Aired on Treasure Island Oldies –Jan 04, 2026

In 1965, Pittsburgh deejay Bob Mack began featuring a song he discovered being played in local clubs. The version he began playing on-air was a 1964 release by a Michigan group. The song was written by Jeff Barry and Ellie Greewich who originally recorded it as the Raindrops in 1963. The Raindrops’ recording was on the B side of their single, “That Boy John” that made it to #64 on the Billboard Hot 100 early in 1964.

At the age of 16, the frontman of the Michigan group first heard the record being performed by a Dayton, Ohio band called the Spinners. Inspired by its dance appeal, despite only remembering a few lyrics from the original Jeff Barry/Ellie Greenwich recording, the frontman made up the rest and released it as a regional hit in 1964 on Snap Records.

Thanks to that Pittsburgh deejay playing the forgotten track, it lead to bootleg sales and later exploded nationally in 1966, rising to the top of the charts.

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The mass appeal of the recording, resulted in the frontman forming a new band, re-releasing the recording, and signing with Roulette Records, a pivotal moment that launched his career amidst the era’s wild Rock & Roll scene and its ties with organized crime.

A number of  New York labels were interested in the song, but mob-connected Roulette Records owner Morris Levy used his influence to scare off competitors, ensuring he got the record.

In his book, “Me, The Mob, And The Music,” frontman Tommy James describes his wild, complex relationship with Roulette Records as “One Helluva Ride.”

A literal baptism of fire, James learned the business and how to navigate mob ties, ultimately leading to massive success with hits like “Mony Mony” and “Crimson and Clover.”

James’ book focuses on the intersection of Rock & Roll’s rise and the underworld, all stemming from that unexpected revival of a record by Tommy James And The Shondells, aptly titled “Hanky Panky,” this week’s Tom Locke moment in time.

YouTube listing of the song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsgKZb9jQ1s

This “Moments In Time” story is yet another example of a “golden oldie” or forgotten favorite that earned its place in the evolution of Rock & Roll.