.com/channels/60s-gold and still tours, delighting audiences everywhere. Please join us this week as Tommy James shares his amazing story.
