Mike Vale, Ron Rosman and Eddie Gray, former original members of Tommy James And The Shondells, will be rockin' the Parade this year when they perform "Mony Mony" and more!
From the spring of 1966 through 1970, while signed to New York based Roulette Records, Tommy James And The Shondells released 20 Singles, all of which charted nationally and 10 of which were certified gold. They also released 12 albums, 2 of which were certified platinum. Over the 2 year period from 1968 through 1969 were the largest selling Singles act in the world!
At the peak of their careers however, The Shondells went off in one direction and James another. 45 years have past since Mike Vale, Ron Rosman and Eddie Gray, original members of the group have shared a concert stage. Well,..that is about to change!
Yes, the same Shondells who co-wrote, recorded and toured the world promoting, their great hits, "Crystal Blue Persuasion", "Crimson And Clover", "Mony Mony", "Sweet Cherry Wine", "I Think Were Alone Now", "Ball Of Fire" and numerous others, have announced plans to reunite and launch their "50 Year Reunion Tour" beginning in the spring of 2015.
"We have been asked countless times over the years by friends and fans, when are you guys going get out and play together again", Mike Vale, Bass Player and songwriter with the group said. "The fact is that while we have all remained very active musically, the twists and turns within our individual lives have kept it from happening until now. Thank God, the stars have recently aligned in a way to bring us back together.
Although The Shondells did get together with Tommy James in 2011 briefly to help write and record a Christmas album, the group will be touring without TJ who continues to perform with his own group of musicians.
Mike, Ed and Ron, along with fellow Shondell, Peter Lucia, who has since passed away, were often guests on TV's most popular shows of the day like "The Ed Sullivan Show"(twice), "American Bandstand" (3 times), "The Dating Game", "Joey Bishop" and many more.
Their songs have been featured in numerous motion pictures such as "Forest Gump", "Zodiac", "The Nanny Diaries", "Monster", "Walk On The Moon", "Expendables ll and others. And, at times, they found themselves involved in situations never before then imagined like touring the country with then Vice President, Hubert Humphrey in support of his 1968 Presidential Campaign
Since the group initially disbanded in 1970, Mike Vale has written and recorded 7 albums both as a solo artist and for others. The latest is his "In My Dreams" album on Slamtrack Records. Ron Rosman has remained very active recording and performing Gospel Music including his latest album, "My Offering". Ed Gray, in addition to performing, owns and operates a recording studio in the Pittsburgh area in which he has recorded and produced a variety of successful acts.
When asked why The Shondells chose to begin performing again now and, why without James, Vale said, "As I mentioned before, Tommy is off doing his own thing and we're happy for him. As to why us..and why now, it's simple! When one looks at the songwriting credits on both our hits and album cuts you will see the names of the original Shondells on many of them. When you listen to our songs you will hear the voices and instruments of Pete, Eddie, Ron and myself. If one looks at the albums, the photos and videos and TV shows, the faces you will see are those of the original guys. Look, this group has some very talented writers and performers who have always been key contributors to the groups success and are still quite capable of doing the same again. What would someone have us do, roll over and play dead? The question should not be why now but, what took you so long?"
The group's reunion tour will begin around April 1st of the coming year in or around Pittsburgh at a site to be announced after the first of the year.
For information regarding the group or its upcoming itinerary please email mvucish@aol.com.
WPXI
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