Friday October 22, 2021 “Crystal Blue Persuasion” Tommy James & the Shondells
A little psychedelia for today's rainbow color, blue, compliments of songwriter and lead singer Tommy James who is joined by the Shondells. And what is a shondell, it’s ‘a very funny, tall guy’ according to the Urban Dictionary. Although, according to Tommy James the band was named after Tommy’s hometown of Ft. Wayne’s previous rock star, Troy Shondell ("This Time").
“Crystal Blue Persuasion” was not the only Tommy James hit as he and the Shondells crafted radio friendly pop/rock tunes like "Hanky Panky," "I Think We're Alone Now," "It's Only Love," “Crimson & Clover” and "Mony Mony."
Here’s an interesting tidbit, in 1981 Billy Idol scored a number one hit with a remake of the Tommy James hit “Mony Mony” which at that same moment was just ahead of the number two song, a remake by Tiffany of the Tommy James hit “I Think We’re Alone Now”.
There are a bunch of really fun stories in the Tommy James autobiography Me, the Mob and the Music where Tommy James recounts stories of working with the Roulette record label head and mafia mobster, Morris Levy.
Stay safe and well...and crystal blue persuasion is either a biblical reference as per Tommy James or "a transparent allegory about James' involvement with amphetamines.” according to Rolling Stone rock critic Dave Marsh. Your choice.