How refreshing to hear an artist respect the original version of a hit! Tommy is in terrific form and his band is stellar! The harmonies, the playing, the mix, blown away. Pop craftsmanship of the first order.
I am truly amazed at just how good he and the band sound "live" on these clips from The Bitter End club, especially given the size of the venue; not to mention the passage of time (40-plus years!). His voice has held up very well, indeed!
Took me 50 some years to realize how great these guys are… In my teens I heard them on the air and liked em but never really got into them…I was busy with Hendrix and those heavy 60’s bands… At 71 I’m proud to announce I started my day with Tommy and my Bose headphones…
My all-time favorite song. I've listened to this thousands of times over the years and it never, never gets old. Thanks, Tommy James, for this incredible song!
I remember sitting at the drive in listening to this song. It was one of their bumper songs they play before the movies and during the intermission. Sometimes, I wish I had a time machine...
Emma Crawford I'm with you girlfriend. I'd hop in that time machine with you without a second thought just to go back for all the awesome music back then!!
What an Awesome song. I remember growing up and hearing this song. Wow to have those years back. Songs like this just don't get written anymore. Hopefully people don't forget the simpler things and times in our lives!!
This is from the DVD Tommy James & The Shondells Live at the Bitter End. Buy the DVD and support Tommy James. His autobiography Me, The Mob, and The Music is also a hoot. Yep, I think Crystal Blue Persuasion is one of the best pop songs ever written.
My ALL TIME Favorite Pop Song....My friend has seen countless musical groups & said T.J. & Shondells were the Best Show Ever...1969 was all over the a.m. radio & for me Travelling to ALL 48 States that summer....Ohhh YEAH
Wow!! First let me say that this is a wonderful song and I didn't think they would pull-this-of very well live, but man was this gr8!!!!! Thank you so much for posting this!!
This is better then the recorded version. Tommy has an amazing voice. I love these songs as they are from my parents high school years and I was raised on them. I sometimes think us gen X'ers are really lucky because we grew up on all the classic FM and all the stuff from the 80s/90s that was still good. I feel bad for our kids, at least they can hear these songs from us.
I have watched several of these clips and have enjoyed each one of them. Great performer. The keyboard player on the left appears to have never left the sixties or studies tapes of the sixties during his free time. Definitely good music and entertainment. Tommy James is very talented. I have tried to find this CD in various music stores and none have it.
I just found this gem yesterday, and I can't stop watching it! I've always loved this song, and I have to say, this live performance is even better than the studio version. So glad I found this!
love this group...awesomeness...my parents got me this cassette when i was like 13..i wore it out!!! hey...my name is shonna dale... i wonder if...maybe i'm..naa..just a coincidence i reckon.. :)
Saw Tommy James and the Shondells in the 60's in Delaware Lion sponsored concert my Dad was a part of.....still thinking he had to be the one to suggest them come in concert since i had wall-wall pics from tiger beat mag of them and played their album every waking hour....well, besides 4 Seasons. Got to go back stage and meet them....Tommy was shyer then the rest.....Mike was most out-going but Tommy stoled my heart....still think about that night.
Wow, my friend. Welcome to crystal blue idealism. Enjoy this forever. I'm in my sixties as well, and have perhaps been disappointed, but I'm still an idealist. And this song is all about wanting a better earth for everyone.
He has never gotten the respect he deserves.....a true master of rock, even 20 or 30 years after these songs were first recorded. I think maybe he got tagged with the "bar band" label, which really isn;'t a bad thing, as demonstrated here.
Avemaria Purisima; Te saludo mi SARGENTO Tommy; me encanta esta version, la escucho una y mil veces; tema inmortal, años 70 de 11 años; tema que lo conosi por mi querido hermano QED. EGVA. Cuanto termino la maldita guerra en Vietnam y mi bello lago ATITLAN fue invadido por ex'- soldados gringos contaminando sus aguas con LA FLOR DEL VIETNAM supuestamente; mas creo que nos engañaron con el petate del muerto para no ver desnudos; estos señores se bañaban desnudos en cia. De sus chicas sin el menor pudor; y nosotros mi brother y yo, recorriendo esos lugares en enorme cayuco con un motorcito de 8 hp Jonhson, este tema me hace recordar ese acontecimiento, a DIOS J. Gracias paso 63 años.
I've met Tommy James so much in the past..he should know my first name by now..lol! Used to see him at oldie concerts.."Mony Mony" he always comes into the audience..see's me, get a hug..I used to live in Cleveland..he played the Agora, House of Bud..a friend now gone took a photo of us together when I was 25..loooonnnnggg time ago.
ain;'t it beautiful, Crystal Blue Persuasion. Tommy James and the Shondells. Great!!!!
How refreshing to hear an artist respect the original version of a hit! Tommy is in terrific form and his band is stellar! The harmonies, the playing, the mix, blown away. Pop craftsmanship of the first order.
Still amazing in 2023❤
2024 too and until the
midnight oil burns ❤️❤️🌹
The song was playing during the best days of my life!!!
ME TOO !!! Peace Bro !!
Alll of us
"Beautiful, Beautiful Song"!!!
I love this song since the first time I listened to, I'm 62 years old now but, I still enjoy it ❤❤❤
late 1960's, paper boy in NJ with transister radio hanging off my stingray bike...best memories!
That was an unbelievable performance of a Timeless great great song... wowser !
..
I am truly amazed at just how good he and the band sound "live" on these clips from The Bitter End club, especially given the size of the venue; not to mention the passage of time (40-plus years!). His voice has held up very well, indeed!
The Summer of ‘69. Man, how I wish I could go back. ❤️
Great harmony singing. Right on the money. A great undervalued song.
This was what life was all about in the 60s. Oh' the fun we had.
Great to see the rockers I grew up with can still deliver the goods. The 60s produced the best music ever!
A timeless classic.
Took me 50 some years to realize how great these guys are… In my teens I heard them on the air and liked em but never really got into them…I was busy with Hendrix and those heavy 60’s bands… At 71 I’m proud to announce I started my day with Tommy and my Bose headphones…
I'm with you brother. I'm 66 and wow did they have hit songs all over the genres.
These boys are awesome musicians making sure every note was played just right....Will always be an all time favorite gruop.....
My all-time favorite song. I've listened to this thousands of times over the years and it never, never gets old. Thanks, Tommy James, for this incredible song!
living in a van
Ned Freed , so true, I simply love this song. I could hear it a hundred times and never get tired of it. Tommy, a legend in the industry.
Same here in 1969, This song is tops on my list. G/F dumped me at 18 yrs old,and was screwed in head, first love. Love you eternally AW. TJ rock on.
such a wonderful song....wished i was back in that time
I remember sitting at the drive in listening to this song. It was one of their bumper songs they play before the movies and during the intermission. Sometimes, I wish I had a time machine...
Emma Crawford I'm with you girlfriend. I'd hop in that time machine with you without a second thought just to go back for all the awesome music back then!!
I'm working on the finishing touches on my time machine and the rides will be free back to the drive in!
I still miss Drive in movies. Land prices and development suck. I'm glad it was part of my youth.
Coming up 65 years old and reminiscing profusely. Love a Time Machine. If only? Miss my youth.
One of the best songs ever written...Peter Lucia from Morristown, N.J. Drummer for Tommy - RIP Peter - We love you!!!
This is BLISS......
I like this version more than the recorded version. Great Bass
No doubt!
What a fantastic live performance!!!
There should be a movie made of this amazing band.
I woke up this morning with this song in my head. Asland is on the move❤
Indeed, love is the answer, and this is a timelessly beautiful song...
What an Awesome song. I remember growing up and hearing this song. Wow to have those years back. Songs like this just don't get written anymore. Hopefully people don't forget the simpler things and times in our lives!!
This just took me on an awesome mental trip back to 1970 and listening to this on the radio.
One of the best songs ever!!
Great memories from my 60's high school days!
I listen to this song over & over whenever I play my "favorites." Never gets old.
Wowwww! You still got it kid! 😜🫵
This is from the DVD Tommy James & The Shondells Live at the Bitter End. Buy the DVD and support Tommy James. His autobiography Me, The Mob, and The Music is also a hoot. Yep, I think Crystal Blue Persuasion is one of the best pop songs ever written.
Wow, the memories that song brings back..... music has a way of instantly transporting you back …… great live version.
OMG, the memories this music brings back! Me & my first love lived on Tommy James & the Shondells. Thanks so much for the uploads my friend.
My ALL TIME Favorite Pop Song....My friend has seen countless musical groups & said T.J. & Shondells were the Best Show Ever...1969 was all over the a.m. radio & for me Travelling to ALL 48 States that summer....Ohhh YEAH
I love that Tommy sings his songs just like you remember it in the record. Most embellish their songs later on when they sing them live.
My favorite song of the 60s. This version live is outstanding. Gary
In my opinion its the absolute best single of the 1960s decade. This live version is just amazing
One of the great live performances of all time,,
1969 in the memory. What a wonderful years. And now? Violence, wars, vandalism,etc. The world is crazy!!!
It was pretty crazy then, too! War, assassination, riots. The more things change, the more they stay the same 😢
1968 - 1969 was probably one of the most wild of US history
Just stop your bulls*** please. The same stuff happened back then.
when music was music......great song by a great talent...and a good guy
Wow!! First let me say that this is a wonderful song and I didn't think they would pull-this-of very well live, but man was this gr8!!!!! Thank you so much for posting this!!
I Grew Up listening to this music I Got The little 45's! Luv it! All His Hits!!
Good!! Christel Blue !! Perswation!!
this is another golden classic...
I would have had a really hard time staying seated through that!!
THIS IS A STANDUP PIECE ON ITS OWN WHAT A GREAT LIVE PERFORMANCE AND YEAH LUV THAT POPPIN BASE
Love them, my favorite song
wooo hoo love it...songs of my youth this is one of the best...
LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS SONG
I just keep hitting replay. Such a musical treasure is Tommy James. His band is fabulous as well.
Everytime I hear this, it puts me back on the Island. (South Padre) catching waves and enjoying the sun...
Thanks -- love the song -- seeing Tommy James and the Shondells tonight in Atlantic City at Harrah's Casino.
Almost 65 years old and reminiscing profusely. A definite youngin’. Cherished memories and adoration for Tommy James and the Shondells.
Music was outstanding by everyone- such beautiful times and memories❤
The words to this were in 16 Magazine when it came out. I can still sing it all the way through...I just cry at the last verse now.
...16 Magazine...OMGodseises !
This is better then the recorded version. Tommy has an amazing voice. I love these songs as they are from my parents high school years and I was raised on them. I sometimes think us gen X'ers are really lucky because we grew up on all the classic FM and all the stuff from the 80s/90s that was still good. I feel bad for our kids, at least they can hear these songs from us.
TAS is a wonderful rock group! So many memorable songs.
Great song
I love this group. Especially Tommy James. Oh the good ole days!
I love this song it's very inspirational i can rock with just the lyrics alone .yet the instrumental is the icing on the cake great song very positive
I have watched several of these clips and have enjoyed each one of them. Great performer. The keyboard player on the left appears to have never left the sixties or studies tapes of the sixties during his free time. Definitely good music and entertainment. Tommy James is very talented. I have tried to find this CD in various music stores and none have it.
Beautiful 🎉🎉🎉 thank you
love love love this live performance of a magical song!
I love this live version even more than the recording. I had a crush on Tommy James back then!!!
I just found this gem yesterday, and I can't stop watching it! I've always loved this song, and I have to say, this live performance is even better than the studio version. So glad I found this!
To answer my own question, it was filmed in 1996 - found on amazon...
Great sound...nice to hear it compared to the original.
Tommy at The Bitter End describing the Christian conversion experience! Very cool.
Oh my what an oldie but a goodie... wow to cool EPIC LOVE IT..✌💙😂♌🇺🇸
Iam a but to be 70...Amigos sept 2024..decades of love and fun.. Till today and forever thanks...
love this group...awesomeness...my parents got me this cassette when i was like 13..i wore it out!!! hey...my name is shonna dale... i wonder if...maybe i'm..naa..just a coincidence i reckon.. :)
Just love this song so much always will. I even named my old 76 Honda after this song.
Amazing live performance 😃😃
Saw Tommy James and the Shondells in the 60's in Delaware Lion sponsored concert my Dad was a part of.....still thinking he had to be the one to suggest them come in concert since i had wall-wall pics from tiger beat mag of them and played their album every waking hour....well, besides 4 Seasons. Got to go back stage and meet them....Tommy was shyer then the rest.....Mike was most out-going but Tommy stoled my heart....still think about that night.
I was 12 and the first time I heard this, I had my mother run out and get the 45 for me! I loved it!!!
Thanks for sharing jwhineryjr!
I saw this song done with beautiful scenes of landscape and Earth scenes tied into the song, absolutely beautiful! Love this.
This is kick back music.
Great song timeless meaning then and now am 80 years old and love is the answer.
Despite being 60's I have only just heard this brilliant song.
Wow, my friend. Welcome to crystal blue idealism. Enjoy this forever. I'm in my sixties as well, and have perhaps been disappointed, but I'm still an idealist. And this song is all about wanting a better earth for everyone.
1969 Love-it!…Surfing Makaha…Hawaiian outrigger canoe paddling Waikiki…memories..
Con sólo esta canción....TOMMY JAMES &.... al panteón de los inmortales...
Me too back to my old school miss it dearly.
Was 9 years old when this song came out. Still sounds good.
Lo mejor de lo mejor jamás me canso de oírla ❤
Tommy james Rocks
His book is most excellent...a great read about the music industry.
Great audio Love this song
Na minha juventude essa música fazia muito sucesso aqui no Brasil eu amava esse som
ONE OF THE COOLEST VIDEOS ON YOU TUBE.....
He has never gotten the respect he deserves.....a true master of rock, even 20 or 30 years after these songs were first recorded. I think maybe he got tagged with the "bar band" label, which really isn;'t a bad thing, as demonstrated here.
Sing it Tommy James and the Shondells!!
Avemaria Purisima; Te saludo mi SARGENTO Tommy; me encanta esta version, la escucho una y mil veces; tema inmortal, años 70 de 11 años; tema que lo conosi por mi querido hermano QED. EGVA. Cuanto termino la maldita guerra en Vietnam y mi bello lago ATITLAN fue invadido por ex'- soldados gringos contaminando sus aguas con LA FLOR DEL VIETNAM supuestamente; mas creo que nos engañaron con el petate del muerto para no ver desnudos; estos señores se bañaban desnudos en cia. De sus chicas sin el menor pudor; y nosotros mi brother y yo, recorriendo esos lugares en enorme cayuco con un motorcito de 8 hp Jonhson, este tema me hace recordar ese acontecimiento, a DIOS J. Gracias paso 63 años.
My first slow dance in 8th grade...such a different time...
A great song of hope.
peace and good, brotherhood, crystal blue persuasion
I've met Tommy James so much in the past..he should know my first name by now..lol! Used to see him at oldie concerts.."Mony Mony" he always comes into the audience..see's me, get a hug..I used to live in Cleveland..he played the Agora, House of Bud..a friend now gone took a photo of us together when I was 25..loooonnnnggg time ago.
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
amazing capture
1968 nothing more be said except, I was only 15
Tommy's best song in my opinion?