Tommy Tutone
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Article ImagesTommy Tutone is an American power pop band, known for its 1981 hit "867-5309/Jenny", which peaked at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100. Though some people consider the band to be a one-hit wonder, it did reach the Top 40 the year before with "Angel Say No".
Tommy Tutone | |
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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 Jeff Gray |
Past members |
|
Website | tutone |
History
Tommy Heath and Jim Keller founded the band in 1978 along with bassist Terry Nails (Steve Jones, Ozzy Osbourne), with Heath acting as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist, also playing keyboards on occasion; Keller played lead guitar and Terry Nails playing bass and providing 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 and founding member Terry Nails. 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 Kenny Johnson of Chris Isaak's band was replaced by 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 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.
In 2019, the band released their first studio album since 1998, Beautiful Ending.
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
|
— | — | ||||||
2019 | Beautiful Ending
|
— | — | ||||||
"—" denotes releases that did not chart |
Singles
Year | Single | Peak chart positions | Certifications (sales threshold) |
Album | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US [7] |
US Main [7] |
CAN [8] |
AUS [9] |
NZ [10] | ||||||
1980 | "Angel Say No" | 38 | — | — | — | — | Tommy Tutone | |||
1981 | "867-5309/Jenny" | 4 | 1 | 2 | 22 | 32 | Tommy Tutone 2 | |||
1982 | "Which Man Are You" | —[12] | — | — | — | — | ||||
1983 | "Get Around Girl" | — | — | — | — | — | National Emotion | |||
2017 | "My Little Red Book" | — | — | — | — | — | Non-album singles | |||
2018 | "Time Won't Let Me" | — | — | — | — | — | ||||
"—" 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. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved October 15, 2010.
- ^ a b "allmusic ((( Tommy Tutone > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles )))". Allmusic. Retrieved October 15, 2010.
- ^ "Results - RPM - Library and Archives Canada - Top Singles". RPM. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved October 15, 2010.
- ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 311. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- ^ "charts.nz - New Zealand charts portal". charts.nz. Retrieved October 15, 2010.
- ^ "RIAA - Gold & Platinum - October 15, 2010: Tommy Tutone certified singles". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved October 15, 2010.
- ^ "Which Man Are You" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number 1 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart.