Tommy James Not Amongst The 2023 Rock’n’Roll Hall of Fame Nominees…Again
He’s in the New Jersey Hall of Fame—as inducted by his friend Stevie Van Zandt—but every year that Tommy James isn’t in the Rock’n’Roll Hall of Fame, that institution becomes as tainted as today’s Supreme Court. TJ, a longtime Cedar Grove resident in Essex County, in a half-century-plus career as front-man for Tommy James & The Shondells, has had 23 gold albums, nine platinum albums, and has sold a staggering 100+ million records. He’s scored 32 Billboard “Hot 100” chart hits. His music has been played on the radio over 21 million times, according to publishing giant BMI.
Billy Idol, Joan Jett, Prince, Billy Joe Armstrong, Santana, Bruce, Kelly Clarkson, Tom Jones, Cher, R.E.M. and The Boston Pops are just a few of the artists who have covered his iconic songs. Over 60 films and 53 TV shows have used his material to evoke a certain era.
He is the only known rock star to ever have a Vice President write album liner notes (Hubert Humphrey/Crimson & Clover, 1968).
“Crystal Blue Persuasion,” “Mony Mony,” “I Think We’re Alone Now,” “Hanky Panky,” “Sweet Cherry Wine,” “Three Times In Love” and “Draggin’ The Line” are part of America’s pop-culture DNA. If that isn’t a Rock’n’Roll Hall of Fame career, we’re at a loss to know what is.
This year’s nominees are Kate Bush, Sheryl Crow, Missy Elliott, Iron Maiden, Joy Division/New Order, Cyndi Lauper, George Michael, Willie Nelson, Rage Against The Machine, Soundgarden, The Spinners, A Tribe Called Quest, The White Stripes and Warren Zevon. We congratulate all of them and await word on who makes it in.
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