Kauffman Center Hosted Tommy James & The Shondells Live in Concert
It felt as though we were living in the opening montage sequence of an early-’70s film when Tommy James and The Shondells took to the Muriel Kauffman Theatre stage at Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Kansas City, MO on April 1, 2023. The lights dropped, the band emerged and fans were instantly electrified by that oh so recognizable rift of “Draggin’ the Line,” Tommy’s biggest solo hit as heard on his “Christian of the World” album. That set the tone for the entire night as the legendary rock group thrilled the crowd with a load of pop culture staples.
From bumping to “Draggin’ the Line” to the ooh-ahhs of “Say I Am” to singing along to “Mony Mony,” Tommy James and The Shondells had fans of an amazing generation—the golden age—reliving and reveling in that time’s greatest and most transcendent rock ‘n’ roll sounds. We were treated to both acoustic and electric renditions of “I Think We’re Alone Now,” the acoustic version of which was produced for an upcoming biopic entitled “Me, the Mob and the Music.” The tune reached No. 4 the band in 1967 and was re-popularized when Tiffany covered it in 1987.
The night was filled with a lot of hits. Tommy James and The Shondells reached the top of the charts with their cover of “Hanky Panky” and their original song “Crimson & Clover.” In all, they had 14 songs land in the Top 40 and five in the Top 10. Possibly the enduring and fan favorite was “Mony Mony.” That one had fans out of their seats beside themselves with utter excitement. It was also popularly covered by Billy Idol in 1981. All to that many artists have covered the band throughout the years, including Prince, Bruce Springsteen and Joan Jett.
A long-running tradition, Tommy James took to the crowd during “Mony Mony” to shake hands with his fans and thank them for their five plus decades of support. While he traversed around the orchestra section with fans swarming down from the parterre, The Shondells continued to entertain for all of the fans farther back with its stunning instrumentals and backing lyrics—”you make me feel.” I reprise of the tune would later gratify the crowd to close out the evening.
Tommy James wore his new Kansas City Royals jersey when he and the band retook the stage for their encore. Tommy had earlier in the day threw out the first pitched at our beloved team’s baseball game. They dazzled fans with “Sweet Cherry Wine” and “Mirage” before stunning us one last time with “Mony Mony.” It was the most perfect concert leading into Holy Week as Tommy ended the night by spreading the good word of our Lord and Savior. “Keep looking up,” he exclaimed as he pointed to the sky. “Keep looking up, Jesus is coming!” “God bless you all,” he added as he exited stage right. God bless you too, Tommy!
Tommy James Setlist at Kauffman Center in Kansas City on April 1, 2023:
“Draggin’ the Line” (Tommy James), “Crystal Blue Persuasion,” “Say I Am,” “I Think We’re Alone Now” (acoustic), “Ball of Fire,” “Tighter, Tighter” (Tommy James), “Crimson & Clover,” “Hanky Panky” (The Raindrops),” “I Think We’re Alone Now,” “Do Something to Me” and “Mony Mony”;Encore – “Sweet Cherry Wine” and “Mirage”/”Mony Mony”
