Review and Photos by Fred Kuhlman
Promoter: Danny Zelisko Presents (https://dzplive.com/ )
Venue: Celebrity Theatre (https://celebritytheatre.com/ )
Date: February 1st, 2025
Growing up in the 60s I gained my love of music. Having a sister that was 6 years older helped introduce me to music at an early ago. I loved the Pop, Motown sound and beach music that first emerged. I then fell in love with the psychedelic (Acid Rock) music and progressive rock that followed. Now I am a Classic Rock and Metal Head. However, whenever I can I always try to attempt to see artists from the 60s and early 70s that bring me back to my roots.
Tonight was one of those nights. Two great bands that emerged in the 60s were on stage at the Celebrity Theatre here in Phoenix, AZ. First up was The Association, followed by Tommy James.
The Association did about a 45-minute set that covered all of their classic hits including my personal favorite, “Windy”. It was a mixture of music and story telling about the band, its members and their musical career. They talked about their huge breakout performance as the first band to perform during the1967 Monterrey Pops Festival. I had seen The Association before during their tour with the Happy Together tour. That time they only played 3 songs. It was fantastic to see them play a longer set with more of their great classic hits.
The current band consists of Jules Alexander (Vocals & guitar), Jim Yester (Vocals & guitar), Bruce Pictor (Drums & vocals), Paul Holland (Bass, vocals & keyboards), Del Ramos (vocals & bass), Jordan Cole (vocals, guitar & keyboards).
After a short break to reset the stage, Tommy James came on to a standing ovation. The first song was his mega hit, “Draggin’ the Line”. From there it was hit after hit (see setlist below). Song after song, the crowd ate it up. There were multiple standing ovations and at times the crowd would sing along. By the end of the set, the fans were in heaven having just heard some of the greatest songs from the 60s and early 70s.
During the set, Tommy talked about his career and how he was involved with the New York mafia though his record label. He told us that it was both good and bad. The good part at Roulette Records, he was their main hit producer and they made sure his songs got play time. If he would have been at one of the big record labels he doubts his songs would have been as big of hits and gotten play time. The bad was lack of compensation. If you want to read a really good book on his career and the record industry in the 60s and early 70s then I highly recommend his book, “Me, The Mod and The Music”.
Toward the end of the set, Tommy got off of the stage and moved through the crowd shaking fans hands and taking photos with them. This is a personal touch that Tommy does at all of the shows I have seen him at and the fans love it.
The other thing about Tommy James, is that his music is so good that a large number of other performers have performed his songs and some even made hits of them. “Crimson & Clover” and “Crystal Blue Persuasion” are just a couple that were covered by major artists.
I have seen Tommy a few times before and each show has been fantastic. I rarely go backstage to meet with the artists. They are extremely busy and I don’t like bothering them. But I was lucky enough to meet Tommy prior to the show and get him to autograph my copy of his book. He was an extremely nice person. I would like to thank Tommy and Carol for this opportunity. It was definitely one on the highlights of my career.
If you love 60s and early 70s music, then this is a show to see. It features two of the greats from that era. Just listening to that music brought back fond members of being a carefree kid and just grooving to the sound. Check out the social media pages bellow for dates and cities where these bands will be performing. I know that if you go you will have a fantastic time. Good luck and let the music keep you grooving.
Tommy James Social Media sites:
Website: https://www.tommyjames.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TJandtheShondells
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tommyjamesandtheshondells/
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/TJShondells
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/discover/tommy-james-and-the-shondells
The Association Social Media sites:
Website: https://www.theassociationwebsite.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheAssociation/
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1xTzc2q-KzBPxIZ6vHViqQ
Tommy James
Photos © Fred Kuhlman 2024, All Rights Reserved
The Association
Photos © Fred Kuhlman 2024, All Rights Reserved
Tommy James Setlist:
Draggin’ the Line
Crystal Blue Persuasion
Say I Am
Gettin’ Together
I Think We’re Alone Now (acoustic)
Ball of Fire
Tighter, Tighter
Crimson & Clover
Hanky Panky
I Think We’re Alone Now
Do Something to Me
Mony Mony
I Feel So Good
Encore:
Sweet Cherry Wine
Mirage
Mony Mony (Reprise)
The Association Setlist:
Windy
Everything That Touches You
Enter the Young
Never My Love
Requiem for the Masses
Six Man Band
Cherish
Along Comes Mary
Windy (Reprise)
