Who Is Tommy James? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Tommy James, an American musician renowned for his contributions to rock and pop music, was born on April 29, 1947. As of 2025, he is 77 years old. With a career that spans several decades, James has created numerous hits, including classics like "Crimson and Clover" and "Mony Mony". His unique style and musical talent have earned him a dedicated fan base and significant acclaim in the music industry. His Wikipedia page provides a comprehensive overview of his discography, awards, and milestones.
| Occupation | Rock Singer |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | April 29, 1947 |
| Age | 78 Years |
| Birth Place | Dayton, Ohio, US |
| Horoscope | Taurus |
| Country | U.S |
Popularity
Tommy James's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Tommy James stands at an impressive height of approximately 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm). Although his weight has fluctuated throughout his career, he is currently around 160 lbs (73 kg). James maintains a fit physique, which he attributes to his active lifestyle and love for music, often performing on stage.
It was evident when James first met Morris Levy of Roulette Records that Levy was willing to strong-arm others when necessary. While a Roulette artist had great creative control when recording for the company, the lack of payment for those efforts was difficult to take. James estimates the company owed him $30 to $40 million in royalties.
Roulette was used as a front for organized crime, also functioning as a money laundering operation, as Levy was closely allied with the Genovese crime family.
In the early 1970s, the Genovese outfit found itself in a bloody gang war with the Gambino family, which saw victims not only among mobsters (such as Levy's close friend and business partner Thomas Eboli), but increasingly among non-mob figures on the periphery of the organizations.
Levy had taken a somewhat fatherly shine to James, and worried that he might be a target for those who wanted to get at the Genovese family through Levy, so he warned James to flee New York for an extended period until the war was over. In 1971, James settled in Nashville, Tennessee, where the Mafia had little presence or influence.
While there, he recorded an album with top Nashville musicians entitled My Head, My Bed and My Red Guitar (January 1972), which received critical acclaim but sold poorly.
He left Roulette Records in 1974 and two more albums, In Touch (July 1976) and Midnight Rider (January 1978), followed on Fantasy Records, with yet another, Three Times in Love, appearing on Millennium Records in late 1979. The independent label Aegis Records put out his Hi-Fi album in the summer of 1990.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
As of 2025, Tommy James is in a committed relationship with his partner, whose name has not been publicly revealed. While the couple has managed to keep their relationship relatively private, they are often seen attending events together. Tommy has been married twice in the past and has children from those relationships. His family remains an important part of his life, and he frequently expresses gratitude for their support throughout his musical journey.
James moved to Clifton, New Jersey in the mid 1970s and circa 2000 to nearby Cedar Grove. He has been married three times and has one child. On February 23, 2022, his wife Lynda died after a prolonged illness.
Net Worth and Salary
Tommy James has enjoyed a lucrative career in music, and as of 2025, his estimated net worth is around $30 million. His earnings stem from record sales, live performances, and royalties from his extensive catalog of songs. Despite the ups and downs of the music industry, James has managed to maintain a stable financial status, thanks to savvy investments and his continued relevance in the music scene.
Career, Business, and Investments
Tommy James' career took off in the 1960s with the formation of Tommy James and the Shondells. They produced a string of successful albums and singles, solidifying James' place in rock history. Over the years, he has evolved as an artist, exploring various genres and collaborating with notable musicians.
In addition to his music career, James has ventured into business, including music production and songwriting for others. He has also invested wisely in properties and related industries, which has contributed to his financial success beyond music.
In 1959, at the age of twelve, James formed the band "The Echoes", which eventually became "Tom and the Tornadoes". In 1964, the band changed its name to The Shondells. That same year, Jack Douglas, a local DJ at WNIL radio station in Niles, formed his own record label, Snap Records.
The Shondells were one of the local bands he recorded at WNIL Studios. One of the songs was the Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich ditty "Hanky Panky", which the pair had recorded under the name The Raindrops. The song was a hit locally, but the label had no resources for national promotion, and it was soon forgotten.
Social Network
Tommy James maintains an active presence on social media, connecting with fans across various platforms. He can be found on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, where he shares updates about his life, music, and upcoming shows. His social media accounts also feature behind-the-scenes content from his performances and insights into his personal life, allowing fans to engage more deeply with his journey.
"Crimson and Clover" was a huge success, and the group would have two follow-up hits that also reached the Hot 100's top 10, "Sweet Cherry Wine" and "Crystal Blue Persuasion".
James, who co-wrote all three of those songs (with Peter Lucia, Richie Grasso, and Eddie Gray & Mike Vale, respectively), and his band did well enough with the transition to be invited to perform at Woodstock.
James describes Artie Kornfeld's invitation like this: "Artie was up and asked if you could play at this pig farm up in upstate New York." I said, "What?!?" "Well, they say it's gonna be a lot of people there, and it's gonna be a really important show." At the time James was in Hawaii and was incredulous about being asked to travel 6,000 miles to p
lay a show on an upstate New York pig farm, telling the Roulette Records' secretary Karin Grasso, "If I'm not there, start without us, will you please?"
Education
Tommy James attended local schools in Niles, Michigan, where he developed an early interest in music. Although he did not pursue higher education, his passion for music and talent were evident from a young age. James credits his life experiences and the music industry as his ultimate educators, shaping him into the artist he is today.
