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June 15, 2025

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Tommy James and the Shondells put on a show last night at the Goodyear Theater that left no doubt for those in attendance, that they should be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

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Opening the show with his #4 hit song "Dragging The Line" Tommy James and The Shondells were firing on all cylinders.  Then they segued right into their #2 hit from 1969 "Crystal Blue Persuasion."

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How many artists can open up their show with two Top Five hits and still have plenty more to play?

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James thanked the audience for coming out and told them that "we're gonna throw everything that we know at you."  He also cracked a few jokes throughout the evening telling the crowd that "back in the sixties we used to do acid, now we take antacid." 

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Tommy also told the crowd that his book, Me, The Mob and The Music is being made into a movie and that they decided to rearrange one of his hit songs to be played while the end credits rolled.  So they played a slower, acoustic version of "I Think We're Alone Now" which got a great response from the audience.

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The hits continued to come as he played "Tighter, Tighter," "Crimson and Clover" and "Hanky Panky" in succession.

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During the set closing"Mony Mony" the band extended the song and James went out into the crowd to shake hands and take selfies with anyone towards the front of the stage.

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The band returned to play a three song encore that consisted of "Sweet Cherry Wine," "Mirage" and a reprise of "Mony Mony."

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It was a great, straight ahead rock and roll show.

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I sure hope some people from the Rock Hall were in attendance because Tommy James and The Shondells need to be inducted in 2026!

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Review and photos by Greg Drugan

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