Tommy James Wife: Meet Lynda James

Tommy James Wife: Meet Lynda James – Tommy James is a renowned American musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer.

Originally born Thomas Gregory Jackson on April 29, 1947, he is best known as the frontman of the iconic 1960s rock band, Tommy James and the Shondells, celebrated for their chart-topping hits, including “Mony Mony,” “Crimson and Clover,” and “I Think We’re Alone Now.”

Remarkably, James began his journey in the world of entertainment at a very young age. At just four years old, he started his career as a child model, foreshadowing his future in the limelight.

In 1959, at the tender age of twelve, James displayed his musical talents by forming a band named “The Echoes.” As time progressed, the group evolved into “Tom and the Tornadoes,” showcasing James’ early commitment to music.

The pivotal year of 1964 saw the band undergo a name change, becoming “The Shondells.” During this time, a local DJ named Jack Douglas, working at WNIL radio station in Niles, embarked on his own record label venture, Snap Records. The Shondells had the privilege of recording at WNIL Studios under Douglas’ watchful eye.

Among the tracks they recorded was “Hanky Panky,” a delightful creation by Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich, previously recorded by the duo under the name The Raindrops. This song garnered local success but lacked the resources for national promotion, causing it to fade into relative obscurity.

However, fate had other plans. In 1965, a local dance promoter named Bob Mack stumbled upon a copy of “Hanky Panky” in a used record bin and began featuring it in his Pittsburgh dance clubs. The song quickly caught the attention of a bootlegger in the Pittsburgh area, who made copies and slightly accelerated its tempo. The bootleg version swiftly gained traction, with estimated sales of 80,000 copies in just ten days. “Hanky Panky” climbed to the number one spot on Pittsburgh radio stations in early 1966.

The news of the record’s sudden popularity reached Douglas, thanks to his name and contact information appearing on Snap Records labels. James received numerous calls from Pittsburgh, urging him to visit Pennsylvania. There, he met Bob Mack and Chuck Rubin, responsible for talent bookings at Mack’s dance clubs. With “Hanky Panky” gaining momentum and earning recognition from music trade papers like Billboard, Cashbox, and Record World as a regional hit, the trio decided it was time to venture to New York City in pursuit of a record deal.

Their journey took them to various major recording labels, each offering initial potential deals. However, Roulette Records, one of the last stops on their tour, initially provided no response due to the absence of Morris Levy, the label’s head. The following morning, as other labels began politely declining their offers, Jerry Wexler of Atlantic Records revealed the truth. Morris Levy and Roulette Records had claimed ownership of “Hanky Panky” and had effectively scared off all other record companies. The only viable option for James and his associates was to sign with Roulette Records.

As the band had disbanded two years prior, James found himself as the sole remaining Shondell. Bob Mack generously made his dance club bands available to James, although none seemed to align with his musical vision. It was during this time that one of the bands’ guitarists introduced James to the Thunderbird Lounge in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. There, he had the opportunity to perform with the house band, the Raconteurs. This collaboration marked the birth of the new Shondells, and Thomas Gregory Jackson adopted the professional name of Tommy James.

By the third week of June 1966, “Hanky Panky” had ascended to the top of the charts at WLS, a significant achievement. Just one month later, in July 1966, “Hanky Panky” achieved the remarkable feat of becoming the number one single in the United States, solidifying Tommy James and the Shondells’ place in music history.

In February 2018, Tommy James embarked on a new venture as the host of the weekly radio program “Gettin Together with Tommy James” on Sirius XM Radio channel 73, 60s Gold, allowing him to connect with audiences through his enduring passion for music.

Furthermore, James has graced late-night infomercials, offering collections of music from the Woodstock era for Time Life, demonstrating his ongoing influence and resonance in the world of entertainment.