Rock n' Roll Legend With His Own SiriusXM Radio Show Continues To Tour, Plays Carolina Opry July 12th

Jeff Walker,  Entertainment Writer 

Barely out of junior high legendary singer Tommy James was already making a name for himself in the music business, playing gigs all around his native Niles, Michigan. With his bandmates The Shondells, or as a solo artist, James has sold over 100 million records worldwide. He's achieved 32 Billboard Hot 100 charting hits, including 23 gold singles and nine gold and platinum albums.

James admits performing was part of his early DNA. "Honestly, it's all I've ever wanted to do. My grandfather gave me a ukulele when I was four and I played around with that and singing for a few years." However, there was a more defining turning point in the 1950's that set James on his career path. "I was nine when I saw Elvis on The Ed Sullivan Show." 

He goes on to say. "Right then and there I put the ukulele down and got an acoustic guitar. A year later I got my first electric guitar. I didn't fancy myself being a lead guitar player, but initially it felt right having a guitar with me while I was singing."

He lists several early greats as influences. "Elvis was the first. But guys like Gene Vincent, Eddie Cochran, Little Richard, Chuck Berry, and Jerry Lee Lewis had an impact on me. Rock n' roll was dangerous when it first came out. Like a lot of young people I was drawn to it, and still am."

With a new outlook he formed his first band. "Some friends and myself formed a group when I was 12 (Tom & the Tornados), and by the time I was 13 we were performing money gigs. From age 13 until I graduated high school we played places like the Elks Club, teen dances, and the local YMCA." James was able to self promote the band with his part time job. "I worked at a local record store in Niles, so I could get the word out." The bands first single 'Long Pony Tail' was released in 1962.

Just 17 years old (1964) when he put his distinct vocals to 'Hanky Panky', a regional hit that would top the Billboard charts two years later after signing with Roulette Records, James would quickly become one of the most sought after artists in the late 1960's and early 70's. Written by famous songwriters Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich, recording 'Hanky Panky' was a defining moment for James, with his version more pure garage rock, akin to 'Louie Louie' by The Kingsmen. 

Originally recorded by The Raindrops (1963), when James put his own spin on it, he sensed it would be with him for a long time. "I had a feeling. Maybe a lot of it was wishful thinking. There was this raw energy to the song. I was a junior in high school at the time. The single sold well locally, and I was becoming a big fish in a small pond."

After finishing high school James hit the road. "I graduated and started to do the club circuit, mostly throughout the mid-west."

As fate would have it he was back home in Niles when he got a call that would change his life. "I get this call from the owner of Snap Records. Apparently a disc jockey in Pittsburgh found a copy of 'Hanky Panky' and added it in rotation. A local label had bootlegged the song and sold 80K in less than two weeks, and the song went to number one on the radio station."

Not long after James was in Pittsburgh, picked up a new manager and new bandmates before heading to New York to shop a major record deal. That's where his rise in the music industry gets interesting. "This chapter of my life is integral to my career. My manager and myself made the rounds with all the record labels. Everybody was interested. We're talking CBS, Epic, and Atlantic Records. They were all a yes, so we just had to decide which one to go with."

The story gets juicier. "Next morning it's 10am and I get a call from all them, and they said 'listen Tom we got to pass'. Roulette Records was the last one we saw. Their head guy was Morris Levy. I didn't know early on, but he and the label had ties to the mob. And apparently Levy had called all the other labels and said 'this is my 'F'-ing band'. Thankfully, Jerry Wexler (Atlantic Records) was honest about that whole thing. Long story short we signed with Roulette." 

Tommy James' rise to superstardom and his dealings with Roulette Records are chronicled in his 2010 book 'Me, the Mob, and the Music: One Helluva Ride with Tommy James & The Shondells' co-written with Martin Fitzpatrick. He says he had to wait for a few organized crime members to pass away before releasing the memoir. "Back then I didn't know who I was rubbing shoulders with. But the book was kind of my way to set the story straight." He adds, "A movie is in the works." 

During a solid decade run James would record some of the rock n' roll's most recognizable hits including 'Mony Mony,' 'I Think We're Alone Now,' 'Crimson & Clover,' 'Crystal Blue Persuasion,' 'Sweet Cherry Wine,' 'Draggin The Line, and 'Crimson & Clover' with the latter spending two weeks atop the charts in early 1969.' He would score another hit in 1980 with the up-tempo ballad 'Three Times in Love'. It reached #1 on the adult contemporary chart and #19 on the Billboard Hot 100.

James' career and name had somewhat of a resurgence in the 1980's when three of his biggest hits found new life with emerging artists. "It started with Joan Jett. I love her rendition of 'Crimson and Clover' (1982). It just has a nice edge to it." In 1986 Billy Idol and pop star Tiffany would have successful chart toppers with 'Mony Mony' and 'I Think We're Alone Now' respectively. "What's crazy about that is, Billy's single replaced Tiffany's at number one."

The average fan might be surprised James has had so much success, especially selling over 100 million records. "That's worldwide, and that's over 15 years. Half of those were with Roulette. I actually recorded 110 songs for Roulette." He adds, "There's been over 300 covers of my songs. REM, Dolly Parton, and even Prince have recorded my songs. REM did a great cover of 'Draggin' the Line'."

Sadly James says with Roulette being controlled by the mob, it affected his income level. "I probably lost somewhere around $30 million in royalties." The label would eventually be bought out by Warner Music and later acquired by Sony Corporation which proved to be a sweet deal for James. "Sony acquired the publishing and the masters to my music. My songs have been featured in over 90 movies since that acquisition." 'Crimson and Clover' and 'Crystal Blue Persuasion' both made it in 'Forrest Gump'.

Additionally James' songs have been featured in another 100 plus TV shows including 'Breaking Bad', 'Righteous Gemstones', 'The Simpsons', 'Criminal Minds', 'Cobra Kai' and 'The Simpsons'.

Nearly 60 years later his songs continue to resonate from classic pop and rock radio formats. While he admits there have been numerous highlights along the way, a few come to mind. "I got to hang out with John Lennon one evening. We were both getting BMI Awards in 1971. John for 'Imagine' and me for 'Draggin' the Line'. We spent the entire night just bull-shitting."

Regarding The Beatles, he goes on to say. "I met Paul and Ringo at separate times. I never did meet George but after I topped the charts in Britian in the late 60's George's Grapefruit group wrote some songs for me to record. George actually delivered them to my manager himself. I was out on tour so I wasn't able to meet him."

Another career highlight comes by way of the number one variety TV show. While up and coming stand-up comics list performing on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson as a boost to their careers, musical acts credit being on The Ed Sullivan Show as a benchmark. Tommy James and the Shondells performed twice on Ed's show.

According to James, there was a difference between the two. "To be on The Ed Sullivan Show you already had to be a star. Ed wasn't breaking new acts. You had to have hit songs. The first time we played we performed 'Crimson and Clover', and 'Mony Mony'."

James admits to being somewhat apprehensive when appearing on the show. "We had to play live on live TV. I was terribly nervous. I begged Ed to allow me to lip sync to 'Crimson and Clover'. The studio sound on the record would have been hard to re-create live." The shows producers relented and provided a modified backing track. "Thankfully, it all worked out." 

Aside from appearing on The Ed Sullivan Show, James lists his own radio show as a career highlight. "I'm on on my eighth year hosting my own show on SiriusXM radio. I absolutely love it. I get to talk to a lot of the artists I came up with and hear from fans. And on top of all that I get to play really good songs from the 60's." His radio show 'Gettin' Together with Tommy James' plays on SiriusXM's 60s Gold channel (channel 73). The show airs on Sundays from 5-8pm ET.

A professed Christian who accepted Christ in the late 1960's, James regrets he fell into a dark culture that he's not proud of. "I did my share of drugs and alcohol. I was the definition of a 60's kid living a rock n' roll lifestyle. Everyone around me was doing it, and I was just trying to keep up with them." 

After 20 years James had an epiphany. "One day I woke up and decided I was tired of being high and the hangovers. It was 1986. I stop boozing. Gave up the drugs. I checked myself into the Betty Ford Center and got clean. It's so liberating performing sober."

While still exploring his newfound faith, James released 'Christian of the World' in 1971. His second solo album featured one of his biggest hits. 'Draggin' the Line' reached #2 in Canada, #4 on the Billboard Hot 100, and #6 on the U.S. adult contemporary chart. Despite a hit song, the album only reached #131 on the Billboard 200. "I'm proud of that album, the songs, and my current walk with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

78 years young, James continues to be out there wowing fans, touring regularly on Friday and Saturday nights all across America. "I absolutely love it. I love performing the songs that put me on this journey." He's delighted his music has impacted more than just baby boomers. "I look out during my concerts and I see three generations of fans." He adds, "My very first hit (Hanky Panky), still gets fans screaming. I'll be honest with you, it's a bit of a rush."

South Carolina fans of all ages who want to scream and or sing along to Tommy James' greatest hits can see him and his Shondells perform live at the Carolina Opry on Saturday July 12th. Show time is 7pm. For more visit https://thecarolinaopry.com/event/tommy-james/  To see where James will be performing in the near future visit https://www.tommyjames.com/concerts/