Eminem's first hit was "My Name Is," which introduced his alter ego, Slim Shady. Tommy James And The Shondells only had two number ones throughout their recording career. The Best of Tommy James & the Shondells [Intercontinental] Tommy James & the Shondells. Crystal Blue Persuasion - Tommy James & The Shondells (With Lyrics More images. 1967's I Think We're Alone Now and 1969's trippy Cellophane Symphony were two of the strongest albums from the group's original run and the 2021 box set Celebration: The Complete Roulette Recordings 1966-1973 ", The band Simple Minds took their name from the line "He's so simple minded he can't drive his module" in David Bowie's "The Jean Genie.". 4:01: A3: Mony, Mony. James needed to find a band quickly to be the new Shondells. Tommy James, Ed Gray, Mike Vale: Tommy James and The Shondells: May 1969: Covered by : Draggin' the Line: Tommy James, Bob King [CA1] Tommy James: December 1970: Eddie Gray "Crystal Blue Persuasion" lead guitar - 2d "original" Shondells Have a tip for the WESA newsroom? In Britain, the tracks had similar success. Behind The Song: "Crystal Blue Persuasion" by Tommy James & The Shondells [10] From late 1968, the group began writing their own songs, with James and Lucia penning the psychedelic-tinged classic "Crimson and Clover", which was recorded and mixed by Bruce Staple, with James tackling vocal duties and playing many of the instruments himself, and featured the creative use of studio effects such as delay and tremolo.[11]. Ed Gray, in addition to performing, owns and operates a recording studio in the Pittsburgh area in which he has recorded and produced a variety of successful acts.When asked why The Shondells chose to begin performing again now and, why without James, Vale said, "As I mentioned before, Tommy is off doing his own thing and we're happy for him. "The fact is that while we have all remained very active musically, the twists and turns within our individual lives have kept it from happening until now. We decided weve accomplished what we set out to do. Levy spurned Kasenetz and Katz, so they went elsewhere and became successful with such bands as the 1910 Fruitgum Company. The upcoming shows aim to remind audiences of the unrecognized contributions of the less famous Shondells. Eddie Gray The Guitarist Tommy James And The Shondells 1968 OLD - eBay [4] In Canada, the song spent one week at number one. Brian Kachejian is also an active member of the New York Press. and M.A. Tommy James & The Shondells - The Best Of Tommy James & The Shondells. Lead Guitar - Eddie Gray; Organ - Ronnie Rosman; Photography - Ron Meyers; Vocals - Tommy James; Tracklist is printed incorrectly on back cover. For single release, the Shondells shortened the title cut to their 1969 album. (Photo by Don Paulsen/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) Embed PURCHASE A LICENSE Standard editorial rights Custom rights How can I use this image? We took a long ride, and it was very successful, said Vale. Bottom: Mike Vale and Tommy James. The song is also referenced in the title of the season 30 finale Crystal Blue-Haired Persuasion, in which a segment of the song is played. Other Shondells covers have been performed by acts as disparate as psychobilly ravers the Cramps, new wave singer Lene Lovich, country music veteran Dolly Parton, and the Boston Pops orchestra. That quite frankly (ticked) us off to the extent that we decided it was over between us and thats what broke up the group, said Vale. 4 Connect with Mike Vale on Facebook Log In or Create new account "The group's reunion tour will begin around April 1st of the coming year in or around Pittsburgh at a site to be announced after the first of the year.For information regarding the group or its upcoming itinerary please email mvucish@aol.com. The Shondells [US1] Tommy James and The Shondells Tommy James & The Shondells Real name Thomas Gregory Jackson Born April 29, 1947 Country United States . Guitar - Eddie Gray; Keyboards - Ronnie Rosman; Vocals, Guitar - Tommy James; Barcode and Other Identifiers. Tommy James & the Shondells weren't considered very hip in their heyday, but they remain one of the best-remembered acts of the era. Tommy James and the Shondells is an American rock band formed in Niles, Michigan, in 1964. . Deep in the Roots. The next group of songs on this Top 10 Tommy James And The Shondells Songs list feature five of the bands biggest hits. "Crystal Blue Persuasion" is a 1969 song originally recorded by Tommy James and the Shondells and composed by Eddie Gray, Tommy James and Mike Vale.A gentle-. He signed with Leonard Stogel and Associates for management. We just wanted to do it long enough to create a tie to our legacy in the eyes of our younger family members. Billy Idol covered it in the 80s and had a big hit with it also. More images. Top 10 Tommy James And The Shondells Songs Celebration: The Complete Roulette Recordings 1966-1973, El Barrio: The Ultimate Collection of Latin Boogaloo, Disco, Funk & Soul, Crystal Blues Symphonies: The Psychedelic Years, El Barrio: Sounds from the Spanish Harlem Streets, 40 Years: The Complete Singles Collection (1966-2006), The Greatest Groovy 60's Hits of All Time, Rhino Hi-Five: Tommy James & The Shondells, Greatest Hits of Tommy James & the Shondells, Crimson and Clover: A Tribute to Tommy James and the Shondells, The Best of Tommy James & the Shondells [Intercontinental], Here Comes the Groom/The Name Above the Title, Hits of Tommy James & The Shondells, Vol. It was ne of three singles released from the I Think Were Alone Now album. What Musicians Are Related to Other Musicians. They recruited their longtime friend and drummer Mike Wilps to replace the late Peter Lucia. When Mack finally tracked down Tommy James in Niles, Michigan where the song was recorded, James told him The Shondells were no more. He has spent thirty years in the music business often working with many of the people who have appeared on this site. Who sang the song 'I Think We're. If we wanted to continue our music careers, we would have to form a new group.. Former Shondell Mike Vale's Crystal Blue Band to hold final concert But since this is such an important set, it's a shame that it falls prey to the usual career-spanning foibles, moving through the artist's prime just a little too quickly and spending more than half the set on post-peak material (i.e., the Tommy James solo years after his 1971 heyday). [4], The band The Echoes formed in 1959 in Niles, Michigan, then evolved into Tom and the Tornadoes, with 12-year-old Tommy James (then known as Tommy Jackson) as lead singer. Like so many bands in the 1960s such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Kinks etc,etc, Tommy James and the Shondells released multiple albums a year. The Latrobe-natives soon found themselves on a busy tour schedule with the band. Tommy James & the Shondells Albums and Discography | AllMusic He had a problem: It had taken Hanky Panky so long to finally break that the original Shondells had broken up and gone their separate ways. What would someone have us do, roll over and play dead? "Tomorrow People" by Ziggy Marley is the first song by a Marley to crack the US Top 40; the highest Bob got was #51 with "Roots, Rock, Reggae. Eddie Gray, the guitarist of the band Tommy James and the Shondells Crimson and Clover: A Tribute to Tommy James and the Shondells. "I was in a Greensburg, PA club one night, and I walked up to a group that was playing that I thought was pretty good and asked them if they wanted to be the Shondells. The record was released in 1969. Crimson & Clover is the sixth album by Tommy James and the Shondells. Tommy James And The Shondells - Tommy James And The Shondells In 2015, Vale and the other former Shondells reunited and formed the Crystal Blue Band after his grandchildren and great-grandchildren asked about the gold records displayed on the basement walls of his house in Deep Creek Lake, Md. In the mid-1980s, Tommy James began touring in oldies packages with other acts from the 1960s sometimes billed as Tommy James & the Shondells, although he is the group's only original member. At the Bitter End (2000)", "Michigan Rock and Roll Legends - TOMMY JAMES AND THE SHONDELLS", "TOMMY JAMES & THE SHONDELLS - full Official Chart History", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tommy_James_and_the_Shondells&oldid=1152332494. We didnt know who he was, said Vale, who was the bass player and vocalist for The Raconteurs. You can contact Paul at pguggenheimer@triblive.com. That wasnt the music we listened to, said Rosman. Tommy James And The Shondells - Getty Images Former Shondells create new group called The Crystal Blue Band - WJAC In 2015 Gray, Vale, and Rosman decided to reunite and form their new group, The Crystal Blue Band. Tommy James & The Shondells - The Best Of Tommy James & The Shondells. They had two number 1 hits in the United States and even more Top 40 hits. Its that one go to song when you need to get the party jumping. Tommy James and the Shondells Where and when: Community Theatre at Mayo Center for the Performing Arts, 100 South St., Morristown, Sept. 18 at 8 p.m.; House of Blues at Showboat, 801 Boardwalk . It happened as a result of Bo Gentry accidentally putting the tape of the song on backwards in the recording studio . The song marked the Shondells' breakthrough in the UK, where it hit #1. 45 years have past since Mike Vale, Ron Rosman and Eddie Gray, original members of the group have shared a concert stage. The American rock and roll band "Tommy James and the Shondells" was formed in 1959. [Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 19552002], Tommy James & the Shondells - Crystal Blue Persuasion, "Tommy James and the Shondells/Hitch (Article)", "Crystal Blue Persuasion by Tommy James & the Shondells - Songfacts", Tommy James and the Shondells, "Crystal Blue Persuasion" Chart Position, "Tommy James & The Shondells - Crystal Blue Persuasion - 1969", "Cash Box Top 100 Singles, August 2, 1969", "Top 100 Hits of 1969/Top 100 Songs of 1969", "Cash Box Top 100 Singles of 1969, December 27, 1969", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Crystal_Blue_Persuasion&oldid=1137506814, This page was last edited on 5 February 2023, at 00:25. The Monkees did a different song of the same title. Do Eric benet and Lisa bonet have a child together? ", In 1967 the Shondells had a top-five smash with "I Think We're Alone Now," which teen pop queen Tiffany later turned into a hit in the '80s. They also released 12 albums, 2 of which were certified platinum. The song was played during the pool scene in the TV movie Growing Up Brady, and was in the pilot episode of The Wonder Years. The band The Echoes formed in 1959 in Niles, Michigan, then evolved into Tom and the Tornadoes, . The song originally appeared on the Crimson & Clover LP. And were thinking What are we getting into? Two years later, Rhino Records issued the Shondells' Anthology. Eddie Gray | Discography | Discogs Guitarist Eddie Gray and drummer Peter Lucia of American band Tommy James and the Shondells in a recording studio, circa 1968. Also, it's a strict singles compilation, which means that many great songs are bypassed simply because they weren't judged worthy of a single -- and the Shondells pumped out some excellent B-sides. We would hear guys say to Morris Hey, I took care of that guy, I broke his legs and stuff like that. He released his first solo album, It's A Pittsburgh Thing, in 2010 and his second, In My Dreams, in 2013. Written-By - Ed Gray*, Mike Vale, Tommy James. James attempted to contact other members of the Shondells, but they had all moved away, joined the service or gotten married and left the music business altogether. Tommy James & The Shondells hometown, lineup, biography - Last.fm 1 singles in the U.S. "Hanky Panky" (July 1966, their only RIAA Certified Gold record) and "Crimson and Clover" (February 1969) and also charted twelve other top 40 hits, including five in the Hot 100's top ten: "I Think We're Alone Now", "Mirage", "Mony Mony", "Sweet Cherry Wine" and "Crystal Blue Persuasion". He said, I want to play a song for you thats going to be No. MUSICIANS Guitars: Tommy James, Eddie Gray Moog Synthesizer, Electric / Acoustic Pianos, Hammond Organ, Harpsichords: Ron Rosman, Tommy James Bass Guitar: Mike Vale Drums & Percussion: Peter Lucia What Mack didn't know is that the song, recorded by Tommy James and The Shondells in 1964, had languished for two years prompting the band members to go their separate ways and get day jobs. He was not dead, however, and decided to move to the country to rest and recuperate, and left the band. In February 1964 the band recorded the Jeff BarryEllie Greenwich song "Hanky Panky" (originally a B-side by the Raindrops[6]). The latest is his "In My Dreams" album on Slamtrack Records. I was flattered but I said, Ive got to talk it over with the guys., The next morning, Im on my way to a day job that I had and I turned on the radio, and, sure enough, I put it on KQV, and Chuck Brinkman was the jock at the time. 2023 Viacom International Inc. All Rights Reserved. Continuing with our top 10 Tommy James And The Shondells songs list we turn to their Cellophane Symphony album. In April 1966 James went by himself to make promotional appearances in Pittsburgh in nightclubs and on local television. When they realized the popularity and scope of Hanky Panky, they were all in. Sorry, we couldnt resist. The Heptones. The LP, featuring liner notes by Democratic Presidential candidate Hubert Humphrey, yielded the top-10 "Sweet Cherry Wine" and the #2 smash "Crystal Blue Persuasion.". During the process of recording a second album, which was never released, Vale said he and the others learned that Tommy James had decided to go back out on the road as a solo act with another band backing him up. Gray, Ed. In 1967, Tommy James and the Shondells released two more albums entitled I Think Were Alone Now and Getting Together. 7 hit single "Tighter, Tighter" for the group Alive N Kickin'. The solo career of Tommy James post-Shondells is well worth investigating for those who focus only on the early material, but spending one-third of the set's running time on the mid-'80s and beyond smacks of hubris. Songs written by Tommy James | SecondHandSongs With national promotion, the single became a No. We didnt know it would go this long, said Vale. To pick up the slack, Pete Lucia was brought in on drums, and Eddie Gray on guitar making Tommy James and The Shondells a five-piece guitar-oriented band. www.tommyjames.com/tours.php. James disputes this, saying that Super K Productions "bubblegum" producers Jerry Kasenetz and Jeffry Katz approached his record company (run by Morris Levy) looking for songwriting jobs. In a 1985 interview in Hitch magazine, James said the title of the song came to him while he was reading the Biblical Book of Revelation: I took the title from the Book of Revelations [sic] in the Bible, reading about the New Jerusalem. Co-written by James, Cordell, Cordell's writing partner Bo Gentry, and Bobby Bloom, "Mony Mony" reached No. Tommy James . Thank God, the stars have recently aligned in a way to bring us back together.Although The Shondells did get together with Tommy James in 2011 briefly to help write and record a Christmas album, the group will be touring without TJ who continues to perform with his own group of musicians.Mike, Ed and Ron, along with fellow Shondell, Peter Lucia, who has since passed away, were often guests on TV's most popular shows of the day like "The Ed Sullivan Show"(twice), "American Bandstand" (3 times), "The Dating Game", "Joey Bishop" and many more. Tommy James & The Shondells | Diskographie | Discogs However, James was labeled as a bubblegum pop artist, which he hated. The bands Crimson and Clover album spawned five singles including the number one title track Crimson and Clover.. 4:01: A3: Mony, Mony. The record was released in January of 1969. The principal riff of the song is sampled in the song "Sabbatical" by German nu jazz group De-Phazz, from their 2001 album Death by Chocolate. Vale was a co-writer for many of the Shondells hits, but the Tommy Jones team has largely erased the members of the Raconteurs from the bands history. In 2012, "Crystal Blue Persuasion" was used in the eighth episode of the fifth season of Breaking Bad, "Gliding Over All", during a montage depicting the process involved to bring main character Walter White's methamphetamine operation and its signature blue crystal meth to an international level. You know the scenes - Tom Cruise in his own pants-off dance off, Molly Ringwald celebrating her birthday - but do you remember what song is playing? Tommy James And The Shondells would never have the success again that they did with the Crimson and Clover album. That leaves Rhino's excellent single-disc Anthology as the best Tommy James for the money, with 40 Years: The Complete Singles Collection (1966-2006) being content to open up the career of these hitmakers beyond their '60s prime. In 1966, TommyJames and the Shondellsreleased their first official album entitled Hanky Panky. It was the second single released from the album. Sugar On Sunday, was never released as a single but its one of the sweetest songs that Tommy James And The Shondells ever released. It was frightening at times, said Vale. Tommy James & The Shondells - Crimson And Clover (LIVE) 4:41; Tommy James and The Shondells - Crimson and Clover. Bubblegum is generally traced to the success of the 1968 Fruitgum Company hit "Simon Says". Meanwhile, in 1965, Pittsburgh dance promoter Bob Mack had unearthed the forgotten single "Hanky Panky", playing it at various dance parties, and radio stations there touted it as an "exclusive". 95.7fm WELT is a non-commercial, listener-sponsored, member-controlled community radio station licensed by the FCC to broadcast within Allen County. As the band embraced the sounds of psychedelia, they were invited to perform at Woodstock, but declined. This montage was subsequently parodied as the opening scene in The Simpsons season 24, episode 17 "What Animated Women Want". 1, #21) from 1988. What happened to Eddie Grey of Tommy James and the shondells? The Crystal Blue Band, Vale and Rosmans current project, is a response to their erasure from the Shondells historical narrative. They were very proud, Vale said. In 1969, the band released the album Cellophane Symphony. Billboard Hot 100. 2023 Trib Total Media | All Rights Reserved. 6, I Said, She Said, Ah Cid: The Exploito Psych World of Alshire Records 1967-1971, Billboard Karaoke: Top 10 Box Set, Vol. While attending Niles High School in Niles, Michigan, the group released its first single, "Long Pony Tail", in 1962.[5]. In 2012 "Crystal Blue Persuasion" was used in the eighth episode of Season 5 of Breaking Bad, "Gliding Over All", during a montage depicting the process involved to bring main character Walter White's methamphetamine operation and its signature blue crystal meth to an international level. Its as classic as Shout, or Louie Louie. It may not have been Tommy James And The Shondells biggest hit, but it easily has become the most popular song they ever released. Tommy James and the Shondells - Wikipedia Written-By - Ed Gray*, Mike Vale, Tommy James. Traci died of Lupus, which led Mike Sr. to start a benefit golf tournament to raise money for the Lupus Foundation that for 15 years included a jam session with his many musician friends. Were a couple of coal miners kids from Pennsylvania. It was frightening.. [9] In early 1967 songwriter Ritchie Cordell gave them the No. [Chorus] I think we're alone now There doesn't seem to be anyone around I think we're alone now The beating of our hearts is the only sound [Outro] I think we're alone now There doesn't seem to be . We would have to be hidden.. The single failed to chart nationally and the Shondells disbanded in 1965 after its members graduated from high school. More Images. Also in 1968, the Shondells performed at rallies for many Democratic political candidates. Mike Vale and I wrote the lyrics and it just came together, just kind of fell out of our face right there in the hotel . Read Full Biography Overview Biography Discography Songs Credits Awards Related Share on facebook twitter tumblr Album Discography full condensed blue highlight denotes album pick Guitarist Eddie Gray (left) and drummer Peter Lucia of American band Tommy James and the Shondells in a recording . ), the group nevertheless kept on plugging with a raft of bright, hooky rockers that charted solidly but never seemed to reach as high as they deserved. Former Amazon exec wants to bring manufacturing jobs back to the U.S., starting in New Kensington, Polio vaccine pioneer Jonas Salk's archives 'come home' to the University of Pittsburgh, Sto-Rox School District seeks public input on financial recovery plans, Its May 1 your last chance to register to vote in the Pennsylvania primary, Home gardeners prepare: the invasive spotted lanternflies are returning. If your interested in writing for us, send us an email at MusicParty@yahoo.com, Top 10 Tommy James And The Shondells Songs, About: ClassicRockHistory.com CLASSIC ROCK HISTORY, 18 Best Greatest Hits Albums With Unreleased Tracks & Non-Album Singles, Real Meanings Behind The Songs On Stevie Nicks In Your Dreams LP, Springsteen To Appear On CBS Sunday Morning Show April 30, 2023, Stephen Stills To Release A New Album Of Unreleased Live Music, Unreleased Classic Rock Photos Vol.1: ELP The Mike Hill Series, Elton Johns Honky Chteau Album Gets Deluxe 50th Anniversary Reissue, 10 Musicians Who Survived Fire And Electrical Accidents On Stage, How George Harrisons Extra Texture Session Musicians Formed Their Own Band, 10 Classic Rock Bands That Have Never Released A Live Album, Why Basic Music CDs Will Become Collectors Items, Kris Gustofson of Trauma: The ClassicRockHistory.com Interview, An Interview With Jeremy Asbrock Of The Ace Frehley Band, Chris McHugh: The ClassicRockHistory.com Interview, Marcos Mena of Standards: The ClassicRockHistory.com Interview, Carly Simons HOTCAKES Album Still Sizzles After 49 Years, Why Elton Johns Dont Shoot Me Im Only the Piano Player Was One Of His Most Melodic LPs, When Zappa Met Grand Funk: The Good Singin Good PlayinAlbum, Complete List Of David Gilmour Albums And Discography, Complete List Of Florence + The Machine Albums And Discography, Complete List Of The Smiths Albums And Discography, Complete List Of Cage The Elephant Albums And Discography. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Eddie Gray The Guitarist Tommy James And The Shondells 1968 OLD MUSIC PHOTO 1 at the best online prices at eBay! By 1970, James was in such bad mental and physical health that he started missing shows and the band would sometimes have to perform without him, which didnt go over well with the audience. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. In his book, Me, The Mob and the Music, James credits Pittsburgh dance promoter Bob Mack and never mentions Metrovich. What are the qualities of an accurate map? You may find their concert tour at When Mack finally tracked down Tommy James in Niles, Michigan where the song was recorded, James told him The Shondells were no more. My mom was with him. Brian Kachejian was born in Manhattan and raised in the Bronx. 1 singles in November 1987). 1 singles in the U.S., "Hanky Panky" (July 1966) and "Crimson and Clover" (February 1969), and also charted twelve other top 40 hits, including five in the hot 100's top ten: "I Think We're Alone Now . Eddie Gray | Credits | AllMusic Brian Kachejian also holds B.A. 2004. Tommy James & The Shondells "Crimson & Clover" on The Ed - YouTube The catchy tune was suddenly getting on Pittsburgh radio, and it was on its way to becoming the No. Crimson & Clover (album) - Wikipedia [2], At the time of the song's release there were several popular types of high quality blue-colored LSD tablets in circulationsome listeners generally assumed James was referring to "acid". Tommy James and the Shondells is an American pop and Rock n Roll group that was most active in the 60s. He is the founder and Editor in Chief of ClassicRockHistory.com. View credits, reviews, tracks and shop for the 1970 Vinyl release of "The Best Of Tommy James & The Shondells" on Discogs. When released as a single in June 1969, "Crystal Blue Persuasion" became one of the biggest hits for the group, peaking at number two on the Billboard pop singles chart for three weeks behind Zager and Evans's single "In the Year 2525". $1 million Pennsylvania Lottery ticket sold at Allegheny County Giant Eagle, Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board to hold rare whiskey lottery, 3 juveniles charged after man assaulted, robbed in downtown Pittsburgh, 2 taken into custody after high-speed Pittsburgh police chase, Fire tears through Chilis Bar & Grill restaurant on McKnight Road, closing business indefinitely. . They may be right about the De-Evoloution thing. Free shipping for many products! This page is not available in other languages. The song peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States.Crystal Blue Persuasion,was written by Eddie Gray, Tommy James, Mike Vale. It was a top 40 hit in the United States peaking at number 31 on the U.S. Tommy James and the Shondells | Encyclopedia.com Tommy James tells all: The glorious highs and little-known dark - nj
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