It’s all crimson and clover as N.J. singer Tommy James marries longtime manager in rock wedding

For Tommy James, it was a match made in music.

The lead singer of the band Tommy James and The Shondells, who shot to fame as a teen in the 1960s and went on to have a solo career, is a newlywed.

James, 77, married his longtime manager, Carol Ross, in New Jersey Saturday.

The New Jersey Hall of Famer, who calls Cedar Grove home, celebrated the nuptials at the township’s Il Tulipano wedding venue.

Tommy James and The Shondells are known for No. 1 hits like “Hanky Panky” (1966) and “Crimson and Clover” (1968).

The band recorded other popular songs like “I Think We’re Alone Now” (1967), “Mony Mony” (1968) and “Crystal Blue Persuasion” (1969) before breaking up in 1970.

“Draggin’ the Line” (1971) and “Three Times in Love” (1979) are among James’ solo hits.

The hitmaker was born in Ohio and grew up in Indiana, Wisconsin and Michigan, where the Shondells started. He moved to New Jersey in the 1970s, first residing in Clifton.

James was married to his previous wife, Lynda Jackson, for 50 years after meeting in 1972 when she was working as a booking agent for a talent agency. She died in 2022 after a long illness.

Guests at James and Ross’ wedding included fellow musicians and rock royalty.

James’ current Shondells bandmates Jonathn Ashe, Mike DiMeo, Glen Wyka, Benny Harrison and Greg Smith were there to see him tie the knot.

Singer-songwriter Kate Taylor, James Taylor’s sister, performed at the wedding.

Others at the reception included guitarist Ricky Byrd, who was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, and fellow Rock Hall of Famer Gene Cornish, guitarist from the Garfield band The Rascals.

Also in attendance: “Dallas” actor Deborah Rennard (Sly Lovegren) and “Sopranos” actor Al Sapienza (Mikey Palmice).

Tommy James hosts a radio show on the SiriusXM channel 60s Gold called “Gettin’ Together with Tommy James.”

His Sirius colleague Lou Simon, host of “The Jukebox Diner with Lou Simon" on the same channel, was also at the wedding.

Tommy James and the Shondells will play BergenPAC in Englewood Sunday, June 22 at 8 p.m.; visit Ticketmaster or BergenPAC for ticket information.

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Amy Kuperinsky may be reached at akuperinsky@njadvancemedia.com and followed at @AmyKup on Twitter/X, @amykup.bsky.social on Bluesky and @kupamy on Instagram and Threads.