The Tommy Vann story written by Stan Gibson and Tommy Vann (for the ‘Baltimore Bands from the 70’s 80’s and 90’s’ Facebook page (July 2013).
“It’s with great honor that we pay tribute to a Music Legend and Music Icon on both the Baltimore Music Scene and the National Recording Scene, our very own talented Tommy Vann. I am honored that he took the time to work with me and allow me to share his extensive musical background. (This article) will go from the early days of his career to the present with a few of his groups such as Tommy Vann and the Echoes, Tommy Vann and the Professionals, The Admirals, to his current group Tommy Vann and The Boss Band.” Stan Gibson.
“Tommy’s career led him to become a Capitol Recording artist, and also recorded on several other labels, sang famous commercial jingles and played in several bands during his long and infamous career…”
“1945-46: TV appearances on WABD in NY… Sang in a play with the MacLevy School of Singing and dancing. “1947: appeared and performed while part of the “Peanut Gallery” on the “Howdy Doody” show on a fledgling network called WPIX-TV which is still on air today. Moved with his family to upstate New York (Meridale, NY – near Oneonta & Cooperstown).”
“1954-1958: Went to Franklin Central School, Franklin, NY, where he lettered in Football, Basketball and Baseball, and won many singing talent shows along the way. Made many friends at The YMCA dances and formed a group called the “Pizzarino’s” and sang on occasion with two other guys who were graduated from Oneonta High the same year and both went on to professional music careers: Larry Santos – wrote many commercials which we all are familiar with – Folgers in your cup, The touch, the feel of cotton… all the Budweiser commercials… and many many more… Santos also had a show in Chicago called “Hot Chocolate”! (Larry later had record releases on Atlantic, Evolution, Casablanca, and others and also worked with The Four Seasons). The other was Ron Crosby who wrote a song which we are all familiar with – “Mr.Bojangles” – his stage name is Jerry Jeff Walker.”
“When I was 10 or 11 my father (at that time, a detective with the NYPD used to guard Babe Ruth during the bond drives for the war effort in New York) took me to the “Apollo” where I saw and met several of the great artists of the day: Jackie Wilson, The Coasters, The Cadillac’s, Pookie Hudson and the Spaniels, The Platters, and many more… little did I know that 14 to 15 years later I would be sharing stages with them…. what a thrill for a kid…and later a young man!”
“1959-1962: While in the Marine Corps I formed “The Emblems” and some wonderful times and songs with them and scored with our Doo-Wop version of “Too Young”! Came from Quantico on weekend pass to a party in Parkville MD shortly before my release from the Marine Corps, and as the story goes, never left!”
“1962-1967: Married the girl in that house on Summit Ave. six months later, and in Sept (2013) will be our 51st year! While playing cards one night with our friends Dawn and Woody Spence he said to me “You had success making records in the Marine Corps so why don’t we get a group together?” I said “fine let’s do it!” That was the beginning of “Tommy Vann and The Echoes”! Of course we soon played every teen center in Maryland and every frat dance at all the colleges too! Went to NYC 7th Ave. & 52nd St. at “Aura Sound” and did “Too Young”, “Pretty Flamingo” and many others… Played many years 7 days a week!”
“Tommy’s career continued as a recording artist working with many labels in his stellar career including Capitol Records and Academy Records.”
“After breakup of “Tommy Vann and The Echoes”- One week later I had formed “Tommy Vann and The Professionals” and we were immediately working! Everywhere! (I have always said that my success has been due to the fact that I was smart enough to surround myself with great musicians).
1968-1973: ’73 came and we all had different desires professionally so we went our separate ways… I was contacted by “The Admirals” as they wanted me as their front man and I jumped at the chance as they were one of the great show bands in America, Canada, and the Caribbean Islands! With top notch travel accommodations and wonderful experiences in different countries it was great! The players were the best!”
“1976: I wanted to stay closer to home and retired! Not for long as the great “Teddy Bell” asked me to perform with him so I did and it was one of the most gratifying experiences of my life! Although it was for a short period of time it was great!”
“1978: Retired again and bought a home in Morris, New York! Couldn’t stay still for long so I applied for a position as a bartender with 70 other candidates at a place called “What’s Your Beef”! Never tended bar before in my life – got the job! (That’s because I was around it all my life – and they knew that – stayed for better part of 13 years. Also found a partner and opened up “Northeastern Sporting Goods” located in Oneonta, NY! Very successful but too much work! Sold my interest to my partner after five years! He still is in business to this very day! Then the Japanese company “Sanyo Sewing America” came to Oneonta and left me a Christmas present of a karaoke machine! At that time no one had a clue what it was… So the first and third Wednesday of every month I would come from behind the bar and host karaoke night! The place was packed so we expanded to 4 nights a month! Once again I was back in the entertainment business! Then the Japanese offered me a great job in quality control which I couldn’t turn down! After a year of playing golf, getting drunk and my wife getting ready to kill me, I decided it was time to come back to Baltimore! Brought my mother with us and in 1989 formed “Tommy Vann Productions.” Did Karaoke for about 15 years and retired again! Saw John Sankonis in the parking lot at Luskins old store one afternoon and he said “If you ever want to do it again call me” Shortly thereafter it was, “Tommy Vann And The Boss Band” Here we go again!
“Recently I have been inducted into “The Maryland Musicians Hall Of Fame” and “The Maryland Entertainment Hall Of Fame” both of which I am honored and humbled!”
Thank you Tommy, and thank you Stan for passing along the Tommy Vann Story, December 2013!
