Tommy James, the iconic rock ‘n’ roll musician, experienced a bout of exhaustion that led to the early conclusion of his performance at the Golden Nugget. According to his manager, Carol Ross-Durborow, James had been dealing with significant fatigue due to a strenuous schedule that included a long flight, a sound check, and an early start to his day. The 77-year-old performed about an hour of his set before having to stop during “Do Something to Me,” just before the planned finale of “Mony Mony” and the encore.
Attendees noticed James exhibiting signs of fatigue as he paused to catch his breath and eventually took a seat on stage. Paramedics and security personnel attended to him, and he left the venue without further issues, returning to his home in New Jersey the following morning. Despite this incident, James is expected to perform at his next scheduled show in Tulsa, Oklahoma, after adjusting his travel plans to arrive a day earlier.
James has a history of health challenges; he collapsed after a performance in 1970, which was reportedly linked to drug-related issues. Despite these setbacks, he has continued his career, performing hits like “Crystal Blue Persuasion” and “Hanky Panky,” much to the delight of his fans. Audience members have expressed their support and concern for his well-being following the recent incident.
Hannah Banana Williams
May 3, 2025 at 12:08 pmSo upset to learn this. I think performing a matinee show about a month earlier in the blazing Florida afternoon sun on a black stage facing directly into it in 90+ degree heat probably contributed to exhaustion that snowballed into a crisis at the nugget. We, in the audience, especially those of us dancing the whole way through the concert, experienced it, too. I was simmering like a tin foil roast in my black sun-protective gear, but who could stop dancing to Tommy James, so all I could do was remove my great Southern rock black hat and continue on. There comes a time when we have to give up our beloved stick shift tansmissions and accept we are at the point of having to drive automatics, book the next concert for that area not at the mid-Fliridat Credit Union amphitheater nearby which is shaded but also too hot, but at the 1900+-seat Van Wezel Performing Arts Center in Sarasota, which is air-conditioned and has a fabulous restaurant on the lower level and every seat has a great view of the stage. Plus it commands better ticket prices. I felt so ashamed that we were only paying $40 a seat fo see such an icons as Tommy James & The Shondells. Please make touring easier on yourself—we all feel very protective of our beloved rock legend❤️