In honor of Tommy James’ Vegas visit this weekend, we salute singers with twice as many first names as the rest of us:
1 Ray Charles, “You Don’t Know Me” (Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music, 1962) Maybe not personally, but we do know you lobbed off your “Robinson” to let your middle name be your last.
2 Billy Joel, “Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out on Broadway)” (Turnstiles, 1976) Call him Billy, call him Joel, it’s still rock and roll to him.
3 Blondie, “(I’m Always Touched By Your) Presence, Dear” (Plastic Letters, 1977) How weird would it be if her name was Harry Debbie?
4 Toby Keith, “Beer for My Horses” (Unleashed, 2002) Better yet, the tune features another classic first-name two-timer, Willie Nelson.
5 Wyclef Jean, “Gone Till November” (The Carnival, 1997) Sure, Wyclef isn’t the most common first name out there, but there are enough Jeans in the world to compensate.
6 Steve Earle, “Taneytown” (El Corazon, 1997) His name is Earle ... no wait, it’s Steve.
7 Paul Simon, “Under African Skies” (Graceland, 1986) Simon says: I’ve actually got three legit first names, with Frederic in the middle.
8 Aretha Franklin, “Night Time Is the Right Time” (Aretha Now, 1968) Oddly enough, she entered the world sharing her last name with the president’s first name.
9 Tommy James & The Shondells, “Crimson and Clover” (Crimson and Clover, 1968) Just don’t try calling him Tommy Jimmy, whatever you do.
10 Jon Spencer, “Rocketship” (Now I Got Worry, 1996) Though everyone knows Spencer is always best as a first name.
Tommy James & The Shondells. August 25, 8 p.m., $25. Silverton pool, 914-8557.