Poll: What is your pick for the COOLEST BASS LINE from a song released in the Rock era? Also, use my code PROFESSOROFROCK to get $5 off your delicious, high protein Magic Spoon cereal by clicking this link: sponsr.is/magicspoon_professorofrock_0524

@Code.Name.V

22 күн бұрын

Spacehog - In The Meantime

@catherine6653

22 күн бұрын

Come Together, The Beatles

@Lam_3-22-23

22 күн бұрын

Papa was a Rolling Stone Dreams

@sweet--richard.4981

22 күн бұрын

Roundabout the late great Chris Squire aka The Fish

@christineml1476

22 күн бұрын

Lou Reed "Walk on the Wild Side"

I used to work with a man who said that Tommy James, who later became a Christian, spoke at his church. James said that later in life, he realized that he should be glad he didn't get that money, because he wasn't old enough to handle it and it would have ruined his life, if not outright killed him.

IMO, Tommy James & The Shondells' "Crystal Blue Persuasion" could not be a more perfect song. Pure genius.

@ProfessorofRock

22 күн бұрын

I agree!

@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980

22 күн бұрын

A classic on a sunny day.

@Au60schild

22 күн бұрын

Yup.

@istankimjong-unbutcantstan3398

22 күн бұрын

CBP is the song I know TJ by!

@odinsson204

22 күн бұрын

The wife’s and I favorite song is Draggin’ the Line.

Why is this man not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame...he is a musical genuis and a great person...love his Sirius show..!

@user-no7lp5sv7k

14 күн бұрын

Being a great person and a God fearing man is why he isn't in the RRHOF.

@earllince5418

13 күн бұрын

@@user-no7lp5sv7k All that aside Tommy has made an incredible contribution to Rock and Roll. You look at some of the two hit bands that are in there and no Tommy James. They have no credibility...!

@itsajahthing

10 күн бұрын

Tommy James was definitely a 'Blue Persuasion'...

As a sixty eight year old boomer I can honestly say Tommy and the Shondells were a really fun part of the backing track of my life. I so happy that in this short bit of the interview he seems happy and content. Take care all.

@juliusfrauenglass2411

19 күн бұрын

Me too , for all the great songs he did for us he deserves peace of mind.

In the early 80's at the Channel in Boston, I saw him, sought his autograph. I got my pen jostled from my hand while he was walking past me in the crowd. TJ stopped, pointed to the pen on the ground, and signed a promo poster for me. I got it to this day...tY TJ for being gracious all these years.

@ProfessorofRock

22 күн бұрын

So cool!

@monicamad1285

22 күн бұрын

Loved the Channel, battle of the bands with BCN 🔥

@Digits-nf9fo

22 күн бұрын

@@monicamad1285 been a while, but wbcn was 104.1, right?

@monicamad1285

22 күн бұрын

@@Digits-nf9fo yes!! They've been off the air for a while now. I said off the air 🤣🤣 I'm showing my age 😂

@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980

22 күн бұрын

Such a nice man.

The Psychedelic ' Crimson and Clover ' had a profound impact on the neuro wiring of my young brain 🧠

@ProfessorofRock

22 күн бұрын

Very cool. Such a groovy song.

@humboldthammer

22 күн бұрын

Over and over i.e. practice makes perfect

@cannonball666

22 күн бұрын

I like the Joan Jett cover better. It's not as hippie dippy trippy.

@marktait2371

22 күн бұрын

​@@cannonball666same concrete blonde also is on a charity comp.performed live club also

@annehenderson2434

22 күн бұрын

My older cousins had a “crash pad” in their parent’s basement, complete with black light posters & bean bag chairs. Crimson & Clover was the soundtrack of that room. The quintessential psychedelic song & experience.

What a great interview with Tommy James 👍🏻 Being 70 years old, that was my youth. Thank so much ❤

@ProfessorofRock

22 күн бұрын

Thanks for watching!

@josephblue4135

22 күн бұрын

Me too. I'm a 70-year-old too. I loved all his hits!

@Hwashburn

22 күн бұрын

Yet another 70- year-old here. I like "Draggin' the Line" well enough, but "Crystal Blue Persuasion" is on my personal Top 5 List as one of the greatest pop-rock songs of all time. And "Tighter and Tighter" ( or "Just a Little Bit Tighter") is on my personal Top 5 List as one of the most criminally underrated pop-rock songs of all time.

@Bigfield47

22 күн бұрын

Draggen the line works. People dance and sing along.

Tommy played a gig at my High School auditorium around ‘75. Screaming Jay Hawkins opened for him.

@ProfessorofRock

22 күн бұрын

Wow! What a memory!

@MultiPetercool

22 күн бұрын

@@ProfessorofRock none of us had ever heard of Screaming Jay before. I was the only exception because my parents had a 45 of I put a spell on you.

@oldmaninshorts1

13 күн бұрын

Wow, that must have been something.

As a kid with older siblings who were teens... I got to hear a lot of music in the 60s. Crimson and Clover was the first record (45) I ever bought with my own money. I still have it.

@ProfessorofRock

22 күн бұрын

Very cool!

@kellymac1212

22 күн бұрын

Same! But, mine were cousins... I said my entire youth that I was the only kid in 1st grade that knew every word to every song by Tommy James and the Shondells. Literally picked THIS band as my example! I did! To their music, and sooooo many others. Such a lucky girl 🥰

@marktait2371

22 күн бұрын

i found the 45 roulette at neighbors moving sale think.draggin is the a side surpised record is g.c. same friends older bros. were 7 and 9 years older than us had the killer 8 tracks and vinlys 60d 70s

@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980

22 күн бұрын

Awesome!

@edryba4867

20 күн бұрын

The retreaded “Draggin’ The Line” is a GREAT record, and so is this video! I was happy to find it. And that “baby back ribs” jingle is ABSOLUTELY A RIPOFF OF DRAGGIN’ THE LINE!

How could you have lived through the late sixties and seventies and not remember Tommy. man I’m talking great songs that just brings the good times back

The interesting thing about Tommy James is that his moniker Tommy James and the Shondells sounds like a throwback to a 50s group. However, he was playing the most freak out psychedelic music of the late 60s.

@ProfessorofRock

22 күн бұрын

Good point. What's your favorite song by him Michael?

@michaelrochester48

22 күн бұрын

@@ProfessorofRock ball of fire, and his solo hit, dragging the line

@dianewilliams1125

22 күн бұрын

I totally agree. I always wondered about that name,just didn't fit with the type of music they played. I was born in 1957 and TJ was a big part of my music history! ❤❤❤

@wilhelmhagberg4897

22 күн бұрын

Is it that psychedelic though? The music has a certain hypnotic, loopy quality, but it’s pretty far from the more far out crazy music of other acts in 67/68.

@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980

22 күн бұрын

It’s ironic and I love it!

"Draggin' the line" is such a good song I still remember hearing it on the radio, as far back as 1972, I believe.

I worked a few years as a telecom lineman and I dragged in a few lines, but never put the song with it. Climbing on a frozen pole will turn you against the job. Glad Tommy was able to get his farm and live there to recover. Glad he never had the mob actually attack him.

@beenaplumber8379

18 күн бұрын

My ex wife was a telecom engineer in TN when we met in the late 80s, and she said the people who dragged the lines were called jug hustlers. Does that sound right?

@therottenrandy

18 күн бұрын

I worked as a lineman in Alberta until I was 25. Never put this song to the job either. -25C at the top of a pole....same job at every pole, I was cold and bored. Decided I wanted an "inside that wasn't the same every day" job and went off to university to become a teacher.

@badgerpa9

18 күн бұрын

@@beenaplumber8379 Never heard that but I was not in Tennessee, everything had a different nick name for every different Bell and GTE territory. We often buried the last part and some that did that the most would be called digger. About the only tool I heard called the same was the nines, seemed it was almost always called the nines.

My friends comment that I know a lot about music. I respond, “I listen to Professor of Rock.”

My little sister used to squeal on me when I was a 12 year old if I Think we’re Alone Now came on. “Don’s listening to that song again!!” As if you could get away from it. She was afraid I’d impregnate the whole state or something. Even at age 12 and younger, without realizing what I was doing, I was studying the music around me. Not knowing why. I loved the bass or guitar sound. I didn’t play yet but I had to ponder why it sounded that way. The dynamics in that song profoundly impacted me. And it made me happy. Thanks, Tommy.

If you lived in the 70’s but don’t remember any of it, you’ll love this channel😎

@ProfessorofRock

22 күн бұрын

Love it!

@Heene1028

22 күн бұрын

😂😂… What?😳

@ProfessorofRock

22 күн бұрын

@@Heene1028 Ha ha!

@GringoLoco1

22 күн бұрын

Brilliant 👊🏻

@humboldthammer

22 күн бұрын

The thing about the 70's was that one had to work to find this much information. Never before RIGHT NOW -- not in the entire history of humanity -- have so many educated people lived so freely and so abundantly. And for just 18 years, we have been connected to this shared, worldwide experience with near-instant communication. It is GUARANTEED to Wake THIS Generation Up! Because the Father knows what you need, before you ask. Draggin' the line.

Being a 62 y.o. boomer, Tommy James & The Shondells didn't come across my music radar until later in life. I was too young to pay attention to them when they were in the spotlight and when I got older and discovered music it was Pink Floyd, Steve Miller, Rush, Fleetwood Mac, etc. As I've gotten older, I've enjoyed 'discovering new old music' from back then. Tommy James certainly wrote and performed some outstanding songs!

When I was an O.T.R. truck driver,this song would amp me up every morning, every time I needed a boost to get my day started. Love the jam, love Tommy.

IMHO, Tommy James is so underrated and overlooked. The 1960s was such a jam-packed decade decade for music. I feel people my age and younger often overlook Tommy James & The Shondell. As a teenager in the 1990s, I was fortunate enough to have 3 of the best friends I could ever hope for. We couldn't get enough of Tommy James & The Shondell and '60s music in general. My friends and I expanded our love of classic acts from the 1970s and beyond, but it all started with Tommy James & The Shondell.

@rejeandurette3471

22 күн бұрын

Underrated and overlooked? I don't think those words apply to an artist that sold over 100 million

@beenaplumber8379

18 күн бұрын

@@rejeandurette3471 Those words mean "I never realized he was so awesome." Nearly every time someone says that on You Tube I think that's what they really mean.

Great interview with Tommy! WOW! I was a teenager then and had no idea about the mob!! That blew me away!! Thank you and to Tommy....."still love ya dude!!!"

@ProfessorofRock

22 күн бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it

@tammylewis2408

22 күн бұрын

Tommy released a book titled, Me, the Mob and the Music, which tells about Morris Levy, who headed Roulette Records, and his mob ties and how Tommy was caught in the middle. Get the book, great read.

Here’s a story you probably haven’t heard. Tommy lived in the same NYC apartment building as the Cowsills. When their father Bud was on one of his violent tirades, the Cowsills would often go hide and hangout in Tommy’s place.

@ogam5

21 күн бұрын

Yep - an EXCELLENT interview it WAS they did with him last (?) year; made ME feel like part of THEIR family, Keith (and I swear Susan looks 30 years younger than she actually is now!) - as my father & I stayed at his favorite hotel in NYC, the Taft - up until our LAST visit, summer of '76.....

I'm not the biggest fan of covers, but R.E.M.'s version of "Draggin' the Line" really captures the Tommy James essence perfectly.

@ProfessorofRock

22 күн бұрын

Agreed. I love them!

@marktait2371

22 күн бұрын

yes that was a bside of a singles comp.i had

@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980

22 күн бұрын

That’s a damn good cover!

Holy hell! Tommy Shondell had far more amazing songs than I ever knew! Great stuff!

@ProfessorofRock

22 күн бұрын

He's a hitmaker for sure!

@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980

22 күн бұрын

Feels great to be a Shondell, huh?

@leonardshevlin7260

20 күн бұрын

His name is Jackson.

I Love Tommy James and the Shondells. I listened to them when I was a kid and am now 66 years old and I love listening to them more than ever. thank you for the great presentation.

I've known Tommy for decades. We did our first tour with him, and Sam the Sham back in 67. We both cut in Allegro Studio's in NY....and man can I relate to getting the "dry shaft" from Laurie Records and our producer. Anyway, Tommy is an awesome talent and all around good guy. He's doing much better now with the book and gigis. Love the guy. Thanks for doing a story on him. God bless ya

@chrisvickers7928

22 күн бұрын

You guys made some good quirky music I enjoyed as a teenager.

@kcash6359

21 күн бұрын

The Red Baron showed compassion to Snoopy at Christmas. Combining warmth with cool ain't easy, but you did it. "Snoopy Let's Wait". Thanks for posting...and everything else from my youth.

@cheryal2809

21 күн бұрын

@@kcash6359 wow! I had that 45, Snoopy and the Red Baron at Christmas. 🎼 "And good willlll to maa aaa aaa aaaaaaann."🎵🎶

@barrywinslow9798

21 күн бұрын

@@cheryal2809 Thanks for all the kind words folks.....it's appreciated deeply. Yep, still love that dog. God bless ya'll

Congrats on the 1 million Subs Professor, you deserve it for your hard work brother.🙌👏🙏

@ProfessorofRock

22 күн бұрын

Thanks a million!

@dsanchez9703

22 күн бұрын

@@ProfessorofRock 😁, 💯!

So glad to see Tommy, and that he is still alive and well. I have always been a fan of Tommy James and the Shondells. At 63 I grew up on all the great music of that era, later massively dug the alternative/punk rock era. I was so very lucky, the rich education of so much great music.

Went to see Tommy James and The Shondells at their show at the Medina Entertainment Center, Medina, MN. Great show!!!! Vocals and Instruments were spot on Perfect!!!! Draggin the Line is one of my all-time favorite tunes. Tommy, Thank you for the come back tour!!!!

I saw Tommy James perform last year in Royal Oak, MI. Incredible!

@ProfessorofRock

22 күн бұрын

What did he open and close with? Just curious!

@danielmarmer679

22 күн бұрын

@@ProfessorofRock He opened with "Draggin' The Line". His encore was "Mirage" with a "Mony Mony" reprise.

@ProfessorofRock

22 күн бұрын

@@danielmarmer679 Awesome!

@AnnaTrail-xp8pr

22 күн бұрын

Thank God these artists are still touring, but they are getting up there in age and unfortunately not much out there to replace them. Glad to enjoy it!

you can never give up. like the great Randy Meisner said. when there is nothing left to believe in put me on a highway and show me a sign and take it to the limit one more time. keep on trying and never lose the dream.wow RIP.

@ProfessorofRock

22 күн бұрын

For sure!

My first three cassette tapes were Deep Purple - Machine Head, Yes - Fragile, and Tommy James and the Shondells - Greatest Hits! Tommy was an unbelievable talent.

@davidme9698

20 күн бұрын

Wow mine were not cassettes but 8 tracks.

@francisseidel8014

20 күн бұрын

@davidme9698 - I had records before this, but I got these three after receiving a cassette player for my birthday.

You always ask what our memory of hearing a song for the first time. I heard this song for the first time yesterday driving around listening to a 60s station because of Professor of Rock. I caught the tree hugging line and wondered if it was the first use of the saying. You are keeping the exploration of music alive. Thank you!

Chili’s should just admit they stole the riff and cords of Dragging The Line and just pay da man! 😮

I remember his songs were EVERYWHERE. I loved them and have never tired of hearing them. He looks absolutely great!! So glad to see he's still alive and kicking! Blessings to you.

I have the honor of talking with Tommy backstage in Saratoga. Then again in Albany. It was nice to see Tommy, his wife and manager praying they're giving thanks to God before the concert in Saratoga. And then when he came out and met me he asked me how the crowd was. Even in his later part of his career he paced with excitement and nervousness to put on a good show. What a great performance he gave. Thank you Tommy

“Tommy James and the Shondells released nine platinum albums and 23 gold singles between 1965 and 1970”. WHAT??? That’s INSANE. And how have I never known that before???

@ProfessorofRock

22 күн бұрын

A lot of people forget! He was a hit making machine!

@SuperMrsbowen

22 күн бұрын

I still don't understand how 9 platinum albums and 23 gold singles adds up to 110 million records though

@ProfessorofRock

22 күн бұрын

@@SuperMrsbowen I saw the same number in the GUARDIAN.

@hamdude2109

22 күн бұрын

Heavy drug use? Just guessing.

@SuperMrsbowen

22 күн бұрын

@@ProfessorofRock I know - I think that's just what Tommy says though :)

Growing up in the '80s, my Mom introduced me to A LOT of artists from the '50s & '60s. For about the first 15 years of hearing it, I thought he was singing "Lemon Meringue"🤔😆

@ProfessorofRock

22 күн бұрын

Ha ha ha!

@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980

22 күн бұрын

Ha!

Child of the 70s here (born in 63). So I remember "dragging the line." And of course, during the 80s, I rediscovered his earlier hits/remakes from Billy Idol, Bananarama, and even reluctantly Tiffany, etc. Just wow, on the baby back ribs, I thought that was going to be the jingle just before ya mentioned it!!! The record industry is so corrupt, and it's amazing how many artists still have not been fully paid for their royalties......

As much as Dragging The Line is a great song, when I think about Tommy James & The Shondells, it's Crimson & Clover that comes to mind. It sounds so cool, so different, so brilliant! That being said, it saddens me to no end when I hear about artists who become victims of the music executives, management teams or even their bandmates. What happened to Tommy James, John Fogerty, Mark Farner, and many others, is terrible. How can Human beings do this to other Human beings!!!

I love Tommy James and the Shondells! I drove to work today with Mony Mony cover by Billy Idol 😊 I hope the Magic Spoon Cereal has prizes in the box.

@ProfessorofRock

22 күн бұрын

They are so great!

@marktait2371

22 күн бұрын

tuesday in the car flipping channels same

@phillipmarlowe0525

22 күн бұрын

It is Mony Mony not money money.

@catherine6653

22 күн бұрын

@@phillipmarlowe0525 I will edit. It was the spell check.

@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980

22 күн бұрын

I am really intrigued about the Magic Spoon Cereal as well. Like, will it give me luck?

I haven't even watched the video yet but I KNOW this is about Tommy James and his dealings with Morris "Hesh Rabkin" Levy. I read his book. Had to go to the folks who printed the paper record labels to figure out how many were shipped. TJ is a legend.

@ProfessorofRock

22 күн бұрын

Hope you enjoy it. YOu're were right on the money!

@oldiesgeek454

22 күн бұрын

I saw him perform in Utah in 2019. Afterwards, he signed both his book and my original album cover of the Shondells greatest hits. I could tell he was a bit surprised to see an original 1970 cover, and not just a reissue. 😊

In 1975 I was the soundman/roadie for a local Long Island band. We used to rent our Hammond organ and PA to Tommy when he played out on Long Island. I was doing the sound for our band when a guy comes up to me and asks if I can put the tremelo into the monitors. It was Tommy. He had a big bushy head of hair. I didn't recognize him.

Tommy hooked me with "Hanky Panky" been a life long fan ever since. Great show, thanks a bunch.💗

Lol, sometimes when I've had a hard day, I say "Yabba Dabba Doo!" when I clock out to go home. 😁

@ProfessorofRock

22 күн бұрын

Ha ha! Very cool!

@humboldthammer

22 күн бұрын

Sometimes, I say, "Hey kids, What time is it?" It's Howdy Doody Time

@LaManteca76

22 күн бұрын

@@humboldthammer 🤣Awesome! I'm going to start saying that as well. 😂

@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980

22 күн бұрын

I still like to sing the Flintstones theme to myself sometimes.

I had no idea what he went through. Wow.

@ProfessorofRock

22 күн бұрын

Amazing eh?

Tommy James is one of those cats who could sit on a bench and write a song about what waz going on around him even if nothing was going on. Extremely gifted.

Tommy's been writing and recording fabulous pop music for many decades.

Being in high school at the time of his hits, I liked them all but "I Think We're Alone Now" and "Crimson and Clover" are awesome and fun songs and my favorites. Tommy seems like a super nice guy. Thanks for the interesting show, again, Prof!!

This gave me goosebumps…. My dad just showed me one of their songs yesterday 😭 Crimson and Clover and I’ve never heard of them until yesterday

@ProfessorofRock

22 күн бұрын

Go check him out!

Tommy was one of my heroes. He lived in Niles Michigan, a short jaunt from here. Great guy and did it on his own. Incredible song writer, listen to him often

As a kid growing up in small town Sask I always loved his music. But as the years went by I slowly forgot about them until you played bits and pieces today. Thanks for the memory and thanks to Tommy James!!

damn they were AWESOME!! There’s no such thing as listin ta too much Tommy James “over & over”

@ProfessorofRock

22 күн бұрын

Amen!

@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980

22 күн бұрын

Yup!

❤🎉 Had a friend see Tommy James over 25 times. Great songs from his catalog. Shame he had to deal with the mob. Music is a funny business. 🤷 Thanks Professor! And yes I do remember Hanna-Barbera. I think.

@sweet--richard.4981

22 күн бұрын

Hendrix and Eric Burdon also affected by the same mob tactics

@ProfessorofRock

22 күн бұрын

Roger! Love it. Have you seen him live?

@ProfessorofRock

22 күн бұрын

@@sweet--richard.4981 True.

@rogerdeahl9629

22 күн бұрын

@@ProfessorofRock Sadly no. But I heard he still does a great show.

@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980

22 күн бұрын

The music business is cruel sometimes.

Draggin The Line was one of my all time favorites from the summer of 1971 and hearing it instantly takes me back. I was just a kid and that year was the first year I had my very own radio and it was truly a revelation.

The year that Chili’s commercial came out, there were a number of other commercial jingles ripping off other songs from that era. I distinctly remember hearing songs by the Association and the Cowsills being borrowed with altered lyrics. It’s hard to believe they got away with it.

nice . I was 15yo in ' 68 . legend , ( Chrystal blue persuasion. )

@ProfessorofRock

22 күн бұрын

It's a new sensation!

Of course his single was divinely inspired just like every single idea anyone has. When I was younger I usually went for the melody & the beat of a song. I did not pay attention to lyrics & even the creators names. I never connected Dragging the Line w/ Tommy James. Thank you for the lesson.

@ProfessorofRock

22 күн бұрын

Thanks for watching!

Anyone else distracted by Adam's Smiths shirt? - when it droops it makes Elvis look like Frankenstein. Thats it.

Awesome episode Professor! Tommy James has always been one of my favorites! Awesome story! Things I never knew about him, and especially awesome you got to interview him!👍

@ProfessorofRock

22 күн бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

I never understood those lyrics. Never woulda guessed that My dog Sam eats purple flowers was what he was saying.

@ProfessorofRock

22 күн бұрын

Ha ha. Pretty funny. Well, we got it straight from him!

@LaManteca76

22 күн бұрын

I never realised he was saying that. I really need to look up lyrics. I always find I'm singing the wrong words, lol.

@fredgroenke2586

22 күн бұрын

That’s why I love this channel!

@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980

22 күн бұрын

Sounds so silly!

A movie about Tommy would be amazing, the story of this fantastic song writer and music creator and the craziness behind the scenes could be a great film. Hug a tree is a culture iconic phrase I never knew it was Tommy's too. To think he mixed this by himself after people liked it. One of the greatest creators of music in my life time. Thanks for this episode, my favorite song by him, great episode

@ProfessorofRock

22 күн бұрын

My understanding is it was in pre production. Not sure what's going on.

@MyName-pl7zn

22 күн бұрын

@@ProfessorofRock really! I would love it!

@AnnaTrail-xp8pr

22 күн бұрын

We grew up in such an amazing time of talent and blessings they can still perform. Once they are gone not a lot out there to replace them unfortunately. My husband and I were talking about it a few days ago. Great movie indeed.

@MyName-pl7zn

22 күн бұрын

@@AnnaTrail-xp8pr best era in music!!

@AnnaTrail-xp8pr

22 күн бұрын

@@MyName-pl7zn Absolutely and glad we got to experience it.

The line “My dog Sam eats purple flowers” always stuck with me as a kid. Still my favorite line in the song.

Love this song for the first moment, I heard it and Professor. This is one of your best interviews and history lesson ever. Thank you so much.

Such a great story Professor!! Need to go back and listen to some Tommy today!🤘🔥

@ProfessorofRock

22 күн бұрын

Please do! He's the man! Thanks Brent. Favorite song?

@brentcox7772

22 күн бұрын

“Dragging the Line”!!🤘🔥

Crystal Blue Persuasion pretty much exemplify the psychedelic mood of the late 60’s and early 70’s. My personal favorite TJ song. Although Draggin’ and Crimson are great also.

@ProfessorofRock

22 күн бұрын

That's my favorite too!

@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980

22 күн бұрын

Yup, mine too.

@marksink1652

20 күн бұрын

The only time I ever traded vinyl records.. it was Draggin the Line for Crystal Blue Persuasion. Yep.

Thank you for interviewing Tommy, he’s an amazing artist. Your interviews are the best!

Adam, are you somehow peeking at my setlist? That's so cool, we just added draggin the line a couple months ago, that's the third song this week you have featured....thanks for the insight into Tommy James, your perspective is very much appreciated

Roulette Records put out some great hits.

@ProfessorofRock

22 күн бұрын

Yes they did!

@fredgroenke2586

22 күн бұрын

Are you referring to music or murders?

Crimson and Clover is one of those songs that just spirits me away to the time I first heard it. Wonderful creative music … all Tommy’s tracks.

@ProfessorofRock

22 күн бұрын

For sure!

@marktait2371

22 күн бұрын

concrete blonde best cover one of the highlights club show

@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980

22 күн бұрын

It’s otherworldly!

I was in the audience of that Birmingham Shower of Stars concert and what i remember about Tommy James was that his blue eyes could be seen from 10th row back. I didn't know about his NDE until much much later. He was a great performer to my young teenaged mind! Great story.

In 1969 Crimson & Clover was part of a 'Now Sounds' in-flight program I was listening to on head phones in a DC-8. It blew my mind so I bought the single, and the album, and became a #1 Tommy James fan. From 1969 to 71 when Draggin The Line went up the Top 40 I probably listened to TJ albums more than I did the Beatles. Christian Of The World is still a favorite.

I'm trying to think but only a few come to mind, where an artist had so many big hits that also became big hits for other artists

@ProfessorofRock

22 күн бұрын

Right! He had two #1 hits alone in 87, one replaced the other at #1!

@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980

22 күн бұрын

He made a big accomplishment.

Crazy to me that despite missing out on millions of royalties he still embraces Roulette. And yes they definitely stole that jingle!

@ProfessorofRock

22 күн бұрын

They owe him some serious cash.

@sandrasanders706

22 күн бұрын

​@@ProfessorofRockThis was a great video! Is there any way Tommy could get at least some of the money back?

@maryarnold1426

22 күн бұрын

Wow! I never knew any of that. The music business certainly chewed up and spit out these talented young people. I’m thankful to have had Tommy’s music to “decorate my life” as I was growing up. I didn’t realize how prolific he was until you did this episode. It must feel good for him to share his story with you, especially knowing that you have over one million people who will know the truth now. I’m thankful for your life, Professor.

TJ did such great songs. They hold up today!.. Hey Professor, how about Paul Revere and the Raiders? They had almost as many hits as TJ&TS. Gotta interview Mark Lyndsay while he's still with us!!

@ProfessorofRock

22 күн бұрын

Sounds good. I covered Paul once here!

I fell in love with the music of Tommy James and the Shondells after being introduced to it through my older cousins! Although I never knew that REM did a cover of Dragging the Line, Billy Idol's version of Mony, Mony, and Tiffany's rendition of I Think We're Alone Now, were amazing!

I remember hearing this song on a radio as a kid and did like it a lot. Crystal Blue was my favorite of theirs though

@ProfessorofRock

22 күн бұрын

Same here. One of my favorites from the 60s

@thetitleisours1

22 күн бұрын

@@ProfessorofRock Amazing how something in music can reach you on different emotional levels

@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980

22 күн бұрын

That’s mine too. A feel good song.

Just so that you may know, a 'dragline' is a shovel and 'dragging the line' is the work of shoveling something - dirt, asphalt, whatever.

@ProfessorofRock

22 күн бұрын

Going off what was said in his biography

@cliffordterry2133

22 күн бұрын

@@ProfessorofRock Right, I understand and am not criticizing. I am just speaking from the knowledge of my own experiences from that very same time.

@kevinharms5158

22 күн бұрын

Dragging a line or dragging the line has different meanings in every business

@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980

22 күн бұрын

Wow!

Crystal Blue Persuasion is on the ‘bucket 10’ list that has been placed in my wife’s hands if and when a celebration of life service is needed. I’ve surfed on 3 different continents and that song captures the magic of early morning waves and at dusk..simply beautiful….thank you for show casing TJ.

Another amazing interview Professor!! Your ability to score these fantastic talks with such legends, and how eclectic in the music genres they've been,is simply astounding! Thank you for this one! Listen to how good of a vocalist Tommy was,and songwriting equally as good. I respect people like him from such a creative ,beautiful era of music. 😊❤

Hard to pick Tommy's best song but I lean towards Mony Mony. I like I Think We're Alone Now but I prefer Tiffany's version.

@ProfessorofRock

22 күн бұрын

Thanks!

This is why I love your channel Adam. I was in elementary school in the late 60s, early 70s and loved Tommy and the Shondells but had no idea that Tommy had a solo career. But as each song came on, I said oh, yeah! and was able to sing every line lol.

One of the great things about your channel is that you make us listen to songs from our past with new ears. I was a kid in the 60s and 70s so of course i knew of TJ and the S, and knew all the songs you just talked about. However, they were just kind of part of the soundtrack of those years to me. Thaanks to you i have now REA,LLY listened to them again and realized how great they are! Thank you!

Back in the Saddle Again Naturally

Luuuuv the Shirt

Crimson and Clover was the first record (45) I ever bought. I would sing the chorus while flipping my finger over (and over) my lips as I sang the words, "Crimson and Clover, over and over..." to get the tremolo effect. Lol. Kids.

As someone who has been described with it for most of my life, I love hearing about the possible origins of "tree hugger". Thanks, Adam!

Didn't realize he had 23 gold, that's incredible !!! I don't remember him ever having a bad song though !! ICON !! Crystal Blue Persuasion, i ny eyes was spiritual, as in Empath. Wonderful to see and listening to the Great Tommy James 👍!!!!

Por. I love these stories. Keep them coming.

So many great hits that have survived the test of time! Can't stop a well crafted, well performed song!

With "Crimson and Clover" and "Crystal Blue Persuasion", "Sweet Cherry Wine" was always a favorite. "Oh, yeah, yesterday my friends were marching out to war. Oh, yeah, listen now, we ain't a-marching anymore. No, we ain't gonna fight, only God has the right, To decide who's to live and die.. I was a big anti-Vietnam war advocate, and those lyrics hooked me

I will say that he is one of my favorite artists you have interviewed...love hearing him talk about everything.

When I was about 7 years old, one day my father took me with him while he ran errands. We stopped at a mob bar in Cicero and the bartender poured me a kiddie cocktail and gave me a handful of dimes for the jukebox. I played Hanky Panky ten times in a row lol. True story although I didn't know it was a mob bar at the time.

Back in the summer of 1989 I had a job as a pyrotechnition. Coolest job ever! Traveling the country setting up and blowing off fireworks for major events. We did a show in Denver at the Mile High Stadium and Tommy James and the Shondels were one of the acts. I was backstage and up close and they were awesome! Later in the evening I met him at the bar in the hotel and drank with him. He was super nice and he told me and my friends stories about touring. I'll never forget that.

We loved his concert with Peter Noone (Herman’s Hermits) in San Antonio, Texas a few years ago. My son was the only child at the show. Tommy later wrote a quick note for my son on his Facebook page that he should continue playing guitar. My son was about 12 years old at the time. My son now occasionally leads for the worship band at our church. He still remembers Tommy’s encouraging words and is one of his favorite artists (and on his way to having his own guitar collection).

When I was a kid, I always heard it as "End of the line". The story is very interesting, and somewhat terrifying.

@ProfessorofRock

22 күн бұрын

Right?

@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980

22 күн бұрын

Wow, that is dark.

This song is another that is a perfect song. It brings back memories of sitting in the dark by one of the speakers of the console stereo I actually won at the Blackfoot Fair!! I was in Elementary School & back then one could put your name in the box at any age & win prizes and coupons for dollars off of any product from a furniture store. The stereo had red cloth behind the speakers & was pretty!! Great show! 🤠

I had forgotten their/his songs... after listening to your post... their/his songs are back on my regular play list... thanks Doc

Draggin the Line was on one of our K-tel albums in the early 70's and I remember it being one of the more creative tunes on the disc that also made me feel good and had me singing along from the first play - Tommy James is awesome - what a fabulous catalogue! Great to see and hear him - thanks Prof :)

I literally played this song for my son yesterday for the first time talking about how cool the 70s music was😮