Rock Hall Induction Ceremony: Tommy James to Perform ‘Crimson & Clover’ With Joan Jett
Tommy James is attending this weekend’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction festivities as a proud Ohioan — and with plenty of good news.
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On Friday (April 17) James shared with Billboard that he will be joining 2015 inductee Joan Jett & the Blackhearts during Saturday’s ceremony to perform their shared hit, “Crimson and Clover,” which James and his Shondells released in 1968 and Jett and company covered in 1982.
“It’s meant a lot,” said James of Jett’s version of the song. “She had a No. 1 record with it, just like we did, and it has ended up being probably the biggest-selling single we ever had, so I’m thrilled. I’m thrilled to be here.”
As for the Shondells getting into the Rock Hall some day, the 67-year-old James offered: “When it’s our turn, we’ll go. That’s the way I look at it.”
James, meanwhile, has his hands full with his own upcoming projects. Next month, he’ll start recording a new album, which will be called Acoustictronic. As he explained: “It’s all acoustic instruments, using them in place of electronic instruments in some really key places, lke crunch guitar and things like that. … It’s gonna be a really fun album to do, and we’re having a great time.”
Meanwhile, a film adaptation of his 2010 memoir, Me, The Mob and The Music, is being adapted into a film by producer Barbara De Fina (Goodfellas, Casino, The Color of Money) and written by Matthew Stone. “We’re looking at about two years” before it’s in theaters, according to James. Who will play him? “Oh God, I don’t know,” he said. “I’ll let the grownups figure it out.”
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