Interview: Tommy James on How “Crimson and Clover” Became a Psychedelic #1 Hit by Accident

Coming up….this artist had dabbled in a lot of different styles to great effect but then he rolled out of bed one day with an awesome song idea… Tommy James and the Shondells would go through the ringer to get Crimson and Clover done. With some serious musical experimentation that regulated in a vocal that sounded like it was underwater. No one had heard anything like. it. He did the whole thing in a couple of hours merely putting his two favorite words together which people thought had a profound message even though it meant nothing. He had the artistic freedom to do this because the Mafia or Mob ran his label and let him do whatever he wanted! As he created layers of immaculate sounds and off the wall lyrics it all came together around cool guitar effect that’s grand result was a sound unlike anything of the radio ever. It was played without consent… without permission by a DJ that Tommy had showed a rough mix of the demo to privately. Well the DJ had recorded it, unbeknownst to Tommy and played it within minutes of tommy leaving the station. It went crazy, hitting #1 instantly. Tommy James tells the story of this incredible 60s #1 Psychedelic record.

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