Tommy Tutone

Tommy 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, they did reach the Top 40 the year before with "Angel Say No".

Tommy Tutone
Tommy Tutone 2017
Jimmy James (L), Tommy Heath (R)
Background information
OriginCalifornia, U.S.
GenresRock, pop rock, power pop, new wave
Years active1978–1984, 1996–present
LabelsColumbia/CBS Records
Spectra Records
MembersTommy Heath
Jimmy James
Steve Fister
Kerry Movassagh
Past members
  • Jerry Angel
  • Victor Carberry
  • Pete Costello
  • John Cowsill
  • Mona Gnader
  • Jim Keller
  • Joe Lamond
  • Jon Lyons
  • Terry Nails
  • Mickey Shine
  • Greg Sutton
  • Greg Georgeson
  • Andy Gauthier
Websitetutone.com

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 founding member Terry Nails, but was soon himself replaced by Greg Sutton, Pete Costello, and more recently Jimmy James. Mona Gnader, the bassist in Sammy Hagar's The Waboritas band, played with the band as well. Original drummer Kenny Johnson (of Chris Isaak's band) was replaced by Mickey Shine (Clover and the first Elvis Costello album), then Victor Carberry for the band's second album, and later Jerry Angel. John Cowsill of The Cowsills played percussion (and sang) on "867-5309/Jenny".[1] From 2001 to 2010, the band consisted of Heath, James, Greg Georgeson (guitar), and Andy Gauthier (drums). By 2012, Tommy Heath had become 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
  • Release date: September 23, 1981
  • Label: Columbia/CBS Records
 20 44
1983 National Emotion
  • Release date: April 16, 1983
  • Label: Columbia/CBS Records
 179 —
1996 Nervous Love
  • Release date: January 22, 1996
  • Label: Appaloosa Records
  • Note: re-released in 2011 as A Long Time Ago
 — —
1998 Tutone.rtf
  • Release date: July 28, 1998
  • Label: Secret Disc Records
 — —
2019 Beautiful Ending
  • Release date: May 9, 2019
  • Label: One Music Group
 — —
"—" 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" — — — — —
2018 "When You Walk In the Room " — — — — —
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

References
  1. John Cowsill Related Discography.
  2. 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.
  3. Wells, Shannon (2013-11-15). "Tommy Tutone leader finds there's life well after 'Jenny'". Portland Tribune - Pamplin Media Group. Retrieved 2017-03-15.
  4. Baynes, Luke (2012-05-31). "Life after 'Jenny'". Williston Observer. Retrieved 2017-03-15.
  5. "allmusic ((( Tommy Tutone > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles )))". Allmusic. Retrieved October 15, 2010.
  6. "Results - RPM - Library and Archives Canada - Top Albums/CDs". RPM. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved October 15, 2010.
  7. "allmusic ((( Tommy Tutone > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles )))". Allmusic. Retrieved October 15, 2010.
  8. "Results - RPM - Library and Archives Canada - Top Singles". RPM. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved October 15, 2010.
  9. 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.
  10. "charts.nz - New Zealand charts portal". charts.nz. Retrieved October 15, 2010.
  11. "RIAA - Gold & Platinum - October 15, 2010: Tommy Tutone certified singles". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved October 15, 2010.
  12. "Which Man Are You" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number 1 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart.
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