Tommy James & The Shondells
Tommy James and The Shondells managed to weather the many
changes in the pop music scene during the mid to late 60's and
come out on top with a string of fourteen Top 40 hits. They were
truly a pop band for all seasons: Whether the people wanted
bubblegum, soul or psychedelia, this was a group that could do it
all.
Tommy James formed the first version of The Shondells in 1960
when he was only 12 years old. In 1963 they recorded a version of
the Barry/Greenwich song Hanky Panky for a small Michigan
label.
Two years later, a Pittsburgh DJ picked up on the song and made
it into a regional hit. James and the original Shondells parted
ways because the band members didn't want to relocate from Indiana
and James formed a new Shondells by taking on a group called The
Raconteurs.
In 1966 they signed to the Roulette label who re-issued Hanky
Panky which became a number one million seller. Aren't you
glad you stayed in Indiana now, fellas?
James teamed up with the writer/producer team of Bobbie Gentry
and Richie Cordell to settle into the business of making hit
records in late 1966. They produced one hit after another in 1967,
starting with I Think We're Alone Now and continuing with Mirage
(created by
playing I Think We're Alone Now, backwards) and Getting
Together. They were all snappy, fast-paced bubblegum tunes
that overflowed with cool organ riffs and propulsive drumming.
Tommy James and the Shondells developed a tougher sound in 1968
with the release of Mony Mony. This soul-infused tune
forsook the poppy gloss of past hits for an in-your-face sound
with a focus on big, pounding drum licks that made listeners want
to dance. It zipped to Number 3 on the charts.
The Shondells turned their attention to psychedelia in 1969
with Crimson and Clover. The moody-yet-catchy tune, full of
inventive touches like wah-wah guitar and phased vocals, shot to
Number 1 and became the group's biggest US hit.
The Shondells continued to mine the psychedelic vein with the
complex Sweet Cherry Wine, which went to Number 7. The
laid-back follow-up, Crystal Blue Persuasion, featured some
memorable flamenco-style guitar and was a Number 2 hit.
In 1969, Tommy James and The Shondells turned down an offer to
perform at the original Woodstock Festival. Their agent described
the event as "a stupid gig on a pig farm in upstate New
York".
Tommy James split up with The Shondells in 1970 to pursue a
moderately successful solo career, and the group changed its name
to Hog Heaven for continued recordings and tours.
James had a Number 4 hit that year with the soulful Draggin'
The Line and continued to record throughout the 70s, sometimes
with former members of The Shondells.
Tommy James is still touring and recording today. Other artists
have helped him keep his legacy of success alive by covering his
past hits. Joan Jett recorded a Number 7 hit cover of Crimson
and Clover in 1982. Tiffany went to Number 1 in 1987 with her
version of I Think We're Alone Now. Ironically, her
replacement in the Number 1 slot came when Billy Idol did his own
cover of a Shondells classic, Mony Mony.
Successes like these assure that the magical music of Tommy
James and the Shondells will never be forgotten.
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