Whether you grew up in this century or in the last, chances are you know the work of Tommy James and the Shondells. Singer and guitarist James, who formed the Shondells in the early ’60s, is responsible for some of the most known songs across the generations.
If you’ve heard “Hanky Panky,” that was his first hit. And if you thought Billy Idol and Tiffany came up with “Mony, Mony” and “I Think We’re Alone Now,” respectively, you’d be a little off, as those were mid-’60s pop smashes for the group. With the song “Crimson and Clover,” the group began a more rock-oriented, psychedelic slant, releasing hits like “Crystal Blue Persuasion” and "Sweet Cherry Wine.”
Although Tommy James and the Shondells disbanded in 1970, they had a lasting effect in the music industry, with more than 300 artists covering the hits. “Crystal Blue Persuasion” was even featured in the wildly popular Breaking Bad in 2012.
Today, James has a busy touring schedule, traveling across the country with the Shondells, which has had many members throughout the decades, and appears in downtown Las Vegas at the Golden Nugget this week. No matter how you connect to the band, it’s a great chance to see a music legend and find yourself saying, “I didn’t know they did this song!”
Golden Nugget, 8 p.m. March 8, starting at $69 plus tax and fee. ticketmaster.com
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