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Tommy James & The Shondells
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(1959 – 1963, 1966 – 1970, 2007 – present)
Tommy James and the Shondells is an American rock and roll group that was most active in 1960s. They had two number one singles in the U.S. — “Hanky Panky” (1966) and “Crimson and Clover” (1968) — but also released five other top ten hits, including “I Think We’re Alone Now,” “Mony Mony,” and “Crystal Blue Persuasion”.
The band initially formed in 1959 as Tom and the Tornadoes, with the then only 12-year-old James as lead singer. In 1963, he renamed the band The Shondells, after one of James’s idols, guitarist Troy Shondell. Later in 1963, they recorded the Jeff Barry/Ellie Greenwich song “Hanky Panky” (originally by The Raindrops), which failed to chart. The Shondells disbanded thereafter, until James reformed them early 1966 with Gray, Vale, Rosman and Lucia. Their first single was a re-recording of “Hanky Panky”, which surprisingly became a national number one hit in June 1966. At first, Tommy James and his Shondells played straightforward rock and roll (as their first hit proves) but soon became involved in the budding bubblegum music movement. One of their main songwriters these days was Ritchie Cordell who gave them the hits “I Think We’re Alone Now” (later a hit for Tiffany) and “Mirage” in 1967.
From 1968, the group members tried themselves as songwriters, with James and Lucia penning the psychedelic classic “Crimson and Clover”. The song was also completely recorded and mixed by the two of them, with James taking over vocal duties and playing all instruments, and features the then remarkable use of electronic gadgetry such as vocoders and phasers.
The band initially formed in 1959 as Tom and the Tornadoes, with the then only 12-year-old James as lead singer. In 1963, he renamed the band The Shondells, after one of James’s idols, guitarist Troy Shondell. Later in 1963, they recorded the Jeff Barry/Ellie Greenwich song “Hanky Panky” (originally by The Raindrops), which failed to chart. The Shondells disbanded thereafter, until James reformed them early 1966 with Gray, Vale, Rosman and Lucia. Their first single was a re-recording of “Hanky Panky”, which surprisingly became a national number one hit in June 1966. At first, Tommy James and his Shondells played straightforward rock and roll (as their first hit proves) but soon became involved in the budding bubblegum music movement. One of their main songwriters these days was Ritchie Cordell who gave them the hits “I Think We’re Alone Now” (later a hit for Tiffany) and “Mirage” in 1967.
From 1968, the group members tried themselves as songwriters, with James and Lucia penning the psychedelic classic “Crimson and Clover”. The song was also completely recorded and mixed by the two of them, with James taking over vocal duties and playing all instruments, and features the then remarkable use of electronic gadgetry such as vocoders and phasers.
Top Albums
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Anthology
Tommy James & The Shondells
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Tommy James & The Shondells
Tommy James & The Shondells Buy- Download Album
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Crimson & Clover
Tommy James & The ShondellsBuy- Download Album
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Shoutbox
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heart22 wrote:
wie lang is das denn her.....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Rissacakes wrote:
I'm so much in love with these guys. :)
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vodenapushka wrote:
nice!
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wowgrungegurl wrote:
I love tj and the shondells!!!
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afamiliarname wrote:
My gramps was Tommy James' English teacher, haha.
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Barbara--Ann wrote:
I have their original album Travelin', but only on vinyl record and it's so great, but even Last.fm doesn't have it on this list. :)
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NWG369 wrote:
Crystal Blue Persuasion is godlike
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NotSoVelvet wrote:
One of the many reasons why the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame is crap...these guys are not in it.
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mala_martyna wrote:
I'm Alive
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dundee12 wrote:
Hanky Panky
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xEvyn wrote:
Crimson & Clover, and I Think We're Alone Now are amazing.
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meha1970 wrote:
A truly beautiful song-takes you back to simpler times
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altdiddi wrote:
klasse song
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sh4n3 wrote:
Crimson and Clover long version = classic.
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ladyremiller wrote:
love, love, love this song .. short and long version. also try to hear the t.j. and shonells song sugar on sunday. . . great one, and barely known
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cassius747 wrote:
i agree totally with you mike. its a brilliant tune.
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MikeT-23 wrote:
I should clarify that the track I'm talking about is Crimson and Clover (first post, y'see, so didnae know the 'rules')
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MikeT-23 wrote:
I don't care where I am, or when I'm there, but when I hear this track......fuck me.....I love it. All I feel is happiness, and that if I drop dead as soon as it finishes, I'll drop with a satisfied grin on my face. Thanks to Tommy for creating it, and to Jim Jarmusch for bringing it into my life. You guys.....
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walkerpark wrote:
Truly Good Rock 'n Roll!!!
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genrig wrote:
Mamas Lieblingslied.
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Events
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May
7
Tommy James & The Shondells
Keswick Theatre, Glenside (Philadelphia) PA, United States
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MrsJimMorrison
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Recent Activity
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heart22, PaxRomonster, laikensmom and 11 other people added Tommy James & The Shondells to their libraries. yesterday morning
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feigling47 tagged Tommy James & The Shondells with ‘60s’. Thursday afternoon
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