Tommy Conwell

Who is Tommy Conwell?

Tommy Conwell is a US guitarist, songwriter and performer. He is best known as the frontman for the Philadelphia-based band Tommy Conwell & The Young Rumblers. The band had a #1 US mainstream rock hit in 1988 with "I'm Not Your Man". The original band, consisting of Tommy Conwell, Paul Slivka and Jimmy Hannum, was known for its raw, high-energy live performances which included many classic blues and rock standards. such as "Hideaway" by Freddie King, "Rumble" by Link Wray, "Time Has Come Today" by the Chambers Brothers and "Downtown Train" by Tom Waits, together with several original songs, some of which appeared on the debut album, "Walkin' on the Water". Other signature tracks such as "Demolition Derby", which many felt exemplified the band's raw three-piece sound, were abandoned following the shift of the band's sound following the addition of two members, keyboard player Rob Miller and Chris Day on guitar.

Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers had moderate success in 1986 with their independently released album, Walkin' On the Water. The band's national major-label debut came when Columbia Records released Rumble in 1988, followed by Guitar Trouble in 1990. A third album was recorded, but the label chose not to release it. Conwell has made that available on his website.