Tommy Tutone
Tommy Tutone | |
---|---|
![]() Jimmy James (l), Tommy Heath (r) | |
Background information | |
Origin | California, U.S. |
Genres | Rock, pop rock, power pop, new wave |
Years active | 1978–1984 1996–present |
Labels | Columbia/CBS Records Spectra Records |
Members | Tommy Heath Jimmy James Steve Fister Andy Gauthier |
Past members | John Cowsill Terry Nails Jon Lyons Mickey Shine Victor Carberry Jerry Angel Jim Keller Greg Sutton Joe Lamond Pete Costello Mona Gnader |
Website | www.tutone.com |
Tommy Tutone is a power pop band, best known for its 1981 hit "867-5309/Jenny", which peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100. Although it is usually referred to as a San Francisco band, it was actually based in Willits, California, at the time that "Jenny" was released. The song became so popular that people in the United States to this day dial this telephone number and ask for Jenny as a prank. Regarding the famous number, "We had people threatening to sue us. It was the Buffalo Chief of Police's daughter's number in New York," said frontman Tommy Heath.
A common misconception is that Tommy Tutone is the name of the lead singer; it is actually the name of the band. Tommy Heath is the lead singer. The name of the band developed from its original name, Tommy and the Tu-tones, to merely Tommy Tutone.
Foundation
Tommy Heath and Jim Keller founded the band in 1978, with Heath acting as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist, also playing keyboards on occasion; Keller playing lead guitar and supporting vocals. Heath and Keller were the only constant members of Tommy Tutone during the band's heyday, and the lineup featured a rotating membership of bassists and drummers. Bassist Jon Lyons (original name Jonathan Lyons Terlep), who performed on "867-5309," replaced original bassist, Terry Nails (Steve Jones, Ozzy Osbourne). However, Lyons was soon replaced by Greg Sutton, later Pete Costello, and more recently Jimmy James. Mona Gnader, the bassist in Sammy Hagar's Waborita band, played with the band as well. Original drummer Mickey Shine (Clover and drummer on the first Elvis Costello album) was replaced by Victor Carberry for the band's second album. Carberry was in turn replaced with Jerry Angel. John Cowsill of The Cowsills played percussion (and sang) on "867-5309/Jenny."[1] From 2001-2010, the band has consisted of Heath, James, Greg Georgeson (guitar), Andy Gauthier (drums). Tommy Heath became a computer analyst and software engineer and moved to Portland, Oregon.[2][3] In 2007, the band signed a recording contract with Spectra Records.
In 2017 with the addition of Steve Fister (Steppenwolf, Lita Ford) on guitar, Jimmy James switched to drums and the band released the single "My Little Red Book".
Jim Keller went on to become the director of Philip Glass's publishing company, Dunvagen Music Publishers. [4] He still performs in New York City.
Discography
Studio albums
Year | Album details | Peak chart positions | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US [5] |
CAN [6] | ||||||||
1980 | Tommy Tutone
|
68 | 82 | ||||||
1981 | Tommy Tutone 2
|
20 | 44 | ||||||
1983 | National Emotion
|
179 | — | ||||||
1996 | Nervous Love
|
— | — | ||||||
1998 | Tutone.rtf
|
— | — | ||||||
"—" denotes releases that did not chart |
Singles
Year | Single | Peak chart positions | Certifications (sales threshold) |
Album | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US [7] |
US Main [7] |
CAN [8] |
NZ [9] | ||||||
1980 | "Angel Say No" | 38 | — | — | — | Tommy Tutone | |||
1981 | "867-5309/Jenny" | 4 | 1 | 2 | 32 | Tommy Tutone 2 | |||
1982 | "Which Man Are You" | 101 | — | — | — | ||||
1983 | "Get Around Girl" | — | — | — | — | National Emotion | |||
2017 | "My Little Red Book" | — | — | — | — | ||||
"—" denotes releases that did not chart |
References
- ^ John Cowsill Related Discography.
- ^ Staff (2012-08-08). "Where Are They Now? 1982's Biggest Pop Acts-Catch up with A Flock of Seagulls, Toni Basil, Tommy Tutone and more though". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2017-03-15.
- ^ Wells, Shannon (2013-11-15). "Tommy Tutone leader finds there's life well after 'Jenny'". Portland Tribune - Pamplin Media Group. Retrieved 2017-03-15.
- ^ Baynes, Luke (2012-05-31). "Life after 'Jenny'". Williston Observer. Retrieved 2017-03-15.
- ^ "allmusic ((( Tommy Tutone > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles )))". Allmusic. Retrieved October 15, 2010.
- ^ "Results - RPM - Library and Archives Canada - Top Albums/CDs". RPM. Retrieved October 15, 2010.
{{cite web}}
: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=
(help) - ^ a b "allmusic ((( Tommy Tutone > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles )))". Allmusic. Retrieved October 15, 2010.
- ^ "Results - RPM - Library and Archives Canada - Top Singles". RPM. Retrieved October 15, 2010.
{{cite web}}
: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=
(help) - ^ "charts.org.nz - New Zealand charts portal". charts.org.nz. Retrieved October 15, 2010.
- ^ "RIAA - Gold & Platinum - October 15, 2010: Tommy Tutone certified singles". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved October 15, 2010.