Tommy James and the Shondells enjoyed 14 Top 40 hits, most of which remain must listens. Tommy James and the Shondells have even achieved something that they saw relatively little of in their heyday — respect. In the years 1966-1970, they were regarded as a bubblegum act and part of the scenery by the few discerning, critical voices around, but in the ’80s, their music revealed its staying power in fresh recordings (and hits) by Joan Jett, Billy Idol, and Tiffany. The bottom line is that from 1968 through 1970, when artists like Jagger, Fogerty, and Morrison were in their heyday, Tommy James and the Shondells sold more singles than any other pop act in the world, many of them written, co-written, or at least chosen by James. The mere fact that he released a concert DVD in the fall of 2000 is a loud testament to the power and impact of his work four decades into his career. In 2012, they released I Love Christmas. James continues to tour and delight audiences with his memorable hits.
