How Tommy James and The Shondells became Hubert H. Humphrey’s collaborator
In the early 1960s, Tommy James and The Shondells signed with Roulette Records. Their 1964 song, ‘Hanky Panky’, didn’t become a hit until two years later, when it gained newfound popularity in Pittsburgh. This success prompted James to assemble a touring band, and the group’s subsequent singles, including ‘I Think We’re Alone Now’ and ‘Mony Mony’, further solidified their status as hitmakers of the era.
The music of James and The Shondells was largely characterised by catchy hooks, infectious rhythms, and James’ distinctive vocals. These arrangements succeeded in resonating with audiences across the globe, earning them widespread acclaim and legions of devoted fans. However, behind the scenes, the band faced its share of challenges.
James’ then-boss, Morris Levy, a notorious figure in the music industry whose record label had thrived during the 1950s, was otherwise known as The Godfather. The mobster’s perceived industry monopoly, alongside the difficulty of receiving payment, meant that working with Roulette Records felt a bit dodgy. At least, that’s how James puts it: “They say crime doesn’t pay, and it’s true – the criminals who ran Roulette never paid me!”
In 1969, however, the band had entered new waters, forging an unsuspecting connection with American politics. This occurred after the release of Crimson and Clover, which included liner notes authored by then-Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey. These notes were penned just a month after Humphrey’s defeat to Richard Nixon in the presidential election, making them a noteworthy addition to the album’s legacy.
“We were asked by Hubert Humphrey if we would join him on the ’68 campaign,” James told The Reader. “It’s the first time a rock act and a politician ever got together, and we became good friends, of course, as good friend as you can become with the Vice President when you’re 21 years old. And so before the campaign was over, he asked me to be President’s Adviser on Youth Affairs.”
Continuing, he added: “And I joked, ‘Believe me, Mr. Humphrey, the youth are definitely having affairs, and I’m just the boy to look into them.’ He thought that was funny. We ended up doing the whole campaign with him. And then, of course, he ended up doing commercials for us. He did the liner notes to the Crimson and Clover album. He was just very, very gracious to us. And we remained friends right until he died.”
Although Humphrey lost out in the end, James appreciated every moment of the partnership. “Who knows? Maybe my life would have gone in another direction,” James said, discussing the potential outcome if Humphrey had won instead of Nixon. “But I was very proud to have him as a friend. He was a wonderful man.”
