Happy Birthday: Tommy James

Singer/guitarist Tommy James (most famous as leader of 60s pop group the Shondells) turns 63 today. During the 60s the Shondells racked up an impressive string of top 40 pop hits including “Hanky Panky,” “Mony Mony,” “Crimson and Clover,” “I Think We’re Alone Now” and several others that people of a certain age will remember.

Last week, Collectors’ Choice Music reissued four albums featuring James. In chronological order by original release date, they are:

I Think We’re Alone Now (1967)
Gettin’ Together (1967)
Travelin’ (1969)
My Head, My Bed, & My Red Guitar (Tommy James solo album from 1972)

James recently published his autobiography Me, The Music and The Mob, and that book is being made into a major motion picture. I will be doing an in-depth interview with Tommy James the week after next, so keep an eye out for a feature, coming soon.

Happy birthday to Tommy James.

About the Author

Bill Kopp

With a background in marketing and advertising, Bill Kopp got his professional start writing for Trouser Press. After a stint as Editor-in-chief for a national music magazine, Bill launched Musoscribe in 2009, and has published new content every business day since then (and every single day since 2018). The 4000-plus interviews, essays, and reviews on Musoscribe reflect Bill's keen interest in American musical forms, most notably rock, jazz, and soul. His work features a special emphasis on reissues and vinyl. Bill's work also appears in many other outlets both online and in print. He regularly hosts lecture/discussions on artists and albums of historical importance (including monthly events Music to Your Ears and Music Movie Mondays), and is a frequent guest on music-focused radio programs and podcasts. In Spring 2023 he is co-teaching a history of Rock 'n' Roll at UNC Asheville's College for Seniors. He also researches and authors liner notes for album reissues -- more than 30 to date -- and co-produced a reissue of jazz legend Julian "Cannonball" Adderley's final album. His first book, Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon was published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2018, and in paperback in 2019. His second book, Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave, was published in 2021 by HoZac Books. His third book, What's the Big Idea: 40 Great Concept Albums will be published in 2024. Read even more about him here.