Tommy James and the Shondells delivered some of the most iconic rock hits of the 1960s. However, the band had an intriguing opportunity that they ultimately passed on—they could have recorded a song written by George Harrison. Tommy James recently shared why they declined this offer.
George Harrison Wrote Songs Inspired by Tommy James and the Shondells’ Hit ‘Mony Mony’
A 2009 article from Songfacts debunked a rumor about The Beatles writing a song for Tommy James and the Shondells. James clarified the situation, explaining how George Harrison became involved.
At the time, The Beatles had launched Apple Records and were looking to collaborate with other artists. James and his band had just released their UK hit “Mony Mony,” which caught Harrison’s attention.
“So George Harrison was working with a group called Grapefruit, and George and these fellas wrote a bunch of these songs for us that they sent over to my manager, Lenny Stogel,” James said. “We were very flattered, but they all sounded like ‘Mony Mony.’”
Why Tommy James and the Shondells Rejected George Harrison’s Songs
James explained the band’s reasoning for turning down the tracks: “By that time, we had decided to move forward with ‘Crimson and Clover’ and really change our style,” he revealed. “So we never did these songs.”
In hindsight, it’s fascinating to imagine what a collaboration between George Harrison and Tommy James and the Shondells might have sounded like. However, the band’s decision to embrace a new musical direction with “Crimson and Clover” proved to be a pivotal moment in their career.
