Teen FORGOT LYRICS of Cover Song During Session-So MADE UP His Own…Became a SMASH!-Professor of Rock

[@ProfessorofRock]

Poll: STRAIGHT UP-What is your pick for the GREATEST ROCK SONG of the 60s?

[@peterd.9978]

Road House Blues

[@TerrickTerran]

Surfing USA

[@christineml1476]

"Time of the Season" Zombies

[@jimkanellakos4699]

Born to be wild

[@perspectivewithmikeb]

Wow…that’s a crazy question! Right now…My Generation by the Who says so much in such a short period of time and inspired society’s punks for decades

[@DC8091]

Tommy and his influence are criminally underrated! Crimson & Clover, Crystal Blue, I Think Were Alone, Mony etc. That’s a damn elite catalog!

[@ProfessorofRock]

No kidding!

[@ragnarokxg2113]

So many of their songs were covered in the 80s and it is criminal that many people did not know that.

[@janmoline]

I LOVE Crimson and Clover, among the others, but that's my favorite!

[@littlecatfeet9064]

@@ragnarokxg2113I was going to say covers of him made careers for many 80s artists.

[@LeslieGMN]

Tommy first got famous on the Indiana shore, playing open-air dance pavilions packed with double their legal capacity. Eat your heart out, Donald!

[@christineml1476]

He's a music legend yet comes across as a nice guy; what a great storyteller.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks Christine!

[@k3n77]

Absolutely true 👍

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

I love how he is so candid.

[@commentfreely5443]

it went number one in about 6 square blocks

[@suburban60sKid]

When Tommy decided to write his story about his music, he told his collaborator how he started out, etc., but when he got to the part about the characters surrounding Roulette Records, his co-writer or whatever you call them, pushed Tommy to do more of a "tell-all" about all the mob stories as well. Tommy had to wait until all the dangerous people he wanted to name had died, or he'd be next. His book is "Me, the Mob, and the Music: One Helluva Ride" and I gotta tell you, I couldn't put it down. It's a quick read too.

[@Brunoburningbright]

Tommy James is as down to earth as it gets. Some months ago (perhaps on an earlier podcast of yours) I heard him speak with genuine affection for this guy who ripped him off, speaking of how he missed him after he passed away. It speaks to the essential humanity at his core. What a rich spirit.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Cool!

[@missterri4116]

3 groups that should be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 1. Tommy James and the Shondells 2. The Turtles 3. The Association

[@tommytomtom5531]

Johnny Rivers !

[@mcbeer56]

Three Dog Night

[@tommytomtom5531]

@@mcbeer56 yes. they sold more record than anyone in the 1970s

[@marcusbah]

Jethro Tull

[@michaelharrington75]

Yep, and I can think of several more. Love the turtles. Howard Kaylan had one of the best voices of all those 60's bands.

[@jameswoodruff7182]

When I see Tommy’s interviews, he seems like someone I would like to hang out with. So down to earth and appreciative of what he has.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Agreed!

[@David99123]

Dragging the line

[@FredGroenke55]

How many times have we been watching a POR interview and the interviewee says “wow, you’ve done your homework” or something similar? Adam, you’re the best and have earned deserve all the success that you have been blessed with. Thanks for the channel.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thank you Fred!

[@AnnaTrail-xp8pr]

@@FredGroenke55 been many times.

[@kingofallwhites]

If you want to watch the exact opposite watch that clown in Florida

[@blebhan8213]

Thank God for Google and Wikipedia

[@lukequigley121]

YEAH, The Prof "brings it all"

[@rojohe]

Tommy James is the artist you wish all artists would be - humble, genuine, and a deep love for his art.

[@thomasbest8599]

...and easy to take advantage of

[@perspectivewithmikeb]

You have done such a great job of elevating these important artists from the day that otherwise would be forgotten! Keep Reminding us

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks!

[@grottorabbit]

According to IMDb _Me, The Mob and The Music_ is ✌️In Development✌️as a movie, but it appears to be in limbo. Hopefully it sees the light of day!

[@RealBkay45]

I just saw Tommy James and the Shondells about a month ago. The show was fantastic! He's still in full voice and connected with the audience beautifully! As you can see, he tells a great story. He shared the Roulette story with the crowd.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Very cool!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Where at?

[@janhofschulte6229]

I wanted to see them in Clear Lake, Iowa a month ago but I couldn’t make it work out with my other plans! I have loved their songs since I was a little girl!

[@ToniHunterOne]

I was 8 when Hanky Panky hit our little AM transistors. My older sister got me away from my Mom's Big Band and my dad's Country Western; she was 4 years older than I. I remember singing this song and of course the Beatles "She Loves Me" and every other repetitive song that I heard. Cheers.

[@deantoso5376]

Tommy James is not only a great musical artist but a really good person. Met him in the elevator of a hotel we were in and talked for a couple on minutes. That night we were at his show and he acknowledged me and asked me to stay after. Got to spend a couple hours with him after the show having a beer and talking music. Amazing guy.

[@s1nd3r3llee]

Great for you! ❤

[@herbridenour5100]

Tommy is from Niles, Mi., I'm from Marshall. Mi. I come from a family that had ties to some musical phenoms of the 50s, 60s and 70s. Before the ancestral home burned to the ground, it was a depository of musical history. My dad, after quite an illustrious Navy sitnt in WW11 and Korea, was assigned as security for USO shows while in the reserves before his discharge. Among others, he did security for Les Paul/ Mary Ford in Chicago mostly. He and mom became friends with "uncle Lester and Miss Mary". they were welcome friends at our home. I was very young and had no idea who these folks were, just uncle Lester and Miss Mary to me. These folks always brought some of their friends when they would visit. My dad had a 16 track reel-to reel and a killer(for the time) sound system in the room above the garage, where these guests would invariably end up until the wee hours of the night. One picture that hung on his wall, I was sitting on a guy's lap and he's helping me play a cheap guitar, I was about 4. That guy was Les Paul. I another, I'm sitting on another guy's lap singing into his mic. That guy was Tommy James. Good times.wish I still had those boxes and boxes of reel to reel tapes. literally hundreds of hours of what today would be called bootlegs... think of what might have been on them. Rem Wall and the green valley boys- sunday tv show on channel 3, regulars at our home, Tommy, Uncle Les and Miss Mary,

[@mariehernandez5878]

Hi, from Niles, Michigan!

[@pb7379-j2k]

I’m from Hillsdale but years later made a good friend from Niles who had great stories about Tommy!

[@koobs4549]

And I just learned from another professor of rock video, that Les Paul was Steve Miller’s godfather & taught him guitar how cool is that?

[@hankgonzalez6074]

I was born in 65 and I was referred to as “Hanky Panky” by my family members. I still get that from some of my older relatives some 59 years later. Love it!!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

That’s so cute honestly.

[@tedecker3792]

I graduated high school in 65 also, but was a lot less mature than Tommy. His own band at 15? I was still riding a bike and dreaming of hot rods.

[@tedecker3792]

@@floatpool8307 ape hangers on the big wheel?

[@carmenhardy2629]

@@tedecker3792 At that age I still just wanted to be Party Doll.

[@bcaye]

Way better than Mr. Hanky.

[@catbutte4770]

"You really did your homework!" I always get a kick when, during the interview, the musician is shocked with the info that the Professor knows about the artist.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks!

[@suburban60sKid]

Adam has a great staff and contributors who help him as well.

[@catbutte4770]

@@suburban60sKid True!

[@rogertemple7193]

I've heard several of the songs by Tommy James and the Shondells but Hanky Panky was one of the songs i heard on AM radio many times along with Crimson and Clover. Thanks for the memories of classic rock and roll and keeping them alive thank you Professor. 🎶🎤🎸🎸🎹🥁🎶

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks Roger!

[@rogerdeahl9629]

❤🎉 I had a friend who saw Tommy James over 30 times (he had the pictures to prove it). Still awesome he had 2 # 1s in the 80s thanks to Billy Idol and Tiffany. And still boggles my mind the mob owned his label and stiffed him all those years! Thanks Professor. I spy the Ray Charles album in the back..... one of my favorite artists!

[@ProfessorofRock]

He has one of the great stories of rock. Love Ray. My dad loved him too!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Ray Charles just had his 94th birthday in heaven.

[@cjmacq-vg8um]

"hanky panky" is what's known as a "gitchy" song. i gew up, preteens, in the 60s and this was one of those songs that i liked less as i grew older. always liked the tommy james' "crimson and clover" period better. then in the 80s me and my buds used to frequent a bar in the "brookside" district of kcmo called "charlie hooper's" and they had this song on their juke box. the song was played about 10-20 times a night and THIS is when i really fell in love with this silly, simple but catchy little song. it was like i never actually heard the song before. for me, its the guitar groove that really so appealing. btw, i had a similar experience with johnny rivers' rendition of "memphis tennessee." thanks a lot to YT in the last 30 years i've rediscovered quite a few songs i didn't used to like. and found many older songs i like but never heard before. the music available on YT is the best thing about YT! thanks tommy and johnny and all the rest for a life time of great music.

[@NordicDan]

"You did your homework!" There it is 🤣

[@ProfessorofRock]

Ha ha!

[@archivist17]

When he said "I'll keep it short" I said "Aww". Tommy is a natural storyteller, a great singer, and seems to be a nice guy on top of all that. I could listen to him all day.

[@Dallin456]

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!

[@MuzixMaker]

Cool story, what a great memory for you!

[@MarkBarrack]

Nice

[@MrCcoachman]

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!

[@surlechapeau]

Great story!! Jeff Barry also wrote "Sugar Sugar"(Archies) with Andy Kim and "I Honestly Love You" (Olivia Newton-John) with Peter Allen.

[@ProfessorofRock]

That's right!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

I knew that!

[@wsteelecpj]

I love finding out about all the amazing songwriters who had so many hits with so many different artists. If you are looking for an idea for a new series or feature, you should think about highlighting those writers and musicians who had such an impact on our lives and never had their names in lights.

[@festivelady826]

OMG! I LOVE Tommy James! Every song he sang is woven in the tapestry of my life. "Hanky Panky" was the only song played at the skating rink when everybody got out and skated. When I was in high school, "Mony, Mony", "Crimson and Clover", "Crystal Blue Persuasion" were all my favorite songs. He is truly the only artist whose every song I loved. He looks wonderful and I'm so glad he's still rocking his long hair! LOVED the stories!

[@KarenHickey-p4c]

Love Tommy James. I’m from South Bend, IN. Just south of Niles where Tommy is from. He and the Shondells played at a backyard party in South Bend back in the 60s that I was invited to. What a wonderful time. Thanks for the great interview. 20:02

[@depsny]

I met Tommy in Denver back in 89. It was Father's day at mile high stadium. We did the fireworks for his show. Partied that night in the bar and he was super cool and down to earth.

[@SmartMoufShirts]

"The has bin"! That's so awesome! Some of the people I have held up as mythological gods and goddesses of my childhood and youth have turned out to be just the coolest, most normal human beings I've ever seen. Thanks to you, Adam, I feel like I finally kow the people behind the myths - and they are amazing people!

[@thetitleisours1]

I like it when you say "They made him an offer he couldn't refuse", referring to the mob owned record label lol

[@ProfessorofRock]

Ha! The Godfather!

[@FredGroenke55]

I liked the horse’s head reference as well.

[@thetitleisours1]

@@ProfessorofRock Haha! That was perfect POR :)

[@thetitleisours1]

@@FredGroenke55 Haha!

[@cherylreichardt]

Loved this interview! Imagine a kid singing My baby does the hanky panky 😂Really fun music!'

[@ProfessorofRock]

Ha ha! Thanks!

[@ellenstewartbowman3898]

Love your music Tommy. It is the best

[@transientresponse8078]

Another great interview Adam. Tommy looks absolutely fantastic for his 77 years.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks!

[@ragnarokxg2113]

I grew up on Tommy James and the Shondells. I still remember as a kid asking my mom why Tiffany was singing their song.

[@ProfessorofRock]

So cool!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

And Weird Al too!

[@FrizleFry00]

Thanks for my daily dose of Rock N Roll history, Adam!

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks for listening

[@suburban60sKid]

One thing I don't believe Tommy mentioned was had they been signed to RCA, Columbia/Epic/CBS, Atlantic, or any other major label, they'd have gotten lost in the shuffle with all the other artists. This is common: Aretha was originally on Columbia, but they marketed her as a gospel artist. When Atlantic signed her, they wisely went full-tilt R&B/Pop with her and the rest is history. Many of the TJ&TS songs were less than what most labels would have supported, but Mr. Levy and his staff had the wherewithal to focus on the boys as they were Roulette's "goose that laid the golden egg". It was a double-edged sword though because they weren't getting paid unless Tommy went to "Daddy Morris" for a few bucks for the band. It was like groveling in front of your dad to borrow the car keys when you were a teenager. At least the band finally got the royalties due them later in life. Many artists never got that blessing.

[@2009kygal]

Tommy James and the Shondells still perform, and they're still amazing!

[@donnaj9769]

Loved Tommy James & the Shondells! I danced to Crimson & Clover & Hanky Panky in high school in the 70’s. We were blessed with an over abundance of great music!!!

[@jameslaupan6499]

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

[@suburban60sKid]

Adam has a great staff and contributors who help as well.

[@necwwrestling]

Phenomenal artist and career. Why he's not in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is a head scratcher.

[@ProfessorofRock]

No joke!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

He’s not in there? (gasps)

[@fivestring65ify]

I remember seeing James perform when I was a young child. It made a big impression on me. This guy is so underrated. What a legend.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Yes he is!

[@thomasbenson523]

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame won’t let Tommy in. Dude’s been the trenches for 60 years. The Ramones were around long enough for a cup of coffee and they’re in. Difference is Tommy and Rick Derringer (Hang on Sloopy) invented garage band junk. I say that as a compliment, not an insult. They have real careers.

[@Frankie5Angels150]

I had no idea Rick Derringer (Zherringer) and his brother were also in The McCoys! Of course his solo one hit wonder was “Rock n Roll Hootchie Coo”. I met him backstage at the Dallas guitar show and did not recognize him. I didn’t recognize the other guy he was with either, and that was Paul Reed Smith of PRS guitars. Some years later, Derringer was playing at the nightclub of the same hotel as my high school reunion, so I went to see him. I reminded him of the Dallas Guitar show meeting and he joked “Yeah, I remember. Are you stalking me?” I said “In order to do that I’d kind of have to know who you are!” He laughed and said “I’ll tell Paul Reed that he’s safe too!” Really nice guy!

[@thomasbenson523]

@@Frankie5Angels150 Not to mention Rick’s work with Edgar Winter. Artists like Tommy and Rick were inventing the sounds as the went along. They had no template. They made music for kids to listen to on cheap transistor radios. Can’t get more real and punk than that

[@etteolson]

2024 and Cher is just getting in.

[@larscjacobsen1]

Um, the Ramones released over a dozen albums of original songs and toured together for 20+ years.

[@dagmar.6954]

Tommy James & The Shondells were a great pop rock/psychedelic rock band from the 60's. They had a lot of great hits such as "Crystal Blue Persuasion", "I Think We're Alone Now", "Mirage", "Mony Mony", "Sweet Cherry Wine", "Ball Of Fire", "Do Something To Me" etc. When Tommy went solo in the 70's he had a couple of hits "Draggin' The Line" & "Three Times In Love".

[@ProfessorofRock]

Amen! Sold 100 million records!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Draggin’ the Line! So catchy

[@thejackal007]

Great story! Also, thanks for reminding me of how much fun California Sun is... hadn't heard that song in ages!

[@rich56ca]

One of the great pop bands of all time. Their songs are still heard constantly in movies, TV etc. Hall of famers for sure.

[@ProfessorofRock]

For sure!

[@77barrymac]

Really good interview. I read the book a couple or three years ago. As I recall, it wasn't one of the longer rock bios I've ever read (maybe 250 pages?), but when combining the stories of Tommy AND the label behind him, it's certainly one of the more interesting rock bios I've ever read.

[@BaddogSports]

Love Tommy James. If there is a decade I wish I could’ve experienced, it would be the 60’s, no doubt!

[@ProfessorofRock]

Best decade of rock in my opinion. the Beatles, Stones, Dylan, The Beach Boys, The animals, The Supremes, The Byrds... Motown etc...

[@BaddogSports]

@@ProfessorofRock It was pretty awesome! The Temps, The Zombies, The Kinks, The Turtles, The Association, The Who, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jefferson Airplane, Johnny Rivers etc etc. Pretty amazing decade of music!

[@LazyIRanch]

I want to see a movie made from his book, how cool would that be now that the scary mobsters of Roulette are no longer any threat? I think it would be a fascinating and fun film IF Tommy James is given lots of input and control over the project. The man is a legend, and very sharp.

[@MarkBarrack]

​@@ProfessorofRockagreed

[@moose354]

Adam, thanks for sharing the Tommy James story. He is one of the greatest American rock and rock acts ever and his music will live on forever.

[@OHLeftyKnifeGuy]

He seems like a real dude. That is refreshing to see, with all of the trainwrecks we have for 'celebrities' today.

[@Bill-Rocker]

Great song and a Great story, with a GREAT artist ! When I was a wee lad I thought Tommy and the Shondells ruled ! I remember mowing the grass and singing those hits at the top of my lungs. A true talent we were lucky to have . Thanks for the story !

[@TerrickTerran]

Tommy James...barely knew him before this channel but I really love his music now.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Very cool! Thanks Terrick!

[@AnnaTrail-xp8pr]

@@TerrickTerran His music was all over the radio back in the day, but not sure your age? Good music

[@TerrickTerran]

@@AnnaTrail-xp8pr I really didn't listen to the radio much. I heard Crimson and Clover a lot when I'd buy 60s comp CDs. Still one of my great pleasures nowadays is finding the artists I missed and enjoying many great songs.

[@AnnaTrail-xp8pr]

@@TerrickTerran My dad always had the radio on. Back then they also didn't always say who the artists were

[@TerrickTerran]

@@AnnaTrail-xp8pr Yeah I didn't always catch artists names on TV either so I often knew songs without knowing who sang them.

[@DJarry394]

Forgotten? The Cramps did a cover of Hanky Panky. The punks loved these kinds of “novelty songs”. I remember when we visited SoCal summer of 66…reminds me of walking to the beach with that blasting from our portable radio. Wild Thing, Beatles’ Rain and Paperback Writer, Jr Walker’s Shot Gun…

[@1Drafter1]

The Tommy James "Hanky Panky" story is legend here in Pittsburgh.

[@spacefunk77]

Who was the DJ?

[@JLajos]

@@spacefunk77 Bob Mack (Robert McConnell), apparently. I have lived in Pittsburgh for the past 40 years, and have heard about Porky Chedwick, but somehow had not heard about Bob Mack and Mad Mike (Metrovich). I am sure, @1Drafter1 and others who lived here at the time will chime in with more info. And I didn't know the Pittsburgh connection for Tommy James and "Hanky Panky" - Thanks, Professor, for this very cool video!

[@Beatle849]

I remember hearing it on the local dance show that was on TV in Pittsburgh. Pretty sure a local DJ did the show and announced it was a new song that just broke there. I thought immediately it was great and that Tommy James was from Pittsburgh.

[@davidschecter5247]

Tommy has been writing and performing superb pop/rock music his entire adult life. He did NOT stop in the 1960s and early '70s, and I like his later albums including his most recent ones as much or more than the ones he's most famous for. Amazing melodic songwriter.

[@jen_alanfromchicago53]

Adam, as a long time watcher and longer WDRV listner in Chicago, welcome to the neighborhood, cant wait for the weekend. I'm sure your fanbase will be interested. Janda has a 'Behind The Song' channel, she's very knowledgeable on these subjects also. Anyway, congrats 🎉

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks!

[@dannythomas6194]

My memories... I was young and riding around with my cousin in his truck with a reverberatey on his radio and it's the one CLEAR song I remember. I'm now 65.

[@areneesouder]

I love Tommy James! After all these years, either everything stops while I enjoy,or I'm movin' and jammin' to it, and always on my various playlists. 💜😎✌️👍💃💜

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks!

[@davidleonhardt5907]

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.

[@Huscar80]

Heck of an interview. I got kicked out of my elementary school lunch room for jumping on the table and screaming this song. I think that was in '89 or 3rd grade.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks for sharing!

[@oldiesgeek454]

😅👍

[@HungryH1951]

Man do I ever remember this song! The summer of 1966, I was just out of the 8th grade. Hanky Panky caught my attention right away mostly because the guitar in that song. I have always been a guitar person and songs that were heavy on guitar licks drew me in. This song was big all summer long, it was a very good summer for me, one of the best. There were some other really big hit songs in 1966 and Hanky Panky was right up there with them. Tommy James & Shondells became one of the bands I really loved from that era. Other hits they had like I Think We're Alone Now and Mirage were also huge and quite unique. Tommy James is a really talented writer, singer and performer. A real star.

[@DC8091]

Awesome shirt Prof!!! Heh I forgot all about the Miami Vice Soundtrack you have showing! I wore that tape out in 1980 & 5 🤘

[@ProfessorofRock]

Great soundtrack for sure. What's you favorite song off of it?

[@DC8091]

@@ProfessorofRock at the time, it was the Vice rap song, nowadays it’s gotta be Smugglers Blues

[@neoblakkrstal9865]

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.

[@jimkanellakos4699]

Hanky Panky was widely overlooked by the late 70s and into the 80s. There were so many rock, pop and disco hits that 60s music generally was put by the wayside and got little radio play in bigger cities by the 80s.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Interesting.

[@miked602]

So far, I've liked every one of these videos. When my wife sees that I'm watching one, she stops what she's doing and watches with me. Great subjects. Great material. Great music. Great videos. Thank you Professor of Rock.

[@neilperry2224]

I had the Miami Vice soundtrack album in the background. OMG, l'm old !!!!

[@johnsmith1996]

I have it too! Awesome music from a great TV show.

[@TerrickTerran]

never old, just experienced with great music. 😆

[@ProfessorofRock]

Where'd my response go?

[@DonitaSilk]

There were a lot of songs that I heard back when they came out because my older brothers listened to them. This is one of them! So, not only do I get to hear a great song, I also get to go through some of my great memories with my brothers! Love it! 💕

[@cinmar720]

I had 2 older sisters and my music memories go way back.

[@danielmarmer679]

I was just driving through Niles, MI yesterday and there is still a record store on the main strip.

[@ProfessorofRock]

DO you remember the name of it?

[@oldiesgeek454]

It's called Earworm Records.

[@danielmarmer679]

@@ProfessorofRock Rumor Records on Main St.

[@troubledsole9104]

Excellent Interview!

[@kingmrfone5604]

Always liked Tommy James.I can't keep up with all the songs you have discussed,but I was listening to the debut album by The Cars and still get wowed by All Mixed Up. Didn't know if you did a show on that.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks@

[@MyName-pl7zn]

Loved this interview!! Tommy helped shape the music of the 60s and beyond, groups still rerecord his music trying to capture the magic of his originals. Tommy's mob voice is stellar! I have got to read his book, fascinating truths. Fantastic episode professor!

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks My Name!

[@marktait2371]

i recall seeing a review of his book several months back in uncut many covers over the years best one is concrete blonde crystal blue they included in a club show several years back studio version is on a charity comp. forget which

[@MyName-pl7zn]

@@marktait2371 I have to check that out, thank you

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

This song still slaps!

[@MyName-pl7zn]

@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 agree! Amazing he was 15 and made it rock

[@waynevia6976]

Tommy James and the shondells is one of my favorite groups.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Great guy! Thanks Wayne!

[@grene1955]

Great songwriter and singer, great songs, great story and a great book!

[@captainape6807]

That label should have been called Godfather Records.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Right!

[@Burgoyne1777]

I'm from Montreal and my wife was born in Niles....and I know a guy who ran a club in NJ for Genovese. Talk about coincidences!!! Amazing interview! I'm gonna buy his book for my wife's birthday!!!

[@richardranke3158]

I remember this song was one of the most popular songs of 1966.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Indeed it was!

[@DublinMarge]

Great Video, Adam. I love the recording of Hanky Panky. The rawness adds to the authenticity and date-stamps the song. Reminds me of young music geeks in a garage band. Love it.

[@elizabethorsillo7187]

How odd…I’m from the Pittsburgh area and I will be traveling to the Niles, Michigan area this weekend!

[@ProfessorofRock]

Very cool!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Awesome!

[@philkane4390]

Another great story! Thanks Adam

[@Out_of_My_Head]

“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.

[@Frankie5Angels150]

How did they get screwed by the mob?

[@Out_of_My_Head]

@@Frankie5Angels150 Tommy James was screwed by the mob because it took decades before he made any money off of touring and recording his music. It was a mob boss who was his manager who didn't pay him a dime for anything. I'm not saying that Billy Joel got screwed by the mob. I'm musing as to whether Billy Joel's first manager and label were part of the mob because Billy Joel has said that made hardly any money off of his music before his album Stormfront. (That I heard him say in an interview while that album was big). He said that he had to pay the company and manager that recorded Cold Spring Harbor (his first album) exorbitant royalties off everything he made up to just before Stormfront. His brother in law accountant (Christie Brinkley's brother) also stole money from him and he had to sue him for embezzlement.

[@michaeleasterwood6558]

I remember this being played on CKLW, the top 40 am station of the mid 60s in Cleveland

[@ProfessorofRock]

Very cool!

[@lisamh9037]

We could hear CKLW on a clear day in Cleveland, but it was a Detroit radio station. Actually it served Detroit but was in Windsor Ontario! WIXY 1260 was the main AM rock n roll station in Cleveland. But we were excited when we could also get CKLW!

[@drummermanrick]

Hanky Panky was my sister Angie's favorite song. Angie was born with Downs Syndrome, but she loved Hanky Panky and would play it on her record player constantly. One day we visited my grandmother, and while there we went to her church on a Sunday morning. The denomination for my grandmother's church was a Church of God, one of the more strict Christian religions that particularly cast a frowning eye on rock n roll. The church service got underway with the choir singing some of the older gospel tunes, and when they finished, the choir director turned and shouted out to the congregation, "Are there any requests?" My sister Angie stood up and shouted back "Sing Hanky Panky!" My mom's face turned red with embarrassment, but it soon became a story that we would repeat over the years, always bringing a joyful laugh to whoever the story was told to.

[@ronl7131]

Some great guitar riffs, early on. Raunchy~low. Kingsmen~Louie, Louie. Link Wray~Rumble. Kinks-You Really Got Me….many more

[@ProfessorofRock]

YEs indeed! Good call!

[@zennfrenz8059]

!! This is one great childhood memory of mine. I was born in Pgh, Pa 1966. I grew up with this song. The teenage counselors of summer camp, Camp Kon-o-kwee, taught us to sing ,' My Baby Does The Hanky Panky' , while on the camp bus in route to our summer getaway.!!! I have Tommy James and The Shondells records at home. I play then regularly. The other song i remember learning at summer camp is 'I Get Around', Beach Boys, our cabin group sang that song for the camp's talent show! Awesome memories. I love your channel. And watch frequently. Thank you Professor. Keep it up. Alan

[@jamespcrown128]

Conoquenessing Creek? Zelienople?

[@ronl7131]

Another fun, forgotten lyrics: Sex Pistols, “Roadrunner”….imho…hysterically funny.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Wasn't that a cover song?

[@lorrainecapozzi4112]

In 1966, they played at our church bazaar in Harrison City Pennsylvania (just east of Pittsburgh). They were GREAT. My brother ended up years later taking guitar lessons from the band who lived in Harrison City. Good times!

[@Code.Name.V]

Greetings melomaniacs! Birthday Wishes to Don McLean, Mike Rutherford, Phil Oakey, and Sting!

[@TerrickTerran]

greetings this day.

[@Whisper_292]

Wow, lots of birthdays today.

[@FredGroenke55]

Hey, fellow music junkies!

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks Code! Great day for legends!

[@ProfessorofRock]

@@Whisper_292 No kidding!

[@plumafina]

I love everything about this interview. Speeding what was sped. Honor to both.

[@catherine6653]

I love Tommy James music 🎶 I had no idea about Roulette being corrupt.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Crazy eh?

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

That’s crazy!

[@AngelaMontarello2024]

I've been a fan of tommy james since age 5. My mom had the lp. I remember dancing to Hanky panky every time it was played.

[@mitchellbaker9434]

Tremendous career, despite being robbed the mob, and still being robbed by the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame.

[@TerrickTerran]

definitely should be in the RNR HOF.

[@mitchellbaker9434]

@@TerrickTerran Should've happened 20 years ago or more.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Right!

[@ProfessorofRock]

Agreed!

[@miguelservetus9534]

Not getting into the HoF May be an injustice but not the same as robbery.

[@patrickwhalen5502]

I"m still rocking at 75. Love your channel an d all the great stories.

[@joanlongino5776]

🎉😊

[@cannonball666]

I listened to Crimson and Clover OVER AND OVER. But it was Joan's.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Cool!

[@paulendicott9151]

Crimson and Clover was such an interesting sounding song for that time. All his music was great, even with the background support. Grat show as usual.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks!

[@perspectivewithmikeb]

Amazing how the same song will Fail and then get popular just because of how it is exposed/marketed!!

[@ProfessorofRock]

For sure!

[@jc4428]

Another outstanding interview. Hanky Panky was my favorite song when I was 6, and I still love it!

[@ProfessorofRock]

Cool!

[@1JackStClair]

how could you not remember the same 10 words repeated 23 times in a single song?

[@jimkanellakos4699]

Exactly 😂

[@ProfessorofRock]

He was 15! Not the only words of the song either.

[@LazyIRanch]

We still love Bill Withers, even though two of his most famous songs literally repeat two word phrases over and over and over, ad nauseum... "I know, I know, I know, ..." and "Lovely Day, Lovely Day, Lovely Day..."

[@douglashall2141]

A lot of radio companies would not play that song when it first come out. But they later picked it up and started playing it period and that was my experience with Tommy James and the Shondells the beginning. They wrote and performed many songs after that like you said Crimson and Clover which was one of my ex-wife's favorite songs. I liked it also actuality I like them all. I just never cared for his later hairstyle. But that has nothing to do with his music for the history of it. Thank you for this story this is awesome I never knew it. But I never read the book and now I will

[@Whisper_292]

Happy October (a day late) y'all.

[@Code.Name.V]

Happy month 10 to you as well Whisper!

[@TerrickTerran]

happy October, Whisper.

[@bobdavis4848]

Happy October and Halloween, Whisper.

[@guntherdawg]

@@bobdavis4848 Happeh Coffee Day one days late, @Whisper and Bestest Bobs! ☕

[@bobdavis4848]

@@guntherdawg Thanks, Gunther; I just looked up International Coffee Day. I had the second cup of coffee of my life at a Nakano enka shop on September 17. I'm a tea dunderhead. Happy hump day! ;-)

[@LindaFabuloso]

I love your videos your interviews are incredible, so amazing ! I remember Tommy James and the shondells played at my cousin's wedding I believe it was the late 70s early '80s on Long Island. Great memories

[@thetitleisours1]

That is funny. I remember that song.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Hello!

[@tomchrisfield7348]

Hanky Panky made it's way to the small rural farm community I lived in and we all sang this silly song on a 4-H hayride, of all places,and everybody loved it. Thank you Tommy James and the Mafia backed Roulette record label for bringing it to us. Amazing.