TOMMY SANDS
In the early months of 1956, as soon as it became obvious Elvis Presley was the most explosive singer since the recording industry had been launched on cylinders in the 1880s, the search began for "The Next Elvis." Anyone who might fit the bill would need to have Presley's teenage heartthrob looks and a convincing country/rhythm and blues approach to delivering a song. Tommy Sands was a good candidate; he just had to figure out a way to introduce himself to a nationwide audience. He achieved it through a promotional music-and-TV tie-in that had been done a few times before. Tommy became one of 1957's hottest young celebrities, but by the time a few years had passed it seemed the public was more interested in his marriage to the daughter of an entertainer ... MORE ››
