Me, the Mob, and the Music

One Helluva Ride with Tommy James and the Shondells

By: Tommy James, Martin Fitzpatrick

Narrated by: David Colacci

Length: 7 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

Everyone knows the hits: "Mony Mony," "I Think We're Alone Now," "Crimson and Clover," "Crystal Blue Persuasion." They are nuggets of rock and pop history. However, few know the unlikely story of how these hits came to be. Tommy James had been performing in rock bands in the Michigan area since the age of 12. Prompted to record a few songs by a local disc jockey in 1964, Tommy chose an obscurity titled "Hanky Panky," which became a minor local hit that came and went. Then, in 1966, the record was rediscovered by a Pittsburgh DJ who started playing it on heavy rotation, prompting a tremendous response. Soon every record mogul in New York was pursuing Tommy and the band. Then an even odder thing happened: every offer except one disappeared, and Tommy found himself in the office of Morris Levy at Roulette Records, where he was handed a pen and ominously promised "one helluva ride." Morris Levy, the legendary "godfather" of the music business, needed a hit, and "Hanky Panky" would be his. The song went to number one; Tommy went on to do much more; and Levy continued to reign.

Me, the Mob, and the Music tells the intimate story of the complex and sometimes terrifying relationship between the bright-eyed, sweet-faced blonde musician from the heartland and the big, bombastic, brutal bully from the Bronx, who hustled, cheated, and swindled his way to the top of the music industry. It is also the story of this swaggering, wildly creative era of rock 'n' roll---when the hits kept coming and payola and the strong arm tactics of the mob were the norm---and what it was like, for better or worse, to be in the middle of it.

©2010 Tommy James (P)2010 Tantor

Great Audiobook and Great listening.

loved it and listened to it straight through. Tommy and the Shondells are Rock and Roll Legends.

Fascinating story!

This is an absolutely fascinating story of behind the scenes of the music business! so interesting its being made into a movie with top Hollywood players. should be out in about 2 years read this in the meantime. a eye opener for tommy fans and mob story fans couldn't put it down !

Rock, Roll and The Sopranos

Where does Me, the Mob, and the Music rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Morris Levy, Roulette Records, My Baby Does the Hanky Panky? What an incredible (and sometimes scary) ride down Memory Lane. We all know of sex, drugs and rock'n'roll. What we rarely consider is the greed, corruption and manipulation who managed the money. Tommy James tells an incredible tale, entertaining, evocative and thought-provoking. If you love rock and his music (or even if you love only one of them), this is highly recommended

Great book

A must read
This book was very informative about the mob in the music industry

I love this book

I was born in 1976. and I love this book. I love the book so much that I jumped on a plane to Biloxi just to see him perform. I've grown up with most of the music being redone in the 80s and 90s. I will make sure but every time one of your songs comes on I give us a synopsis of your life and how that story or song came to be.

Loved it cause I lived it...

Or should I say re-lived it, the era.
Wish there had been more of Tommy's music to orient the listener to his references. I was aware of his talent vocally, not at all aware of his music producing, writing abilities until listening to this---hence, would have enjoyed hearing some of it, too.
His portrayal of Morris Levy, the legend, is scary, fascinating, and objective....perhaps too objective, as he
is the most interesting, complex person in the book---what about a bio of him by Martin Fitzpatrick as a sequel?

Different Mob Story Take

What an amazing story, Interested.

Tommy James became Tommy James cause of Morris truthfully.

Definitely a good listen, Tommy was a mini Mob Boss lol.

Tommy James Great Book

The book is great. The audible version brings the book to life. Tommy us open and honest about the business and his success.

Great listen!

Very interesting history of Tommy and his musical beginnings. Extremely entertaining narration! Very enjoyable and informative.

Mobsters in Rock and Roll?

Would you listen to Me, the Mob, and the Music again? Why?

I would if I had the time. Great book, very interesting to find out how the industry was in those days.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Tommy James. It appears that he was very talented and that his talent was stiffeld because of drugs and his relationship to Morse.

Which character – as performed by David Colacci – was your favorite?

Tommy James