POP/ROCK - Oct. 26, 1987

And while you’re reminiscing, consider this: ‘60s bubble-gummer Tommy James (long absent from the Shondells) said recently he stands to earn six-figure royalties from Billy Idol’s version of “Mony Mony,� James’ 1968 hit, now No. 4 on Billboard magazine’s pop charts. On top of that, James’ 1966 hit, “Hanky Panky,� was the rallying cry of the Minnesota Twins in the World Series, as fans sang “My Baby Waves a Homer Hanky.� At No. 3 on the pop charts is Tiffany’s cover of James’ “I Think We’re Alone Now.� No royalties on that, however; James didn’t write it, he just performed it. Over the years, the singer-songwriter told USA Today that he’s made more than $1 million from remakes of his songs.