My head actually hurts tonight from trying sop up all this fine music I’ve been jamming.
Coral and I went to see the movie Pirate Radio on Friday night. A very groovy film about the years of pirate radio in the UK in the mid 60s.
The film was entertaining and as a broadcaster, mind boggling. How could radio stations in the 60s have been so rad, but you punch up an oldies station today and no one is unzipping their pants on the air or broadcasting live on remote from a deflowering of a virgin? (heck why isn’t my show doing that now?)
The movie had an insane soundtrack of mostly 60s classics. One song that I downloaded after the film that is changing my world is Tommy James and The Shondells – “Crimson and Clover.”
This guy was a capital R rock star. Collapses on stage in 1970 because of a drug overdose, is pronounced dead medically… and uh, wakes up? Continues to rock? Priceless.
The man has an autobiography coming out in 2010 called “Me, the Mob, and the Music: One Helluva Ride with Tommy James and the Shondells.” Put that on my list of books that must be read.
If you’re thinking, “sure Jeremy, I’ll bite.”
Download “Crimson and Clover” for sure, but also consider “Mony Mony” or “I Think We’re Alone Now.” You recognize those titles, because they were covered in the 80s, but the originals are mighty. “Hany Panky” is kinda quirky fun too, and the song that shot Tommy to rock and roll fame.
I better pick-up my lotto max ticket this week. After I win I’ll be buying one of those second (or third) rate AM stations in Vancouver, doing a ton of drugs and spinning vinyl records on a radio console that looks like it from the set of Star Trek.
***
In other news, what is up with that chick Ke$ha? She is dominating top 40 right now. Why do we all love her? Oh right, she puked in Paris Hilton’s closet when she was on the Simple Life.
Well done cute popster, well done.
Go with yourself.
The Morning After 
My dad was like, obsessed with TJ and the S for most of 2004-2006. Would not stop telling me to listen to the CDs he kept burning me. Dammit. Now you’re suggesting it.
not that I want to be like your old man, but you’ll have ot concede him one life point. Tommy is so f’ing good, its a crime they don’t play his records in elementary schools for kids.
ed. Nov 18, is the “Manuscript Release Party” in NY for “Me, the Mob, and the Music: One Helluva Ride with Tommy James and the Shondells”!!!
The original Shondells: Mike Vale (bass), Ed Gray, (lead gutiar) and Ron Rosman (keys) will be performing at the event with Tommy! It’s the first time in over 40 years that they played in public together!!! Pete Lucia (drums) passed away 22 yrs. ago.
You can preorder the book NOW through Tommy’s website: tommyjames.com and it’s release date is Feb 16.
I have started a petition to get Tommy James and the Shondells inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and have personally collected 5820 signatures so far!!! These are ACTUAL signatures~not done online!!!
I’ve even gotten national recording artists to sign it for me, like BJ Thomas, The Smithereens, Jimi Jamison (Survivor), Fergie Frederiksen (Toto), Alex Ligertwood (Santanta) Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels, and several others!!!
I hope that the book, movie, and upcoming play will propel these guys into the Hall~where they should have been years ago! I know other groups deserve to be in as well, but I’ve had the pleasure of talking with Tommy about this, and I decided to try and help get them inducted. And no, I’m not an employee of his nor am I being compensated in any way, well outside of some pretty awesome autographed photos they sent me as a thank you!:) “I’m just an ORDINARY GIRL (Tommy James) trying to make a difference for one of my favorite rock bands”!!!:)
Congrats Tommy, Mike, Ed, and Ron, on “One Helluva Ride”! Your time has finally come!!! Love ya all!
Lori aka Petition Girl
[…] I do loves me some Tommy James and Shondells! Yesterday, god bless Pol Plastino and his lovely lady Hannah. Hannah works at Chapters and was able to track down a copy of Tommy James’ biography; Me, The Mob, and the Music. […]