I was born in 1980, but I love music from the 60s and 70s, and I like Tommy James and the Shondelles; they rank in my top twenty-five greatest bands. Now here’s the thing I don’t get. They had a couple of hits (“Hanky Panky,” “Mony Mony”), some really damned good songs (“Crimson and Clover”), and a lot of songs that people recognize, but can’t attach to the band ("Crystal Blue Persuassion). How come they’re not that big or recoginized or respected as some other bands of the 60s. I’m not talking about the Beatles; I’m thinking even Steppenwolf (which only has one good song, IMHO) is more popular than them.
On a related note, what makes some songs universally popular, and others not? Like “Satisfaction” by the Rolling Stones compared to “Your 19th Nervous Breakdown”? They were both very big hits at the time of their release, but not many people recognize the latter. Why is this? Maybe someone from that time period can clear it up for me.
Just a WAG on Tommy James: I think most people look at him as more of a bubblegum rock act and, therefore, is not worthy of much attention. (I was born in 1963, BTW)
I was born in 1958, and I loved Crystal Blue Persuasion. I first heard it in 1968. Good make-out song
What more can be said? “They may not have gone down in the annals of rock history quite like the Beatles did, but in the late sixties, Tommy James and the Shondelles sold more singles. The pop songs that James wrote and performed still hold up in contemporary culture (a fact that is proven by Billy Idol’s remake of “Mony, Mony” and Tiffany’s cover of “I Think We’re Alone Now”). This video showcases a live performance of these and other classic tunes at the famous Bitter End venue in New York’s Greenwich Village. In addition, the viewer gets access to rare interview footage with the man behind the hits.”