Photos by Andy Argyrakis

No doubt about it, Tommy James & The Shondells were certainly one of the leading rock groups of the late 1960s into the early ’70s, yet their popularity only grew in the subsequent decades after being remade by everyone from Billy Idol to Tiffany, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, Tom Jones, R.E.M., Dolly Parton, Santana, Weezer, Prince and plenty more.

Even though the famed front man is knocking at the door of 80-years-old, they remain a top touring attraction thanks to notching more than a dozen Top 40 hits in a mere four years, selling over 100 million records and beating out The Beatles in 1969.

In fact, the author of the memoir turned future movie/musical “Me, The Mob, And The Music,” the host of SiriusXM’s “Gettin’ Together” and all-around Midwestern hero continues filling prominent places such as the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan, where for 90 straight minutes, it was a golden oldies revue that still came across as relevant in the right here and now.

One of the reasons was James and the latest line-up of The Shondells are as passionate of performers as ever, similar to their latest live release “Rock Party,” whether it was no nonsense renditions of the solo “Draggin’ The Line” or the collaborative “Crystal Blue Persuasion.”

The especially iconic “I Think We’re Alone Now” was given an acoustic treatment early on to represent a pivotal scene in the forthcoming film, followed by a fully amplified version a little later with the classic “Crimson & Clover” and their light-hearted take on The Raindrops’ “Hanky Panky” in between.

James was indeed a “Ball Of Fire” throughout it all, rollicking through his own “Tighter, Tighter,” while leaving enough room in “Do Something To Me” to further feature the five musicians.

The legendary leader often cracked jokes and expressed appreciation to the audience of varying ages, plus got a little closer to them as a bit of “Mony Mony” bled into “I Feel So Good” and a full band jam.

That’s precisely how the Genesee felt as Tommy James & The Shondells more than earned a lengthy encore, including the choice cuts “Sweet Cherry Wine” and “Mirage,” and arguably most appropriately, a reprise of “Mony Mony” as frenzied fans answered each affirmative call with a scream of a response.

For additional information on Tommy James & The Shondells, visit TommyJames.com.

Upcoming shows at the Genesee Theatre include The Wailin’ Jennys (Jun. 12); AVTT/PTTN (Jun. 20); Hallmark Stars Live (Aug. 1); Billy Bob Thornton & The Boxmasters (Aug. 8); Band Of Horses (Aug. 9); Violent Femmes (Aug. 16); Michael Feinstein (Aug. 27); “Whose Live Anyway?” (Sept. 11); Steely Dane (Sept. 18); Brit Floyd (Sept. 24-25); Chelsea Handler (Oct. 8); World Ballet Company: “Swan Lake” (Oct. 9); Taylorville (Oct. 10); Alton Brown (Oct. 17); Jo Dee Messina (Oct. 23); Jefferson Starship (Oct. 24); LeAnn Rimes (Nov. 6); Patti LaBelle (Nov. 14) and Sara Evans (Nov. 19). For additional details, visit GeneseeTheatre.com.

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