ABSTRACT
A Dayton, Ohio, native, Tommy James began performing with his group, the Shondells, at school dances, auditoriums, and other area venues at the age of 12. The group would occasionally cut records for small companies, including a song called “Hanky Panky” for the Snap label in 1960 (sources differ regarding this date, some placing it as late as 1963). More than five years later, a KDKA, Pittsburgh, disc jockey played the record on his program; it quickly became the most requested single in that radio market. Roulette Records acquired the rights to “Hanky Panky”(Roulette 4686), and it reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in July 1966.
