More Info on Tommy TutoneSimilar Undetermined MusicSearch Artistopia
Biography
Infobox musical artist | name = Tommy Tutone| image =| caption =| image_size =| background = group_or_band| birth_name =| alias =| birth_date =| death_date =| origin = California , U.S.A.| instrument =| genre = Rock music|Rock | occupation =| years_active = 1978 – present| label = Columbia Records|Columbia / Sony Music Entertainment|CBS Records Spectra Records | associated_acts = Mona Gnader| website =| current_members = Tommy Heath Jimmy James Greg Georgeson Andy Gauthier| past_members = John Cowsill Terry Nails Jon Lyons Mickey Shine Victor Carberry Jim Keller Greg Sutton Jerry Angel Joe Lamond Pete Costello| notable_instruments = Fender Telecaster Tommy Tutone is a New Wave rock band|band , best known for its 1982 chart-topper|hit " 867-5309/Jenny ", which peaked at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 . Although it is usually referred to as a San Francisco band, it was actually based in Willits, California , at the time that "Jenny" was released. The song became so popular that people in the United States to this day dial this telephone number and ask for Jenny as a prank . Regarding the famous number, "We had people threatening to sue us. It was the Buffalo, New York|Buffalo Chief of Police 's daughter's number in New York ," said frontman Tommy Heath . Although the band is frequently remembered as a one-hit wonder , it had another top-40 hit on the Hot 100 with "Angel Say No" in 1980, predating "Jenny" by a couple of years.
A common misconception is that Tommy Tutone is the name of the lead singer; it is actually the name of the band. Tommy Heath is the lead singer. The name of the band developed from its original name, Tommy and the Tu-tones, to merely Tommy Tutone.
Foundation
Heath and Jim Keller (musician)|Jim Keller founded the band in 1978, with Heath acting as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist , also playing keyboard instrument|keyboards on occasion; Keller playing lead guitar and supporting vocals. Bassist Jon Lyons (original name Jonathan Lyons Terlep) who replaced original bassist Terry Nails ( Steve Jones , Ozzy Osbourne ) was later replaced by Greg Sutton, Pete Costello, and Jimmy James. Mona Gnader, a member of Sammy Hagar 's Waborita band, played with the band as well. Original drummer Mickey Shine ( Clover (band)|Clover and drummer on the first Elvis Costello album) was replaced by Victor Carberry who in turn was replaced with Jerry Angel. Joe Lamond played drums in the mid to late eighties. John Cowsill of The Cowsills played drums (and sang) on " 867-5309/Jenny ." http://www.cowsill.com/discography/music-john.html John Cowsill Related Discography. From 2001 onward, the band has consisted of Heath, James, Greg Georgeson (guitar), Andy Gauthier (drums), and occasionally Costello.
Tommy Heath became a computer analyst and moved to Portland, Oregon where he worked for a startup called Cornerstone Revolutions , though he currently resides in Santa Rosa, California .cite web | url= http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20205331,00.html | author=Gray, Mark | title=Tommy Tutone Singer Gets Hitched in Tahoe | publisher=People | date= 2008-06-09 | accessdate=2008-06-10 In 2007, the band signed a recording contract with Spectra Records. In 2009, Tommy played Nashville and met with Phil Summers. As of 2010, Tommy has relocated to Tennessee. He is working on new music and his band continues to tour the country.
Jim Keller went on to become the director of Philip Glass's publishing company, Dunvagen Music Publishers. He still performs in New York City.
Certifications ( List of best selling music artists
Album
US cite web
US Main
CAN cite web
NZ cite web
1980
"Angel Say No"
38
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Tommy Tutone
1981
" 867-5309/ Jenny "
4
1
2
32
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Recording Industry Association of America|US : Goldcite web|url= http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php? table=SEARCH_RESULTS& artist=Tommy%20Tutone& format=SINGLE& go=Search& perPage=50|title=RIAA - Gold & Platinum - October 15, 2010: Tommy Tutone certified singles|publisher= Recording Industry Association of America |accessdate=October 15, 2010
Tommy Tutone 2
1983
"Get Around Girl"
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National Emotion
"—" denotes releases that did not chart
References
Reflist
External links
official website| http://www.tutone.com
Allmusic|class=artist|id=p5717
http://www.bay-area-bands.com/bab00025.htm Bay Area Bands link
Category:Rock music groups from California Category:American power pop groups Category:American pop rock music groups Category:Musical groups established in 1978
