The "Rumblers Vocal"

Originally posted on November 15, 2018.

 

One highly unappreciated aspect of Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers’ recordings and live performance is what DJ Caterina has dubbed the collective “Rumblers vocal.” 

It’s Tommy, Paul, Rob, Chris and even Jimmer (if he’s mic’d) singing In unison—sounding like that Philly street gang with an attitude that you always wanted to join. It’s distinctive, it’s got swagger, and, as an event, it’s kind of rare. 

But when it happens—hold on to something—‘cause it’s cool.
 

Some great examples in this list:

• Performing "Big Big Love" live at Market St. Station in Wilkes-Barre, PA, Sept. 8, 1988.
  
   
• At the end of a 1989 cover of “Philadelphia Freedom”—with other Philadelphia-based artists, singing "Freedom!"
• “Maybe She’s Just Not There” - recorded live at the historic Bayou in Washington, D.C., May 13, 1987.

• A cover of The Chambers Brothers original "Time Has Come Today" in 1987. 

• The Young Rumblers live in Milan, Italy, performing "Young Thing" in 1989.
• Performing I'm Not Your Man in 2017.

Rumblers in Japan - 1989

 

(Chris Day, Tommy Conwell and Paul Slivka in Japan, 1989)

Friend:  What's wrong?
Me:  I told everyone that I wanted to name a sandwich after Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers and nobody asked why.
Friend:  OK. Why?
Me:  Because they're yummy.
Friend:  >>> walks away

Tickets for Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers concerts in July: 

➡️ Brooklyn Bowl Philadelphia https://brooklynbowl.com/philadelphia/events/detail/tommy-conwell-and-the-young-rumblers-vvg1fzb1mbfsb6

 ➡️ Bottle and Cork, Dewey Beach, DE
https://bottleandcork.com/event/tommy-conwell-the-young-rumblers/

Cornerstone TCYR promo [1988]

Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers promo image from Cornerstone Management, 1988. 

Photographer: Patrick Harbron

Rumble Released 33 Years Ago - 1988

Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers released their national debut album 'Rumble' 33 years ago on August 8, 1988. 😎🎸🎶 

8️⃣-8️⃣-8️⃣8️⃣ 

TCYR Album Update via Cliff Hillis

Encouraging news from Cliff Hillis on the upcoming Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers album still in production. Also, an update from Tommy himself in this recent interview.

August 9, 2018 - #Rumble30

Classic 80's TCYR images

Classic images of Tommy Conwell and his Young Rumblers--in concert and enjoying life. From the collection of Debra L. Rothenberg Photography.

Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers - April 25, 2015 — at The Ardmore Music Hall

Images of Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers performing at The Ardmore Music Hall on April 25, 2015. All photographs courtesy of Bud Fulginiti.

(Click images to see a larger file size.)

Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers - The 80's!

Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers - the 80s! Images submitted courtesy of Susan and Ben.  Thanks, guys!

[Concert location, date and photographer not available.]

Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers - 'Rumble' Press Release

Celebrating the 25th anniversary of the release of Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers' Rumble. [July 8 - August 8]

Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers 
- Biography - 
Columbia Records Press and Publicity

Philadelphia’s Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers play their music with one goal in mind – to keep it honest, with a distinctive edge. It has been this edge that’s taken Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers from the trenches of local rock to the brink of national acclaim. Rumble, their aptly-titled debut album for Columbia, grabs hold of the raw intensity and honesty that characterize both Conwell and his music. 

Each of the ten tracks on Rumble exhibits a straightforward approach to rock ‘n roll that is deftly meshed with touches of blues, pop, funk and gospel. The record is raw rock and pure pop; each cut as infectious as the one before. Rumble was produced by veteran Rick Chertoff, whose credits include Cyndi Lauper’s She’s So Unusual, Hooters’ Nervous Night and One Way Home, the Outfield’s Play Deep, and Patty Smyth’s Never Enough – which features Tommy’s guitar solo on the single, “Isn’t It Enough.” 

Uncharacteristic of many bands, Rumble is true to the sound of the band. There are no special effects or filler orchestration to detract from what is a distinctive rock ‘n roll album. What is most apparent is the startling clarity of the vocals and musical arrangements. Most importantly, says Tommy, “Rumble sounds like us.” 

This message is brought home on the opening “I’m Not Your Man,” a bluesy rocker that was Tommy’s first collaborative effort (with Philadelphia songwriter Marcy Rauer, who also wrote the gospel-soaked “Gonna Breakdown” with Conwell) that is also the LP’s first single. In between, Tommy’s passionate singing and the band’s well-crafted harmonies provide the album’s cohesive strength, starting with “Half a Heart,” a collective effort from Conwell, Chertoff, and Hooters Rob Hyman and Eric Bazilian. 

“If We Never Meet Again,” described by the singer as “a real loving song,” was penned by Jules Shear; he and Tommy co-wrote “Tell Me What You Want Me To Be” with its strong Bo Diddley beat. Another collaborator is fellow Philly rocker Robert Hazard (composer of “Girls Just Want to Have Fun”), who joined with Tommy on two songs, “Love’s On Fire” and “Everything They Say Is True,” the latter employing a “Texas trick” of playing the guitar directly into a Lesley lamp generally used for organs. 

Kae Williams is a funk songwriter/producer who provided the working groove for “I Wanna Make You Happy”; Chertoff and Conwell completed the lyrics to the song, which the singer says is “very much inspired by Sly Stone, with a ‘Family Affair’-type vibe to it.” The album closes with “Walkin’ On the Water,” an old Rumblers number brought up to date, also a bit of church/gospel feel in the background vocals. 

Working with producer Chertoff proved a positive experience. “Some people think producers force the artist to do what they want or think will sell, but Rick is just the opposite of that. He tried to get me to be my best, which is a very important goal, and the amazing thing is that he succeeded. We had a true artist/producer relationship. He pushed me to do things that I might not have done without him, but that were inside me.” 

Tommy Conwell was born and raised in suburban Philadelphia. Brought up in a supportive family, he remembers music always being an influence. “I remember the first record I ever bought was ‘Wipe Out.' I remember it because I went to the shop with my buddy who bought ‘I Never Promised You a Rose Garden’ and all the guys were laughing at him.” He got his first guitar in 9th or 10th grade and taught himself to play; soon after, he picked up an electric. His first band, the Elastics, had the distinction of once playing an outdoor concert event at Tommy’s high school. 

“I was real ambitious when I first started playing,” recalls Conwell, a bonafide guitar junkie from the start, who remembers staying home from school or cutting classes with only one thing in mind: playing guitar. “I wanted to be the best, the best guitar player. So I said to myself ‘What’s the hardest music?’ There was a lot of jazz in Philly, and that type of music was a challenge. Plus, it felt right. Traditional jazz was something I felt I could do and no one else was doing it.”

He first encountered the real blues when he entered the University of Delaware at Newark. “I saw blues as a liaison between jazz and rock. I was really into punk, which I loved for the performance, drive and party of the music, and jazz which I felt just emoted from the guitar. Blues seemed like earthy rock ‘n roll with a lot more improv.” 

While at school, Tommy joined an established grind-it-out-six-shows-a-night blues bar band as a sideman guitarist. Although the position wasn’t the one he aspired to, it was during that year and a half that he feels he got his “chops.” He also began turning the heads of local music scene insiders. 

Tommy Conwell formed the Young Rumblers in February 1984. By the fall, the lineup had solidified with Delaware musicians Paul Slivka on bass and Jim Hannum on drums. Almost immediately the Young Rumblers became a fixture on the mid-Atlantic music scene, consistently filling night clubs to capacity and clearly affecting the audience. Their stature grew to the extent that eight of their performances have already been broadcast live, including a television simulcast from Veterans Stadium on Labor Day 1986. 

That same fall, the Rumblers’ lineup expanded with the addition of rhythm guitarist and vocalist Chris Day, and keyboardist/guitarist/vocalist Rob Miller, formerly with Robert Hazard and the Heroes, and the Hooters. Soon afterwards, the new group went into the studio with now-former Hooter Andy King, who co-produced Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers’ first album, Walkin’ On the Water. An independent regional release, the LP has sold over 70,000 copies and received heavy airplay on Philadelphia radio, as well as on numerous AOR, CHR and college stations across the country. 

Walkin’ On the Water also included early versions of four songs redone for the band’s Columbia debut: “I’m Not Your Man,” “Love’s On Fire,” “Everything They Say Is True,” and “Walkin’ On the Water.” The LP attracted the attention of record companies and national media, ultimately resulting in a deal with Columbia Records in May 1987. The summer of ’87 found the Young Rumblers opening for Squeeze, Robert Palmer, Pretenders, Bryan Adams, and David Bowie. By October 1987, Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers had been profiled in Rolling Stone; a month later, they received the “Most Promising New Artist” award at the first annual Philadelphia Music Foundation Awards show. 

As a musician, Tommy Conwell is influenced by a wide variety of artists. He cites Charlie Parker as his all-time biggest influence, but also includes Jimmie Vaughan (the Fabulous Thunderbirds), Chrissy Hynde (Pretenders), George Thorogood, the Sex Pistols, and the Ramones. Tommy’s innate talent strikes all who come in contact with him, but is something he develops without dwelling upon it. “From the start,” he says, “I think that my best asset is that God made me different from everybody else. Everyone has that asset, but not everyone chooses to use it.” 

The musicians that complete the Rumblers’ sound are best described as intense perfectionists. Jim Hannum’s strong drums and obvious love of the stage pervade each performance. A passionate music lover, he and Conwell often grill each other on new music. Paul Slivka’s steady rock bass playing shows control and technique that have developed strongly over the years. Rhythm guitarist Chris Day’s musical background is anchored in hard rock, and provides a creative balance with the leader’s often blues-oriented lead. Initially, however, it was Day’s stage presence and performance that drew Tommy to him. 

Rob Miller adds depth to the overall sound on keyboards and guitar. “He’s the analyst of the band,” laughs Tommy. It’s great because we didn’t have that before. He forces us to look at areas, to evaluate in a technically musical sense. I’m just interested in the magic. Rob is my other half, plus he’s a very, very talented musician.” 

The songwriting collaborations on Rumble are a natural extension of the process that started on Walkin’ On the Water. “Collaborating has helped me as a songwriter,” Tommy asserts. “After awhile, it’s lonely writing songs by yourself. It’s a lot more fun writing with someone else. When you write on your own, you’re thinking; when you write with someone, you’re talking, and there’s something nice about that. I’ve been real lucky in that all the people I’ve worked with are great writers.” 

Although Tommy Conwell has achieved a degree of stardom in his own right in the mid-Atlantic region for some years now, noticeably absent is the arrogance or attitude often witnessed in new up-and-comers. Sincere, amicable, and unaffected by the national recognition that looms ahead with his first Columbia LP, Tommy is as real as his hard-hitting music. Yet with his music, he is stubborn and meticulous. 

As Rumble hits the streets, he is very excited to say the least. “This LP really captures what we’ve come up to over the past four years, and I’m really proud of that.” 

“I can’t wait to tour,” he adds. “That’s when I’ll know we’ve really made it, when we’re playing in California to a happening crowd. But right now I try not to have expectations. I’ll work hard today and take the results as they come.” 

With its mix of musical prowess, raw energy and intensity, and a sound that transcends characteristic boundaries, Tommy Conwell’s new album packs a potent punch. No doubt, this band’s time has come, and there’s no telling how big they will become. Just put your ear to the ground and feel the rumble.

Rumblers to Release Columbia Debut

Celebrating the 25th anniversary of the release of Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers' Rumble. [July 8 - August 8]

Rumblers to Release Columbia Debut

Friday, July 29, 1988  
By Lauren R. Feola
Collegian Arts Writer

Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers, a group that has been around the block and up and down the East Coast. are on the brink of national exposure. 

"Look out, baby, here I come," sings Conwell, frontman and namesake for the group. To Philadelphia-vicinity fans, the lyric and name are familiar. But on August 9th, the Young Rumblers' new release Rumble on Columbia Records, will put their name into the national scope. 

Of course, the world of music television will be a factor. "The video, a performance video, was filmed last week, downstairs (in the 23 East Cabaret, a few miles outside of Philadelphia in Ardmore.) It will coincide with the release and be on MTV," said Patty Rose, an agent at Cornerstone Management. 

The bluesy hard-pop band's slow-brewing popularity has developed from a recipe of an independent album, a few friendly AOR radio stations and three years of constant roadwork.

A sparse Young Rumblers grouped early in 1984. Six months later, the three member band of Conwell on guitars, Paul Slivka on bass and Jim Hannum on drums signed with Cornerstone Management, the same company that the Hooters are with. 

After an intense touring schedule and the addition of Chris Day on guitar and Rob Miller on keyboards, the Young Rumblers' sound had solidified. They took to the studio in December 1986 and released the independent Walkin' on the Water. The album, which has sold approximately 50,000 copies, and more touring, which included a stop at the 1987 Interfraternity Council Dance Marathon, has gained the Young Rumblers some recognition and airplay. 

Some of the band's singles are occasionally exposed locally on WWZU. "They've gotten a lot better," disc jockey Shawn Carey said. "We've been playing the new version of 'I'm Not Your Man'". From the sound of the single, revamped from the independent album, the Young Rumblers have become musically stronger and more personalized. Especially, Miller's keyboard work has developed into a more important facet of the sound. 

The new album has samples of the group's past, present and future, according to Patty Rose at Cornerstone. "The album has things people heard in shows, stuff from the Walkin' on the Water and some brand new surprises that you've never heard before," she said.

The first single and video will be the newer, edgier "I'm Not Your Man," a coy farewell tune. Other titles mentioned by Rose were "I Wanna Make You Happy," with rollicking twangy guitars and "Gonna Breakdown," a gospel-influenced rocker.

"Tommy has a lot of influences, as you can tell on the new album," Rose said. "Mainly Bo Diddley as one, but the album is musically more complicated."

The Young Rumblers have promises of tour support from Columbia, which will eventually pull them from bar-band status. Besides Philadelphia, Harrisburg, New Jersey shore and Georgetown clubs, the band has had some positive larger-crowd experience. Last summer, they opened headliners David Bowie and Squeeze, Bryan Adams, and the Hooters. Most recently, the Young Rumblers performed in Hershey, opening Robert Plant's show last weekend. "They were fantastic," said Carey at WWZU.

WWZU is attempting to negotiate a sponsored performance for later this year. "We're not sure, though," said Carey. "They're talking about maybe going to Europe."

Locally, the shows are going on; the Young Rumblers will be in Wilkes-Barre for a show at Market Street on August 4th. Next weekend, performances will be at the 23 East Cabaret, soon to be immortalized by MTV. A performance on August 12th in Atlantic City will be broadcast live on Philadelphia's WMMR.

Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers - 1987 NJ Concert

Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers perform live at Shenanigan's in Sea Isle City, New Jersey. [September 2, 1987]

Setlist:
Shenanigan's [Hosted by 100.7 KZXL]
Sea Isle City, New Jersey
- Smarty Pants
- It’s Your Life
- Crazy Mixed Up World
- Demolition Derby
- Maybe She’s Just Not There
- Satisfaction Guaranteed
- Night and Day
- I Believe I’m In Love with You
- How Long You Wanna Live Anyway?
- Truck Drivin’ Son of a Gun
- Welcome To My World
- Sweet Home Chicago
- I Knew the Bride When She Used to Rock n' Roll

Encore
- Walkin’ By Myself {Chris Day}
- Reelin’ and Rockin’ 

Tommy Conwell Promotes Electric Factory Gig

Tommy Conwell was everywhere today in Philly - it's like the 80's all over again! Promoting the upcoming Black Friday gig at the Electric Factory - Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers with opening act, Bricklin!

- An acoustic set on WMMR's Preston and Steve show - here's Tommy's interview.

- Tommy Conwell and Chris Day on CBS Philly. Again, thanks to Dallyn Pavey for the photos and videos posted to the tommy conwell and the young rumblers - fans remember when Facebook group page throughout the day.
 

- Tommy Conwell on 88.5 WXPN with an acoustic set and brief stories, performing Everything They Say Is True, I'm Home, Going Back to Philly and I'm Not Your Man.

I'm Home (live) - Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers at Veterans Stadium

Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers (Jim Hannum, Paul Slivka, Rob Miller, Chris Day) perform "I'm Home" live at Veterans Stadium. Performance in front of an audience after a Temple University football game, Sept. 24, 1987.

I'm Seventeen (Live) - Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers 1990

Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers perform "I'm Seventeen" live on local Philadelphia station, 1990. 

From Marc Pelletier's former Tommy Conwell tribute website:

1990 | Guitar Trouble

      TROUBLE..... best describes the Young Rumblers' sophomore effort and the band’s commercial challenges in 1990; Columbia urged Conwell to work with professional songwriters to improve his original material; Country-rock guitarist Billy Kemp replaced the popular Chris Day; Pete Anderson, former producer for Dwight Yoakam, was hired to produce; Sony’s subsequent purchase of Columbia/CBS affected the Rumblers' label relations.

     A revamped, “Didn’t Want to Sing the Blues” and “Rock with You” were the only songs from the 1989/90 live circuit to make vinyl. Bruce Hornsby and Johnnie Johnson, legendary keyboardist for Chuck Berry, contributed to Guitar Trouble. The catchy pop/rock single, “I’m Seventeen” received extensive radio airplay but a cool response locally. 

If We Never Meet Again - Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers (1989)

For the Conwell faithful, one of the best episodes of Late Night with David Letterman aired on Wednesday, January 4, 1989.

Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers (Rob Miller, Chris Day) perform a shortened version of If We Never Meet Again. Includes a brief interview with Tommy and Dave at the end.

Guests: Kevin Kline, Marv Albert
Musical Guest: Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers

Live at Blockley Pourhouse 2011

This weekend, DJ Caterina trekked 1,462.7 miles from Dallas to Philadelphia to see Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers perform the last of an epic two nights at The Blockley Pourhouse, Nov. 4 and 5.

Nov. 4 - Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers and The Peace Creeps (Richard Bush of The A's).

Nov. 5 - Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers and Smash Palace.

Gems included on Saturday night's set list included a new song - "just for the fans" - Whatever This Crowd Wants, a couple of songs performed by guitarist Chris Day and the never-recorded but legendary fan fave, Demolition Derby. The performance also included covers; Time Has Come Today and Back in the USA.

Brief concert clips below of Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers at the Blockley Pourhouse on Nov. 5, 2011.

Baltimore guitarist sharpening his riffs with Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers

Baltimore guitarist sharpening his riffs with Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers
November 15, 1990 | by Nestor Aparicio | Evening Sun Staff 

Blues guitar lovers might call it the best of Baltimore and the best of Philadelphia united in a blues-rock bar band second to none. Left to right: Billy Kemp, Rob Miller, Paul Slivka, Tommy Conwell and Jim Hannum.

Saturday night at Hammerjacks will be the first opportunity locally to see the new incarnation of Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers, featuring Baltimore's Billy Kemp on guitar. 

It all happened quickly and quietly during the summer. Conwell's former guitarist Chris Day left the band to pursue other interests right before the Rumblers' new album, "I'm Seventeen," was released. 

Kemp, who opened for the Rumblers with his Paradise Rockers during their last appearance at Hammerjacks in the spring, said he jumped at the opportunity to work with Conwell when his phone rang. "I knew it would be a great chance to work with an up-and-coming, nationally known band," Kemp said. "But, to be honest, I didn't even know Tommy." 

Since August, Kemp, who still lives in Catonsville, has been commuting to Philadelphia for rehearsals. The band has played a dozen shows there and in Atlantic City. "But this is the big tour, and I finally get to come home for a show," Kemp said. The tour began Tuesday in New Haven, Conn., and ends in three weeks from in Ohio. The album, which Kemp doesn't perform on, although he's in the video for "I'm Seventeen," hasn't been as well-received as Conwell's first CBS release, "Rumble." 

But, Kemp says, it's just a matter of promotion. "That's why we're going on the road; to let everyone know that Tommy has some good things happening," Kemp said. "The album has only been out for eight weeks so I think it's a little early to say it's dead." Meanwhile, Kemp continues to sharpen his riffs on Conwell's older songs and has even added a few twists. 

"It's been a lot of work learning everything," Kemp said. "But it's a very democratic situation within the band. Even though I'm the new guy, they all have listened to my input and taken my suggestions seriously. 

"At this point, that's about all I can ask for."