One day way back when I was in college at BYU I was out by myself having new adventures. I happened to notice that Tommy James was playing a concert that night on campus. I really love his music so I went to the ticket office to see if I could get a really good single ticket. The ticket lady said “how about first row?” I could not get my money out fast enough! When I went into the venue I also discovered that two seats over from me sat Donny Osmond, who was already famous and was also attending BYU. I talked with him and his date while we were waiting for the show to begin. Tommy and his group came out, and for the whole show he was about 20’ from my seat. Before he performed Hanky Panky, he told a short version of the story of that song. It was obviously a very memorable night for me!
I really like your content;enjoy the stories behind the hits and the performers’ lives. Something to keep in mind: violent movie scenes bother some people. I shut off your excellent interview at the moment you showed the violent movie scene. It’s a very common practice, but one I can’t abide.
When I was 10 or 11, some friends and I would play air guitar and drums in his garage and play this over and over. We were in the garage cause his mother was sick of hearing it. We didn't know a garage band was a thing.
I absolutely loved this song, I was only 7 years old when I first heard it and I thought the guy who recorded it lived right down the street from me. He had a garage band and the guys would play 3-4 times a week with their garage door open. For us little kids, it was like having a concert, Hanky Panky was played each time they practiced. I loved Tommy James and the Shondells and oI still do today. I'm so glad that Tommy is doing well after the passing of his wife. Long Live the music of Tommy James & The Shondells! Thank you for covering this great story! Cheers!
I love Tommy James, definately got their Anthology set. Crystal Blue Persuasion ranks at the top for me…can still remember being at a rock quarry for a swim with family in Sw MI when that song came on.
Tommy man, you look great, some great music came out of you but I was so confused at one time because I had a cousin named Tommy James, I have a great AHanky Panky memory. About 35 years ago my best friend’s husband was cheating on her, one day I had her three year old daughter with me as I ran some errands, now, we are from the rural South with the very country accents that go along with that, I heard Hanky Panky on the car radio and kept singing it over and over, I asked “Debbie” if her Mom did the Hanky Panky, she said no, I asked about Grandma and Grandpa, she kept saying no, finally I asked, does your Daddy do the Hanky Panky, in an exasperated little voice she lisped out, “ No Mithess Cookmy Daddy does the twee ast” say it slowly just as it looks. It was the cutest thing ever. Adam, Tommy was right, you did your homework, you always do and we appreciate it, thanks so much, great show s usual, have a good weekend my friend.
This was fantastic. I absolutely love the whole behind the scenes thing. Tommy James is legendary, and this story just solidifies that in my mind. Well done Prof, well done.
In HS a sock hop took place in the gym with someone with a record and a stack of 45’s. Probably where I heard I Think We’re Alone Now. In the fall of 1967 I attended SUNY Oswego along with my girlfriend. The entertainment committee put on a “Sock Hop” in the college ballroom. My gf and I invited our teenage sisters to join us. Because we were in college a real band was hired. Tommy James and the Shondels. The upper class was finally placated. They were upset that a group was book to play a concert for freshman orientation only. The group, The Buckinghams cancelled, but played a concert a few months later. The group that replaced them for the freshmen were The Doors.
In the 60's I had two favorite groups and a stack of records and tapes of: The Beatles and Tommy James & The Shondells. I still have the Snap 45 to this day. The flip side with Thunderbolt is great too.
“I tried to make it sound that bad.” That's classic. This man is an underrated icon. He got screwed by the mob. I wonder if Billy Joel got screwed by the mob as well.
I remember hearing that on the radio when I was 6 or 7, I loved it and followed Tommy James and the Shondells throughout their career. In 1970 I remember Crystal Blue Persuasion on the jukebox at the Teen Club on the Presidio in SF, what a memorable time.
Always a great bunch of history, my favorite part was in the beginning of the interview, when Tommy James is blown away by Adam's knowledge of the very early days. Adam always does his homework, and is definitely the "Professor of Rock, thanks man
Great interview with a great 60s artist! I just dug through my 45s looking for my copy of Crimson and Clover…couldn't find it. To think I had a record that had ties to the Genovese Family!
Poll: STRAIGHT UP-What is your pick for the GREATEST ROCK SONG of the 60s?
Very interesting interview!
I absolutely knew just from the thumbnail, you were going to be talking about Tommy James and "Hanky Panky"
"My baby does the Cranky Frankie"… "I think I'm a clone now"… "Money money, money money"… Crimson Range Rover, over and over"…
One day way back when I was in college at BYU I was out by myself having new adventures. I happened to notice that Tommy James was playing a concert that night on campus. I really love his music so I went to the ticket office to see if I could get a really good single ticket. The ticket lady said “how about first row?” I could not get my money out fast enough! When I went into the venue I also discovered that two seats over from me sat Donny Osmond, who was already famous and was also attending BYU. I talked with him and his date while we were waiting for the show to begin. Tommy and his group came out, and for the whole show he was about 20’ from my seat. Before he performed Hanky Panky, he told a short version of the story of that song. It was obviously a very memorable night for me!
I really like your content;enjoy the stories behind the hits and the performers’ lives. Something to keep in mind: violent movie scenes bother some people. I shut off your excellent interview at the moment you showed the violent movie scene. It’s a very common practice, but one I can’t abide.
When I was 10 or 11, some friends and I would play air guitar and drums in his garage and play this over and over. We were in the garage cause his mother was sick of hearing it. We didn't know a garage band was a thing.
Breaking News!!
Tommy James is an all-time favorite for me!
Bruce Morrow has interviewed TJ many times on his Saturday night show. He always comes across as informative, humble and likable.
I absolutely loved this song, I was only 7 years old when I first heard it and I thought the guy who recorded it lived right down the street from me. He had a garage band and the guys would play 3-4 times a week with their garage door open. For us little kids, it was like having a concert, Hanky Panky was played each time they practiced. I loved Tommy James and the Shondells and oI still do today. I'm so glad that Tommy is doing well after the passing of his wife. Long Live the music of Tommy James & The Shondells! Thank you for covering this great story! Cheers!
I love Tommy James, definately got their Anthology set. Crystal Blue Persuasion ranks at the top for me…can still remember being at a rock quarry for a swim with family in Sw MI when that song came on.
Tommy man, you look great, some great music came out of you but I was so confused at one time because I had a cousin named Tommy James, I have a great AHanky Panky memory. About 35 years ago my best friend’s husband was cheating on her, one day I had her three year old daughter with me as I ran some errands, now, we are from the rural South with the very country accents that go along with that, I heard Hanky Panky on the car radio and kept singing it over and over, I asked “Debbie” if her Mom did the Hanky Panky, she said no, I asked about Grandma and Grandpa, she kept saying no, finally I asked, does your Daddy do the Hanky Panky, in an exasperated little voice she lisped out, “ No Mithess Cookmy Daddy does the twee ast” say it slowly just as it looks. It was the cutest thing ever. Adam, Tommy was right, you did your homework, you always do and we appreciate it, thanks so much, great show s usual, have a good weekend my friend.
I saw him in 1968 at the Cross County Shopping Center in Yonkers, NY. It was a rally for Hubert Humphrey.
Yes, it was a very weird year.
Like your show but hate when you lie about your bio stuff….
Cool story about a cool song.
Great songwriter and singer, great songs, great story and a great book!
This was fantastic. I absolutely love the whole behind the scenes thing. Tommy James is legendary, and this story just solidifies that in my mind. Well done Prof, well done.
Do u still work with Zenni?
The first record I purchased with my own money was Crimson and Clover. I loved Tommy James and The Shondells.
In HS a sock hop took place in the gym with someone with a record and a stack of 45’s. Probably where I heard I Think We’re Alone Now. In the fall of 1967 I attended SUNY Oswego along with my girlfriend. The entertainment committee put on a “Sock Hop” in the college ballroom. My gf and I invited our teenage sisters to join us. Because we were in college a real band was hired. Tommy James and the Shondels. The upper class was finally placated. They were upset that a group was book to play a concert for freshman orientation only. The group, The Buckinghams cancelled, but played a concert a few months later. The group that replaced them for the freshmen were The Doors.
In the 60's I had two favorite groups and a stack of records and tapes of: The Beatles and Tommy James & The Shondells. I still have the Snap 45 to this day. The flip side with Thunderbolt is great too.
Pretty neat! Another tune from the year I was born, 1966! Amazing how rock music evolved and went sky high! 😋👍🏻
I still have this 45 that I bought in grade school.
“I tried to make it sound that bad.” That's classic. This man is an underrated icon. He got screwed by the mob. I wonder if Billy Joel got screwed by the mob as well.
Congratulations on your new gig! I'm looking forward to catching it on WDRV Chicago.
Nobody thinks Hanky Panky was the first punk rock song.
PLEASE do a story about Mad Mike Metrovich! So much rich content there!
I remember hearing that on the radio when I was 6 or 7, I loved it and followed Tommy James and the Shondells throughout their career. In 1970 I remember Crystal Blue Persuasion on the jukebox at the Teen Club on the Presidio in SF, what a memorable time.
Always a great bunch of history, my favorite part was in the beginning of the interview, when Tommy James is blown away by Adam's knowledge of the very early days. Adam always does his homework, and is definitely the "Professor of Rock, thanks man
Tommy still performs grear concerts.
Crimson and clover over and over.
Ha! Who knew? Loved that song as a kid…
really great stuff prof, thanks! Your interviews are great.
The Power Glove…It's so Bad!
His book was optioned, I SO wish they'd get a movie out on it!! The book is a MUST READ!!!
Fascinating.
Tommy Games has hardly changed in looks after all these years.
Tommy James and the Shondells sang two of my all time favorite songs from Junior High School: Crimson and Clover and Crystal Blue Persuasion.
WOW he graduated high school a year before me.
Tommy James is phenomenal
Great interview with a great 60s artist! I just dug through my 45s looking for my copy of Crimson and Clover…couldn't find it. To think I had a record that had ties to the Genovese Family!
My favorite Tommy tune!
Very cool interview. I’m from Niles, so it’s something to hear that town mentioned here.
I absolutely love ur channel , but the problem is so addictive but that's ok to
Professor of Rock rivals Casey Kasem. Well done, young man.
So when are you gonna cover play that funky music white boy?
Love the whole story! As a history nut and growing up during that time as a little girl. I love learning learning the truth! Thanks
Love the song, love the story.