Radio Gonzo

GONZO WEEKLY #101: Jon and Tommy James think they're alone now

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Synopsis

Last week I reviewed Tommy James' remarkable autobiography, and as I wrote then, I have been aware of Tommy James for some decades. Like everybody I know the songs 'Hanky Panky' (although I think it means something different over here in the UK than it does in America), 'Mony Mony,' and 'I Think we're Alone Now.' But it wasn't until I read the book and found out what a fascinating career this man has had, that I sat down with my trusty Spotify account and found out what a slew of great music I have been missing out on for all these years. I am particularly impressed by the music that the man usually considered as the "father of bubblegum music" made when he was allowed to let his hair down and play games with form and style. Why these more psychedelic outings aren't spoken of more often I have no idea. But leaving the music aside, it's the socio-political background to this book that I find most fascinating. I had no idea, for example, that Tommy James had been such an important figure in the 1968 electio