Back in the 80s I talked to Tommy James when he called in to book a flight on the reservation line. He considered Crystal Blue Persuasion his best tune. I told him Draggin' the Line was my favorite of his
Billy Idol covered Mony Mony and Joan Jett covered "Hanky Panky" on her debut album in 1980 Joan Jett (later renamed and re released as Bad Reputation after the Blackhearts formed)
That was our psychedelic music in the beginning of the psychedelia period. I was a freshman in high school. We loved all this new kind of stuff so different from conservative before. Our technology got a whole lot better by the time Joan started doing it.
Classic huge #1 Record for Tommy James and The Shondells. They had a bunch of big hits from 1966 to 1971. Joan Jett did an awesome cover as well! Rock on!❤
TJ was a hit maker. He totally understood how to craft great pop songs. A few punks covered their songs in the 70s & 80s because his songs were the soundtrack of our childhoods.
My Mom had the biggest crush on Tommy James so as a little kid growing up in the 70s I heard this and many, many other songs by Tommy James Haven't heard this in years and WOW this was great. Joan Jett did a great cover as well
THANK YOU for reacting to JOAN JETT!!! She is called the “Godmother of Punk” and “Queen of Rock n Roll”, and has pioneered women in hard rock since the 70’s! She got her first guitar at 13 as a Xmas present from her parents and was musically influenced by T-Rex, Bowie, Iggy Pop & SUZI QUATRO. At 15 years old she started the FIRST ALL GIRL punk/metal influenced hard rock band in 1975 which also featured a teenage Lita Ford on lead guitar and vocalist Cherie Currie (However, FANNY was the first all girl ROCK band but punk had not come into the music scene yet until the mid 70’s). In 1976 they debuted their first album “The Runaways” which spawned the classic song “Cherry Bomb”, which Joan Jett wrote as an audition song for vocalist Cherie Currie, alluding to her name and the fact that they were all “teenage firecrackers” (Cherie Currie, 16, wore a corset, fishnet stockings, black underwear and high heels on stage which gave them the reputation as “jailbait rock”). Although this was their most recognized song, it certainly does not define them as a band. Their album debuted the same time that Heart debuted their album “Dreamboat Annie”. Both bands had to deal with sexism and misogyny from the male dominated genre of hard rock, although Heart was backed by male band members, the Runaways got it worse being ALL teenage girls. They released “Queens of Noise” in 1977 and toured Japan where they were HUGE, they were NEVER taken seriously in America. Lead vocalist Cherie Currie quit the band during the tour making Joan the front girl of the band. After the tour they recorded what I think is their best album, “Waiting for the Night'' which Joan Jett wrote most of the songs, along with some songs written by Lita Ford. It was a punk/metal influenced album after touring in England and being exposed to the punk rock scene, later touring with the Ramones, Cheap Trick, etc. By 1978 there was heavy drug abuse and tension among the remaining 3 members of the band (Joan, Lita and drummer Sandy West) after they released their 4th and final studio album “And now, the Runaways” (which featured the song “Black Leather” written by Steve Jones and Paul Cook from the Sex Pistols). Joan Jett gravitated towards a Punk sound and both Lita and Sandy towards a more heavy metal sound. By Spring 1979 the band broke up and Joan Jett began her solo career which would last till this day. Later Lita Ford would also find mainstream success. In 1979 Joan Jett met Kenny Laguna, a producer who also became her manager. Together they set out to launch Joan’s solo career but NO ONE wanted Joan Jett. Joan recorded FIVE songs on a demo tape: “I Love Rock n Roll”, “Crimson and Clover”, “Do You Wanna Touch Me (Oh Yeah!), “Bad Reputation” and “You Don’t Own Me”. The demo was sent to *23* major, and minor, record labels. ALL *23* labels rejected her saying, in essence, she wasn’t marketable. Their letters said Joan “should lose the guitar” or “look prettier” and she needed a “song search”. Not giving up, Kenny Laguna took some money he had saved and both Kenny and Joan started their OWN record label, BLACKHEART Records. They recorded their first album titled “Joan Jett” in 1980 and sold their records at shows from the trunk of their car. Eventually they were signed on to Boardwalk Records and they re-released the album as “Bad Reputation”. Joan put an ad saying, “Wanted 3 good men” for a band and the Blackhearts were formed. While still struggling as a woman in hard rock the band recorded the album “I Love Rock n Roll”. The title track went to #1 on the Billboard chart for 8 weeks in a row!!! The next single “Crimson and Clover” went to #5 (a cover song from Tommy James and the Shondells which Kenny Laguna temporarily played keyboards with and he brought the song for Joan to sing). They re-released the songs “Bad Reputation” and “Do You Wanna Touch Me” and they became hits. The video for “Bad Reputation” was a JAB at all 23 record labels that rejected her (note that the 4 songs that were rejected were 4 hits on the Billboard charts). Joan Jett was HUGE and was touring with Queen, the Rolling Stones, Aerosmith and other big bands. In 1983 she released the album called “Album” which had 2 hits “Fake Friends” and a cover of Sly and the Family Stones’ “Everyday People”. In 1986 she appeared in the movie “Light of Day” with Michael J. Fox, with her acting performance getting great reviews, and the title track song written by Bruce Springsteen. In 1988 “Up your Alley” was released and 2 songs were hits “I Hate Myself For Loving You” and “Little Liar”. In 1990 “The Hit List” was released, an album of ALL cover songs, including the covers of “Dirty Deeds (Done Dirt Cheap)” by AC/DC, “Love Hurts” by Nazareth and “Have You Ever Seen The Rain” by CCR. In the early 90’s the Grunge era came but Joan continued putting out albums and non stop touring. “Notorious” (1992) and “Pure and Simple” (1994) were released. Joan also did other TV shows and movies such as “Boogie Boy”. In 2000 she was doing “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” on Broadway playing Magenta. “Naked” CD was released in Japan (not in America) which had the song “Science Fiction, Double Feature”. In 2006 she released the “Sinner” CD which had the video for the song “ACDC”, a cover of the Sweets’ song (about bisexuality) which featured Carmen Elektra. Joan Jett also toured the Vans Warped Tour main stage that year. In 2013 she released “Unvarnished” and the song/video for “Any Weather” co written by Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl and the song “Soulmates to Strangers” co written by Trans musician Laura Jane Grace from Against Me. In 2015 Joan Jett and the Blackhearts were inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame after the previous year when Joan Jett performed “Smells Like Teen Spirit” w/ Nirvana when they were inducted. Throughout the years Joan Jett has written songs for other artists such as Alice Cooper, L7, Bikini Kill, etc. She was dubbed the leader of the “Riot Girrl” movement of the 90’s. She produced other bands and signed them to her Blackheart Records label. She is an animal activist for P.E.T.A. For years she also goes to play free shows for American troops overseas bringing them “a piece of home”. She is a singer, musician, songwriter, producer, record label owner, activist, pioneer, legend and Icon. Below will be some links to Official Videos and performances. For a more in depth account of her history check out the Showtime music documentary “Bad Reputation” it’s on TH-cam.
Tommy did a club performance back in 1999 that was captured on video. He plays all his hits and the show is a really good one on a small stage. DO yourself a treat and watch "Tommy James and The Shondells - Live '99 Bitter End Concert" right here on youtube.
"And now, fer all yew youngsters..." Sorry, couldn't resist. Ed Sullivan was a trip, and his production team really went all in on trying to make the telecast of an act like this as "psychedelic" as possible, hoping to attract a younger demographic. TJ and the Shondells were, of course, performing to the recorded track. I love both versions of the song.
There is a 2015 LIVE version of Tommy James joining Joan Jett on stage when Joan was inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame in 2015. Joan introduced him as someone who wrote one of her biggest hits and Tommy James came out along w/ Dave Grohl from Nirvana/Foo Fighters and Miley Cyrus. Also, Joan Jett's manager/producer Kenny Laguna was a bubblegum pop rock producer in the 60's and briefly played keyboards for Tommy James and the Shondells. Kenny brought the song to Joan to cover and her cover peaked at #5 on the Billboard charts. (I Love Rock n Roll was the biggest hit reaching #1 for 8 weeks in a row in 1982!!!)
I like that they're wearing the " Seinfeld Pirate shirts" I remember hearing this as a kid for the first time and thinking the vocals at the end was the radio station reception going in and out as A.M. radio can. The Tommy James album version is about three times longer and has a wah- wah lead solo in it Worth checking out!
Here are some suggestions for Eric Clapton: - Double Trouble 1978 Bootleg (best solo of all time) - 24 nights concert (Pretending, Old Love, Edge of Darkness and Concert with Orchestra are my favs) - From the Cradle Tour (Have you ever loved a woman, Five long years and Groaning the blues are in his channel on TH-cam) - Cream Bootlegs are a MUST (the long ones are the best) - John Mayall album 1966
It was important for older folks to stay “relevant” which was why Sinatra covered Beatles tunes and Ed Sullivan let them do the trippy psychedelic stuff with the cameras. TJ and the Shondells were pretty ubiquitous on the charts for a number of years, first with Bubblegum music and pop hits then with attempts at the heavier stuff. Crimson & Clover brings back memories from 6th grade when the charts were filled with songs like Love Child Diana Ross And The Supremes Magic Carpet Ride Steppenwolf Hey Jude Beatles White Room Cream Promises Promises Dionne Warwick
Ed Sullivan aired the cut down radio single version, theres 2 more minutes of awesomeness 5:26 full version 😂 ✌️☮️ I demand the full version relisten, it's worth it
@@dynodon9182 No she does NOT *rolls eyes Go listen to her album "Notorious" (1992) and "Pure and Simple" (1994) and there are NO COVERS AT ALL. Her early solo work, YES, due to her manager producer who was a music producer in the bubblegum rock of the 60's era who brought songs to her to cover on her first 5 solo records. "Bad Reputation", "Fake Friends", "Little Liar", "I Hate Myself For Loving You" were not covers nor was "Light of Day" which was written by Bruce Springsteen for the movie that Joan Jett and Michael J Fox starred in back in 1986.
i was 16 with my parents at a campground -- they had a swimming pond there with a float raft in the middle. i was laying out there when crimson and clover came out over the lake speakers. i thought it was fantastic then and still do.
I like the original/ remake concept. You should try more. T.J. and S had a song called Mony Mony covered by Billy Idol and Tiffany covered I Think We're Alone Now. They hit number one back to back being the first time that happened. For a three time song, try Roll Over Beethoven by Chuck Berry, The Beatles and E.L.O.
Every one likes different things and that good,however I truly CANT STAND White Rabbit, White Rabbit, White Rabbit, Rabbit! I don’t think there is much more to it! It’s almost the whole song! lol!
I've heard that crimson and clover means making love to a virgin in the clover and the blood, of course, is the first part of the song. MK Ultra? Maybe. You can look at it anyway you wish to. I'm 66 so I heard it on the radio in the 60s and never knew the meaning, at least one of the meanings. One of the great 60s rock songs and a classic for sure. Thank you. 🙏🎶
One of my first tastes of "psychedelic rock". TJ and the Shondels 45's fit in perfectly with the other 45's of my pre-teen record collection. Songs like Mony, Mony were kind of bubble gum, pop rock that you parents wouldn't be shocked by. (Mony, Mony covered by Billy Idol in the 80's). Then TJ got all freaky on me and opened my mind. (Gross exaggeration). After that my older brother's Led Zeppelin IV, Who's Next, and Thick as a Brick 8 tracks started appealing to me.
This was our "make-out song at my friends Basement parties in 7th and 8th grade back in the early 70s. Tommy James was great. Must react to "Crystal Blue Persuasion." His biggest and Best song ever from the summer of 1969.
The TV cameramen are the ones on a trip, right? The song just feels like the record company execs instructed the studio to pour psychedelic sauce over this little pop ditty. "It's what the kids are really digging these days!" Yeah, decades later it's quite fun. Joan Jett was probably the most talented member of The Runaways, but they were themselves a kind of plastic product. Kim Fowley:"What if we could have a punk band, but they're all hot chicks?"
Thanks Lee! Love Tommy James, also Draggin' The Line and Crystal Blue Persuasion. No offense to anyone but I just couldn't watch the cover, not a fan at all. Take care!
The First vid used the prerecorded single for the audio, and 'mirror mylar' for the twisted reflections. Check out "Crystal Blue Persuasion" and *"Draggin' the Line"* for some other fine tracks ~~~
Joan Jett and Pat Benatar could be twins musically speaking. BTW Rare Earth has a lead singer drummer. Other Tommy James must hears Crystal Blue Persuasion, Mony Mony, I Think we're Alone Now and Mirage.
Totally agree with you Lee. I like both versions, but definitely prefer the Tommy James & The Shondells version better. They had a string of hits in the 60's & 70's. You should definitely check out some more. Here's some of their hits Crystal Blue Persuasion Draggin' The Line (REM does a cover of this) I Think We're Alone Now Mony Mony (Billy Idol covered this) Hanky Panky Sweet Cherry Wine
The Joan Jett version was good in that she made it her own without destroying the music, but the Tommy James and the Shondells original... man! I loved their songs. Like so many other people, I love to sing along in my car. But this song - when he gets to the end and the vocals are being cut in-cut out for the last 30-40 seconds - that is hell on you if you are trying do that that with your vocal chords, lungs, and diaphragm! Make me want to pass out! Thanks for this - especially the TJ&TS original.
"Sweet Cherry Wine" as a call to change thru peace & love & Wine, also "Crystal Blue Persuasion". Good dance hit could be their "Mony Mony" (pronounced moan-y moan-y or Pony Pony)
@@L33Reacts Joan Jett also has some very non aggressive songs, whether ones she wrote or covers (she enjoys doing covers but she's also a great songwriter for her own music). Her version of Nazareth's song "Love Hurts" is a great cover or her cover of CCR's "Have you ever seen the Rain?"
My favorite is Tommy James joining Joan Jett on stage performing the song when Joan was inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame in 2015. I think the official Rock Hall youtube channel has the performance, it also features Dave Grohl from Nirvana/Foo Fighters. Joan introduced him as the one who wrote one of her biggest hits giving him all credit!
In his autobiography he mentions that they did this as a quick rough mix - sent it over to the label people, explaining that it was a rough mix and would redo it. Damn - the great wide separation of the Joan Jett version makes me want to love it - but I don’t.
I was in high school when this came out. wow he was hot. It's all based on drugs. I mean crimson and clover ? what have they got to do with each other. It was all LSD driven. Funny thing is I watched my friends do it, and thought they behaved weird, so I never touched it.
Make out music back in those days. No disrespect, it was cool that Joan did a cover but the original is just better. Credit for doing something different with the song though.
while 100 true, she's always been about the music and about the fans which is why she's NEVER publicly "come out" and she refuses to. She's said in interviews she likes it if a guy or a girl gets off to her music.
CRYSTAL BLUE PERSUASION
is another one of their songs to react to 👍🤙
Love the lyrics to that one
Tommy James underrated. Thanks for giving Tommy James & The Shondells the spotlight.
Their first hit was "Hanky Panky" one of my favorites along with "I Think We're Alone Now".
You must do Crystal Blue Persuasion. Perfect summer song.
Back in the 80s I talked to Tommy James when he called in to book a flight on the reservation line. He considered Crystal Blue Persuasion his best tune. I told him Draggin' the Line was my favorite of his
Loved this song when I was a kid in the 60's. I think it stands the test of time.
3 others I love: "Mony Mony", "Hanky Panky" and "Crystal Blue Persuasion"
Billy Idol covered Mony Mony and Joan Jett covered "Hanky Panky" on her debut album in 1980 Joan Jett (later renamed and re released as Bad Reputation after the Blackhearts formed)
That was our psychedelic music in the beginning of the psychedelia period. I was a freshman in high school. We loved all this new kind of stuff so different from conservative before. Our technology got a whole lot better by the time Joan started doing it.
In 1968?
The original was a popular radio song .. a blast from the past .. love it
The radio version cut out a couple of minutes of instrumental playing.
Give the longer album version a listen.
You need to hear “Cherry Bomb” by The Runaways- Joan’s first and all female band
Dragging' the Line is a great hit by Tommy James!
Joan Jett was badass. Dark, played guitar & great voice. Great cover.
Classic huge #1 Record for Tommy James and The Shondells. They had a bunch of big hits from 1966 to 1971. Joan Jett did an awesome cover as well! Rock on!❤
TJ was a hit maker. He totally understood how to craft great pop songs. A few punks covered their songs in the 70s & 80s because his songs were the soundtrack of our childhoods.
My Mom had the biggest crush on Tommy James so as a little kid growing up in the 70s I heard this and many, many other songs by Tommy James
Haven't heard this in years and WOW this was great.
Joan Jett did a great cover as well
Long version by TJ is worth a listen. Great reaction! Thanks Lee
At 66 Joan Jett is still touring. The little lady from Pennsylvania can sure still rock.
THANK YOU for reacting to JOAN JETT!!! She is called the “Godmother of Punk” and “Queen of Rock n Roll”, and has pioneered women in hard rock since the 70’s! She got her first guitar at 13 as a Xmas present from her parents and was musically influenced by T-Rex, Bowie, Iggy Pop & SUZI QUATRO. At 15 years old she started the FIRST ALL GIRL punk/metal influenced hard rock band in 1975 which also featured a teenage Lita Ford on lead guitar and vocalist Cherie Currie (However, FANNY was the first all girl ROCK band but punk had not come into the music scene yet until the mid 70’s). In 1976 they debuted their first album “The Runaways” which spawned the classic song “Cherry Bomb”, which Joan Jett wrote as an audition song for vocalist Cherie Currie, alluding to her name and the fact that they were all “teenage firecrackers” (Cherie Currie, 16, wore a corset, fishnet stockings, black underwear and high heels on stage which gave them the reputation as “jailbait rock”). Although this was their most recognized song, it certainly does not define them as a band. Their album debuted the same time that Heart debuted their album “Dreamboat Annie”. Both bands had to deal with sexism and misogyny from the male dominated genre of hard rock, although Heart was backed by male band members, the Runaways got it worse being ALL teenage girls. They released “Queens of Noise” in 1977 and toured Japan where they were HUGE, they were NEVER taken seriously in America. Lead vocalist Cherie Currie quit the band during the tour making Joan the front girl of the band. After the tour they recorded what I think is their best album, “Waiting for the Night'' which Joan Jett wrote most of the songs, along with some songs written by Lita Ford. It was a punk/metal influenced album after touring in England and being exposed to the punk rock scene, later touring with the Ramones, Cheap Trick, etc. By 1978 there was heavy drug abuse and tension among the remaining 3 members of the band (Joan, Lita and drummer Sandy West) after they released their 4th and final studio album “And now, the Runaways” (which featured the song “Black Leather” written by Steve Jones and Paul Cook from the Sex Pistols). Joan Jett gravitated towards a Punk sound and both Lita and Sandy towards a more heavy metal sound. By Spring 1979 the band broke up and Joan Jett began her solo career which would last till this day. Later Lita Ford would also find mainstream success.
In 1979 Joan Jett met Kenny Laguna, a producer who also became her manager. Together they set out to launch Joan’s solo career but NO ONE wanted Joan Jett. Joan recorded FIVE songs on a demo tape: “I Love Rock n Roll”, “Crimson and Clover”, “Do You Wanna Touch Me (Oh Yeah!), “Bad Reputation” and “You Don’t Own Me”. The demo was sent to *23* major, and minor, record labels. ALL *23* labels rejected her saying, in essence, she wasn’t marketable. Their letters said Joan “should lose the guitar” or “look prettier” and she needed a “song search”. Not giving up, Kenny Laguna took some money he had saved and both Kenny and Joan started their OWN record label, BLACKHEART Records. They recorded their first album titled “Joan Jett” in 1980 and sold their records at shows from the trunk of their car. Eventually they were signed on to Boardwalk Records and they re-released the album as “Bad Reputation”. Joan put an ad saying, “Wanted 3 good men” for a band and the Blackhearts were formed. While still struggling as a woman in hard rock the band recorded the album “I Love Rock n Roll”. The title track went to #1 on the Billboard chart for 8 weeks in a row!!! The next single “Crimson and Clover” went to #5 (a cover song from Tommy James and the Shondells which Kenny Laguna temporarily played keyboards with and he brought the song for Joan to sing). They re-released the songs “Bad Reputation” and “Do You Wanna Touch Me” and they became hits. The video for “Bad Reputation” was a JAB at all 23 record labels that rejected her (note that the 4 songs that were rejected were 4 hits on the Billboard charts). Joan Jett was HUGE and was touring with Queen, the Rolling Stones, Aerosmith and other big bands. In 1983 she released the album called “Album” which had 2 hits “Fake Friends” and a cover of Sly and the Family Stones’ “Everyday People”. In 1986 she appeared in the movie “Light of Day” with Michael J. Fox, with her acting performance getting great reviews, and the title track song written by Bruce Springsteen. In 1988 “Up your Alley” was released and 2 songs were hits “I Hate Myself For Loving You” and “Little Liar”. In 1990 “The Hit List” was released, an album of ALL cover songs, including the covers of “Dirty Deeds (Done Dirt Cheap)” by AC/DC, “Love Hurts” by Nazareth and “Have You Ever Seen The Rain” by CCR. In the early 90’s the Grunge era came but Joan continued putting out albums and non stop touring. “Notorious” (1992) and “Pure and Simple” (1994) were released. Joan also did other TV shows and movies such as “Boogie Boy”. In 2000 she was doing “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” on Broadway playing Magenta. “Naked” CD was released in Japan (not in America) which had the song “Science Fiction, Double Feature”. In 2006 she released the “Sinner” CD which had the video for the song “ACDC”, a cover of the Sweets’ song (about bisexuality) which featured Carmen Elektra. Joan Jett also toured the Vans Warped Tour main stage that year. In 2013 she released “Unvarnished” and the song/video for “Any Weather” co written by Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl and the song “Soulmates to Strangers” co written by Trans musician Laura Jane Grace from Against Me. In 2015 Joan Jett and the Blackhearts were inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame after the previous year when Joan Jett performed “Smells Like Teen Spirit” w/ Nirvana when they were inducted. Throughout the years Joan Jett has written songs for other artists such as Alice Cooper, L7, Bikini Kill, etc. She was dubbed the leader of the “Riot Girrl” movement of the 90’s. She produced other bands and signed them to her Blackheart Records label. She is an animal activist for P.E.T.A. For years she also goes to play free shows for American troops overseas bringing them “a piece of home”. She is a singer, musician, songwriter, producer, record label owner, activist, pioneer, legend and Icon. Below will be some links to Official Videos and performances. For a more in depth account of her history check out the Showtime music documentary “Bad Reputation” it’s on TH-cam.
Tommy did a club performance back in 1999 that was captured on video. He plays all his hits and the show is a really good one on a small stage. DO yourself a treat and watch "Tommy James and The Shondells - Live '99 Bitter End Concert" right here on youtube.
"And now, fer all yew youngsters..." Sorry, couldn't resist. Ed Sullivan was a trip, and his production team really went all in on trying to make the telecast of an act like this as "psychedelic" as possible, hoping to attract a younger demographic. TJ and the Shondells were, of course, performing to the recorded track. I love both versions of the song.
I didn't see a cord coming from either guitar, a dead giveaway for this era videos,
Tommy is still out there rockin’. Has a radio show on Sirius.
That's Joans look at age 20, 40, 60
One of the real rock & roll beauties ❤
The long version of TJ's CRIMSON is the one to listen to.
There is a 2015 LIVE version of Tommy James joining Joan Jett on stage when Joan was inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame in 2015. Joan introduced him as someone who wrote one of her biggest hits and Tommy James came out along w/ Dave Grohl from Nirvana/Foo Fighters and Miley Cyrus. Also, Joan Jett's manager/producer Kenny Laguna was a bubblegum pop rock producer in the 60's and briefly played keyboards for Tommy James and the Shondells. Kenny brought the song to Joan to cover and her cover peaked at #5 on the Billboard charts. (I Love Rock n Roll was the biggest hit reaching #1 for 8 weeks in a row in 1982!!!)
Nice choice. Grew up on Tommy James music and was lucky to see Joan Jett twice at The Fastlane in NJ (79/80).
I like that they're wearing the " Seinfeld Pirate shirts" I remember hearing this as a kid for the first time and thinking the vocals at the end was the radio station reception going in and out as A.M. radio can. The Tommy James album version is about three times longer and has a wah- wah lead solo in it Worth checking out!
Here are some suggestions for Eric Clapton:
- Double Trouble 1978 Bootleg (best solo of all time)
- 24 nights concert (Pretending, Old Love, Edge of Darkness and Concert with Orchestra are my favs)
- From the Cradle Tour (Have you ever loved a woman, Five long years and Groaning the blues are in his channel on TH-cam)
- Cream Bootlegs are a MUST (the long ones are the best)
- John Mayall album 1966
Tommy James has a great book about his experiences on Roulette Records with Morris Levy.
It was important for older folks to stay “relevant” which was why Sinatra covered Beatles tunes and Ed Sullivan let them do the trippy psychedelic stuff with the cameras.
TJ and the Shondells were pretty ubiquitous on the charts for a number of years, first with Bubblegum music and pop hits then with attempts at the heavier stuff. Crimson & Clover brings back memories from 6th grade when the charts were filled with songs like
Love Child Diana Ross And The Supremes
Magic Carpet Ride Steppenwolf
Hey Jude Beatles
White Room Cream
Promises Promises Dionne Warwick
Ed Sullivan aired the cut down radio single version, theres 2 more minutes of awesomeness 5:26 full version 😂 ✌️☮️
I demand the full version relisten, it's worth it
Apparently Joel couldn’t find one that worked so he picked this one
I was there for that Ed Sullivan performance. It was all done with mirrors on small stage.
Joan was a badass
Joan Jett & The Blackhearts version is my favorite... She was my idol in jr high .she is the epitome of girl cool🖤
That's all she did. Covers.
@@dynodon9182 I believe IMHO...she did a great rendition of the original 😉
@@dynodon9182 No she does NOT *rolls eyes
Go listen to her album "Notorious" (1992) and "Pure and Simple" (1994) and there are NO COVERS AT ALL.
Her early solo work, YES, due to her manager producer who was a music producer in the bubblegum rock of the 60's era who brought songs to her to cover on her first 5 solo records.
"Bad Reputation", "Fake Friends", "Little Liar", "I Hate Myself For Loving You" were not covers nor was "Light of Day" which was written by Bruce Springsteen for the movie that Joan Jett and Michael J Fox starred in back in 1986.
My favorite TJ song.
i was 16 with my parents at a campground -- they had a swimming pond there with a float raft in the middle. i was laying out there when crimson and clover came out over the lake speakers. i thought it was fantastic then and still do.
I like the original/ remake concept. You should try more. T.J. and S had a song called Mony Mony covered by Billy Idol and Tiffany covered I Think We're Alone Now. They hit number one back to back being the first time that happened. For a three time song, try Roll Over Beethoven by Chuck Berry, The Beatles and E.L.O.
This is the short version of the Tommy James version, do the long one.
High School, 69 mustang...cruising!! Thanks for the memory!
Best tremolo song ever
If you want “Trippy “ you have to react to:
WHITE RABBIT
by Jefferson Airplane
Every one likes different things and that good,however I truly CANT STAND White Rabbit, White Rabbit, White Rabbit, Rabbit! I don’t think there is much more to it! It’s almost the whole song! lol!
I had this on vinyl- a 45- my dad thought it was warped and kept telling me we needed to return it to the store for a new copy 🤣🤣
The start of psychedelia.
I really like the Joan Jett one. I like her voice.
Joan is badass.
Our home town boy, Tommy, James from Niles Michigan
Even the label on the 45 was trippy to watch spin around. It was an orange and yellow spiral shape that kinna sucked you into watching it.
And Joan Jett Came out of the first all-girl Punk band, The Runaways,
Can really see the influence of the Clash on Joan Jett's version...
I've heard that crimson and clover means making love to a virgin in the clover and the blood, of course, is the first part of the song. MK Ultra? Maybe. You can look at it anyway you wish to. I'm 66 so I heard it on the radio in the 60s and never knew the meaning, at least one of the meanings. One of the great 60s rock songs and a classic for sure. Thank you. 🙏🎶
Tremolo effect. All cheap amps used to have it
You mentioned “Summer Time Blues”. Forget The Who or Joan Jett. Eddie Cochran 1958. Stripped down Rock & Roll.
One of my first tastes of "psychedelic rock". TJ and the Shondels 45's fit in perfectly with the other 45's of my pre-teen record collection. Songs like Mony, Mony were kind of bubble gum, pop rock that you parents wouldn't be shocked by. (Mony, Mony covered by Billy Idol in the 80's). Then TJ got all freaky on me and opened my mind. (Gross exaggeration). After that my older brother's Led Zeppelin IV, Who's Next, and Thick as a Brick 8 tracks started appealing to me.
Also do :
CHRYSTAL BLUE PERSUASION
DRAGGING THE LINE
two more great ones by them
Gotta listen to the full length version
Queen of R and R…..
Have you heard Tina Turner yet ? We would all like that 😊
Definitely. And also Rufus
You need to hear the longer album version of TJ & The Shonell's version.
This was our "make-out song at my friends Basement parties in 7th and 8th grade back in the early 70s. Tommy James was great. Must react to "Crystal Blue Persuasion." His biggest and Best song ever from the summer of 1969.
First was unusual and fun🎉
The TV cameramen are the ones on a trip, right? The song just feels like the record company execs instructed the studio to pour psychedelic sauce over this little pop ditty. "It's what the kids are really digging these days!" Yeah, decades later it's quite fun. Joan Jett was probably the most talented member of The Runaways, but they were themselves a kind of plastic product. Kim Fowley:"What if we could have a punk band, but they're all hot chicks?"
Thinking about Jazz Standards, this song feels like a rock n roll standard.
We experimented with plenty of things back in the '60s :) Many female artists were bad azz in the '70s/'80s ;)
Thanks Lee! Love Tommy James, also Draggin' The Line and Crystal Blue Persuasion. No offense to anyone but I just couldn't watch the cover, not a fan at all. Take care!
Nice contrast between the Bands.
Considering how stuffy Ed Sullivan was kudos to this recording. Sure to get me in trouble.
Joan Jett was hot.
🚜🤠🐂
The First vid used the prerecorded single for the audio, and 'mirror mylar' for the twisted reflections.
Check out "Crystal Blue Persuasion" and *"Draggin' the Line"* for some other fine tracks ~~~
Joan Jett and Pat Benatar could be twins musically speaking. BTW Rare Earth has a lead singer drummer. Other Tommy James must hears Crystal Blue Persuasion, Mony Mony, I Think we're Alone Now and Mirage.
Trippy vid to go along with a trippy song. I like to think Ed Sullivan was trippin balls backstage 😂
I believe the real queen of Rock is Ann Wilson of Heart. Check out "Baracuda"
My favorite version. Sorry Joan!
Crystal Blue Persuasion please!!!! ❤😊
Totally agree with you Lee. I like both versions, but definitely prefer the Tommy James & The Shondells version better.
They had a string of hits in the 60's & 70's. You should definitely check out some more. Here's some of their hits
Crystal Blue Persuasion
Draggin' The Line (REM does a cover of this)
I Think We're Alone Now
Mony Mony (Billy Idol covered this)
Hanky Panky
Sweet Cherry Wine
The Joan Jett version was good in that she made it her own without destroying the music, but the Tommy James and the Shondells original... man! I loved their songs. Like so many other people, I love to sing along in my car. But this song - when he gets to the end and the vocals are being cut in-cut out for the last 30-40 seconds - that is hell on you if you are trying do that that with your vocal chords, lungs, and diaphragm! Make me want to pass out! Thanks for this - especially the TJ&TS original.
You'd like the full version better. I think you might have said that at the beginning. I'm not sure, but the full version has some trippy guitar work.
Psych pop rock classic.
Love the first one... sexy slow... Some strange pics of Joan Jett :D
Yeah Joan Jett definitely rocked it up a bit, but the original was pretty unique in its day
"Sweet Cherry Wine" as a call to change thru peace & love & Wine, also "Crystal Blue Persuasion". Good dance hit could be their "Mony Mony" (pronounced moan-y moan-y or Pony Pony)
before Midnight Special.
Yeah, gotta watch yourself around that feminine anger... LMAO when you made that comment!
Theyre vicious man 😅😂😂
@@L33Reacts Joan Jett also has some very non aggressive songs, whether ones she wrote or covers (she enjoys doing covers but she's also a great songwriter for her own music).
Her version of Nazareth's song "Love Hurts" is a great cover or her cover of CCR's "Have you ever seen the Rain?"
Joan Jett was my girl
Check out Tommy James' Dragging' the Line.
Nice try Joan, but TJ owns this. You can’t 80’s-ify 60’s psychedelia. E for effort though!
My favorite is Tommy James joining Joan Jett on stage performing the song when Joan was inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame in 2015. I think the official Rock Hall youtube channel has the performance, it also features Dave Grohl from Nirvana/Foo Fighters. Joan introduced him as the one who wrote one of her biggest hits giving him all credit!
PLEASE do Kansas tunes! America’s finest progressive band. Particularly from their first 6 albums of the 1070s.
Early tracks classified as bubblegum. The band wanted to be mature musicians. They did a good job. Try “Crystal Blue Persuasion”.
In his autobiography he mentions that they did this as a quick rough mix - sent it over to the label people, explaining that it was a rough mix and would redo it.
Damn - the great wide separation of the Joan Jett version makes me want to love it - but I don’t.
Check out "The French Song"!
Prince covered it too.
Wow far out man....
This video is great but it cuts out the extended guitar solo. You want to hear that one.
I was in high school when this came out. wow he was hot. It's all based on drugs. I mean crimson and clover ? what have they got to do with each other. It was all LSD driven. Funny thing is I watched my friends do it, and thought they behaved weird, so I never touched it.
The long version of "Crimson and Clover" is much better...great guitar solo. The entire album that it is on is very good.
Did you notice Tommy James never blinks his eyes?????
Imo tommy comes off a little creepy.. both versions are good though
Make out music back in those days. No disrespect, it was cool that Joan did a cover but the original is just better. Credit for doing something different with the song though.
They were a hit factory for a while, was a big fan, i think the Doors killed them, as they changed the direction rock was going.
Joan Jett is a beautiful woman, however, us men are not her type, if you understand me.
LOL
while 100 true, she's always been about the music and about the fans which is why she's NEVER publicly "come out" and she refuses to. She's said in interviews she likes it if a guy or a girl gets off to her music.
You and Joan look like you could be related!
Can you please react to Nation by Big Pig, please 😊
No…. Joan Jett was our girl ❤
#runaways
He’s high AF in this vid
Probably hahaha