IVOX RADIO Presents ● The Story & Music of Tommy James and the Shondells

Tommy James and the Shondells in 1967. Left to right: Ron Rosman, Peter Lucia, Tommy James, Mike Vale and Eddie Gray / Roulette Records - Billboard, page 34, 19 August 1967

If you are not familiar with Tommy James and the Shondells then you are a part of a vast majority of people that are unaware as well. But one fact remains, you and the aforementioned majority are familiar with their hits. The one thing that Tommy James and the Shondells never received in the hey-day is respect and recognition.

If they did not influence you, that’s okay. The musicians that were inspired by this multi-hit wonders channeled Tommy James and the Shondells’ musical energy into their own and funneled it into you. From Musicians, Joan Jett, Tiffany, and Billy Idol to countless movies and commercials; Tommy James and the Shondells were bubble gum rock icons.

Thomas Jackson also known as Tommy James was born in of 1947, in Dayton Ohio. James was introduced to music at a very young age. His grandfather gave him a ukulele at the age of three. When he was nine, James leveled up and started playing guitar. Within a few years, he would transfer to electric guitar. By now, in 1960, James and his family were living in Niles, MI.

At the age of 13, James formed the first group of Shondells consisting of Larry Coverdale on guitar, Craig Villeneuve on piano, and Jim Payne on drums. The original line-up began by playing dances and parties until they became good enough to play at local venues while making decent money. Northway Sound Records happened to noticed James’ sound, recorded a single entitled “Judy”. Unfortunately, the single did not do well outside their locale.

In 1963, Snap records recorded a “four side”. Two of the four songs were issued but disappeared on their first Snap single, but the label release of song “Hanky Panky” was a hit in the area of Niles. A song by Barry/Ellie Greenwich that James later adopted into his stage performance, was an enormous hit in the surrounding area of their home town, but did not reach further. James and company abandoned all hopes of having a musical career, deciding it’d be part time went and found themselves day jobs.

James took a job at a record store, condensing his music to only night time gigs. Within two years, the original Shondells line-up had dwindled due to the band being drafted or moving on in life. This was not a big difference until one day, James received a call from a promoter in Pittsburgh, PA.

James was puzzled being him and the Shondells had not ever played Pittsburgh, let alone was aware if Snap records had affiliates there. The single “Hanky Panky” was found in a used-record bin, and was being played at local dances, and was well received by the youth of Pittsburgh. It is estimated that as many as 80,000 bootleg copies were sold in Pittsburgh alone.

Tommy James and the Shondells / Crimson and Clover station album cover / Roulette Records - released December 1968

Realizing the original Shondells were no longer, James was forced to recruit a new line-up. A local group named the Raconteurs out of Pittsburgh became the new Shondells. Overnight this line-up of Shondells went to playing for audiences in the thousands, and soon to follow Columbia Records and RCA-Victor were courting James and his Shondells. It was Morris Levy as well as Roulette Records whom won the bid and signing the group. “Hanky Panky” went on to become a national hit.

For the next three and a half years, Tommy James and the Shondells took everything to keep up with their newfound popularity. “Say I am” their second single with Roulette and the first song created by the new line-up peaked at number 21. A third single, “It’s Only Love” reached number 31, but their fourth single “I Think We’re Alone Now” in 1967 as well as their fifth “Mirage” excelled to the top ten slot. These recordings are accredited to Rich Cordell, songwriter and producer, became a creative source for the groups history.

At the high-light of 60’s Rock N’ Roll with acts like Rolling Stones, The Doors, and Creedence Clearwater Revival. Tommy James and the Shondells were making upbeat, pop oriented music, a square peg fitting into a round hole. Rock N’ Roll’s message at this time what more serious with a newly artistic flair. Despite the genre flux, the group kept creating new, sucessful singles. Either way, Tommy James and the Shondells were living their best life playing concerts, making personal appearances, and all the while experimenting and evolving their sound.

James, in the midst of the creative process, the Vietnam war and the Psycodelic boom. “Mony Mony” rose to number three on the charts. “Mony Mony” ran counter to the seriousness of rock artists at the time was a perfect party and dance song. In 1968 “Crimson and Clover” was an homage to the current style, using distortion techniques that climbed to number one and selling five million copies. “Crimson and Clover” is the highest selling single in the band’s history.

In 1969, Tommy James and the Shondells were one of the top ten pop/rock performers in the world at the time. Two other songs off the Crimson and Clover album were “Sweet Cherry Wine” and “Crystal Blue Persuasion” were both major hits. The next album “Cellophane Symphony" was put on hold for four months due to the overwhelming popularity of Crimson and Clover.

“Cellophane Symphony” was a result of the band's experimentation with their sound. A Moog heavy song with influence from known band Pink Floyd. This song proved James and the Shondells progression with music, a complete surprise to many, also displayed their ability to adapt to any Rock N’ Roll genre. The only setback the group faced during this time was declining an invitation to perform at Woodstock which would’ve bolstered their popularity and credibility with the counterculture audience.

Tommy James and the Shondells came to a close in 1970 and not for a lack of popularity, but the desire to take a break. James became involved in writing and producing other groups such as “Alive and Kicking” who’s single “Tighter and Tighter” reached number seven. The Shondells continued to work under the name “Hog Heaven”, cutting an album with Roulette Records, but withdrew back to Pittsburgh where they originated.

James toyed with different sounds on his own recordings such as Country and Christian music. He once more charted the top ten in 1971 with “Draggin the Line”.  Throughout the 70’s, James recorded with Fantasy and later Millennium records. He resurfaced during the 80’ after the release of a greatest hits album “Three Times in Love”. He performed the old hits as well as new songs, reestablishing himself as a crowd pleasing act. In 1998 James and Cordell released a live hits album.

Tommy James & The Shondells - Anthology station album cover. Released in 1983 on Azzurra

In 2011 the song “I’m Alive” became a top 20 hit in the Netherlands. Performed by UK singer Don Fardon was used in a Vodafone commercial. The infamous television show, “Breaking Bad” used the song “Crystal Blue Persuasion” and “Gliding Over All"

IVOX RADIO Presents ● “The Story & Music of Tommy James and the Shondells” hosted by Louie Comella, on KWXY Music Radio 92.3FM ● 1340AM ● streaming at kwxy.com and ivoxradio.com