Tommy James and The Shondells

Tommy James and the Shondells
Tommy James & the Shondells on their 2010 tour
Background information
Also known as	Tom & The Tornadoes The Shondells
Origin	Niles, Michigan, U.S.
Genres	Pop rock psychedelic rock rock and roll
Years active	1960 (1960)–present
Labels	Roulette
Associated acts	Hog Heaven
Website	tommyjames.com
Members	Tommy James John Golden Bobby Guy Glenn Wyka Greg Smith Al Fritsch Jonathn Ashe
Past members	Gary Hess Mike Vale Ronnie Rosman Joel Burcat Eddie Gray Peter Lucia, Jr. Joseph "Joe" Kessler Larry Wright Larry Coverdale Vincent Pietropaoli James Payne Mike Baird Craig Villeneuve George D. Magura John E. Van Dyke Kenneth "Fung Porter" King David Santos Ray van Straten Don Ciccone Lou Conte Owen Yost Kasim Sulton

Tommy James and the Shondells are an American rock band, formed in Niles, Michigan in 1960. They had two No. 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".

The band formed in 1959 in Niles, Michigan, first as the Echoes, then as Tom and the Tornadoes, with 12-year-old Tommy James (then known as Tommy Jackson) as lead singer. The group released its first single, "Long Pony Tail", in 1962. In 1964 James renamed the band the Shondells because the name "sounded good." At this time, the band included Tommy James (vocals and guitar), Larry Coverdale (lead guitar), Larry Wright (bass), Craig Villeneuve (keyboards) and Jim Payne (drums). In February 1964 the band recorded the Jeff Barry–Ellie Greenwich song "Hanky Panky" (originally a B-side by the Raindrops). Released by Snap Records, a local label, James's version sold respectably in Michigan, Indiana and Illinois, but Snap Records had no national distribution. The band toured the eastern Midwest, but no other market took to the song. The single failed to chart nationally, and the Shondells disbanded in 1965 after its members graduated from high school.