Tommy Heath

Last updated
Tommy Heath
Tommy Tutone band Greenville 2017.jpg
Heath right on guitar with Tommy Tutone
Background information
Birth nameThomas Allen Heath
Born1947
Genres Rock music
Occupation(s)Musician
Computer analyst
Instrument(s)Vocals
Guitar
Keyboard
Years active1978–present
Website www.tutone.com

Thomas Allen Heath (born 1947) is an American musician best known as the lead singer, rhythm guitarist, and occasional keyboardist of the band Tommy Tutone, who are most famous for their 1981 single, "867-5309/Jenny." A common misconception is that "Tommy Tutone" is Heath's stage name, rather than the name of the band. The band was originally known as "Tommy and the Tu-tones", which was shortened to "Tommy Tutone". Heath left the band after the release of their third album, 1983's National Emotion. In 1994, Heath released the album Nervous Love under the Tommy Tutone name, but without the involvement of any of the other original band members.

Heath has said of the enduring popularity of "867-5309/Jenny" overshadowing the band's other output, "I'm proud to be a one-hit wonder. I'd rather be a three-hit wonder, but it's better than being a no-hit wonder." [1]

Heath later became a computer analyst and software engineer and moved to Portland, Oregon. [2] [3] He married his girlfriend, Lisa Scholtz, on June 9, 2008 while on vacation in Lake Tahoe, California. [4]

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References

  1. Lacy, Mike (2002-08-28). "'867-5309' still rings Tutone singer". Knight Ridder.
  2. Staff (2012-08-08). "Where Are They Now? 1982's Biggest Pop Acts-Catch up with A Flock of Seagulls, Toni Basil, Tommy Tutone and more though". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2017-03-15.
  3. Wells, Shannon (2013-11-15). "Tommy Tutone leader finds there's life well after 'Jenny'". Portland Tribune - Pamplin Media Group. Retrieved 2017-03-15.
  4. Gray, Mark (2008-06-09). "Tommy Tutone Singer Gets Hitched in Tahoe". People. Retrieved 2008-06-10.