Clizbeats Celebrates The Life Of Our Friend Singer/Songwriter/Executive, Tommy Page (May 24, 1970-March 3, 2017)
Tommy Page By Craig Clizbe
The beginning of March was tough for my brother Matt and I, as we took some time to mourn the loss of our friend, singer/songwriter/music executive/ former Billboard Publisher, Tommy Page. Tommy sadly passed away suddenly on Friday March 3, 2017. He was just 49 years old. The news was first reported the following day from his former home at Billboard, and was covered in several different types of media outlets soon after. His family released a statement after his passing.
“It is with great sadness that we mourn the loss of our beloved Tommy Page who passed away this weekend. Tommy was a devoted father, husband, brother and son. He was loved by all of those he touched and will be sorely missed. Please respect our privacy at this time of deep sorrow.”
He is survived by his partner, Charlie, his children Owen, Ruby, and Alden, his parents Fred and Miriam Page, sister, Janet Hennessey, and his brothers, Bill and Jimmy Page.
That was a very sad weekend for us, and many others who knew Tommy through the years. Out of the many people Matt and I have met through our adventures in the music business, we were lucky enough to be able to call Tommy Page a friend. It is no secret to see how he became so successful in so many different aspects of entertainment. Tommy had a passion for everything he did, and had a positive energy that attracted all kinds of people from all walks of life. One of his God given gifts was his remarkable ability to be a kind and loyal friend. He never hesitated to tell stories and share his experiences, while at the same time doing whatever he could to help.
As a former teen idol singer/songwriter/music executive, and Billboard publisher, Tommy Page was many things to many people. In this post I will do my best to take a look back at his life and career, tell the story of his “dream come true” number one hit, “I’ll Be Your Everything”, and share how he was a supporter of us here at Clizbeats.
Thomas Alden Page was born in Glen Ridge NJ on May 24,1967. After attending James Caldwell High School and singing in a band with his brother Bill, Tommy began the process of pursing his dreams of becoming a professional entertainer. It all started when he in college supporting himself as a cloakroom attendant for the famous New York City nighclub, Nell’s . It was there where Tommy first mingled with celebrities, as he took the coats from the big names like Whitney Houston, Rob Lowe, and The Beastie Boys. Working in a nightclub allowed Tommy to put his musical talent in the spotlight when he got the DJ to put his demo tape in the mix.
That soon caught the ear of Sire Records founder, Seymour Stein. Stein is best known for discovering superstar acts like Madonna, The Ramones, Depeche Mode, Talking Heads, Ice T, and many others. Stein recalled when he first met Tommy in a recently published article on Billboard.com. (3/8/17)
“I first met Tommy Page on a grand night for Sire: the New York premiere of Madonna’s Who’s That Girl film in 1987. Afterward, several of us headed downtown to Nell’s, which had become a hotspot for the music business and art crowds. The coat-check boy was Tommy Page.” Stein then talked about Tommy’s excitement upon meeting him.
“Seymour Stein, I’ve been waiting to meet you all my life!” He looked so young — he was 17 at the time — and admittedly, I was a bit tipsy, so I replied, “Well, that can’t be a very long time!”
That chance meeting helped a very young Tommy take one step closer to making his dreams come true. Stein signed him to a deal with Sire/Warner Bros Records a couple months later, and he hit the ground running. He began working on what was intended to be his first official release under Sire, when he was asked to write the theme song for the Phoebe Cates and Bridget Fonda film, Shag. He did this when he was just 18 years old while the film was still in production in the summer of 1987. The film and soundtrack ended up not being released in the USA until the summer of 1989, but that single would become Tommy’s first official music video. By that time Tommy also had already recorded and released his self-titled debut album. It was then when his career as a professional singer/songwriter began to take off.
“Shag” Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Sire/Warner Bros. Records
Tommy Page
“The Shag”
From Shag Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Sire/Warner Bros. Records
Tommy Page “Tommy Page” Sire/Warner Bros. Records
The Tommy Page album was off to a slow start, debuting at just 166 on the Billboard 200 in June of 1988. But Tommy began to find his fan base after the album’s second single; “A Shoulder To Cry On” was released in February of 1989. It ended up becoming Tommy’s first official hit, peaking at number 29 on the Billboard Hot 100. That was soon followed up by the Dance Pop track, “A Zillion Kisses”, which was able to reach number 45 on the Billboard Dance Club chart respectively. That success allowed Tommy to spend the majority of the year touring with the biggest Pop act in the world at that time, New Kids On The Block. He was an opening act for the boy band’s blockbuster Hangin’ Tough tour, which they co-headlined with MCA Records’ Teen Pop star, Tiffany. This time on the road would help Tommy’s star rise to teen idol status and eventually help him take another step closer to making his dream of topping the charts come true.
Tommy Page
“A Shoulder To Cry On”
From Tommy Page
Sire/Warner Bros. Records
Tommy Page
“A Zillion Kisses”
From Tommy Page
Sire/Warner Bros. Records
It was during that time when Tommy would write his career defining hit “I’ll Be Your Everything” with Jordan Knight and other members of New Kids On The Block. Tommy told the story behind the spontaneous collaboration in Fred Bronson’s book, The Billboard Book Of #1 Hits. The story goes that while on the road with New Kids and Tiffany, a lonely Tommy Page would often find himself in hotel lobbies in various cities around the country, randomly playing tunes on the piano. After doing this regularly for a couple weeks he was eventually noticed by Jordan Knight.
Page told Bronson in the book, “We were at the Hyatt Hotel in Kansas City. Jordan came over and said, ‘Can I sit down on the bench?'”
Tommy played Jordan a new song he had partially written that would become “I’ll Be Your Everything.” Jordan liked what he heard, and Tommy reportedly offered the song to him for the New Kids’ next album. However in response Jordan expressed interest in holding on to it for a possible solo album that he wanted to record in the future. Tommy agreed, but plans would change a month later when he asked Jordan and some of the other New Kids to help him finish the song. Sire and Warner Bros. Records were picking up their option for Tommy to record a second album for them. That inspired Page to ask Jordan if he could include “I’ll Be Your Everything” on the upcoming project. Knight agreed if Tommy allowed him to produce it.
Tommy Page “I’ll Be Your Everything” Sire/Warner Bros. Records
Tommy Page Jordan Knight, and NKOTB member Danny Wood wrote the final version of the song. As promised Tommy did allow Jordan to produce the track, he did so alongside his band mate, Donnie Wahlberg and their collaborator Michael Jonzun. This was a significant achievement for New Kids On The Block because it was recorded at the height of their popularity, and was a unique opportunity for them to show their creativity as songwriters at a time when the majority of their music was still being written by their producer, Maurice Starr.
“I’ll Be Your Everything” was released as the first single from Tommy Page’s second album, Paintings In My Mind. It became a huge success at radio and received heavy rotation on MTV. Tommy talked to Bronson about how he eagerly helped get the song out to radio a little ahead of schedule in February of 1990.
Tommy Page “Paintings In My Mind” Sire/Warner Bros. Records
“The single was not supposed to come out until the end of February,” Page told Bronson. “I was a little devil and started giving the song to people [in radio] I shouldn’t have given it to. But before I knew it, my friends were calling [saying], ‘Your song’s on the radio.'”
“I’ll Be Your Everything” is still one of the most successful singles that the New Kids On The Block have contributed to creatively. It was certified gold by the RIAA and topped the Billboard Hot 100 in April of 1990. Tommy reflected on that success exclusively in an interview that was published here on Clizbeats.com in April 2010 to commemorate the 20th anniversary of “I’ll Be Your Everything” topping the charts.
Tommy Page (With New Kids On The Block)
“I’ll Be Your Everything” (Jordan Knight, Danny Wood, Tommy Page)
From Paintings In My Mind
Sire/Warner Bros. Records
Related Media
Jordan Knight
“I’ll Be Your Everything” (Jordan Knight, Danny Wood, Tommy Page) (Original Demo)
From Jordan Knight Sings NKOTB (Released In 2007)
Essential Media Group LLC
His chart topping success was soon followed by another NKOTB collaboration, “Turn On The Radio”, co-written by Page, Knight, and Wahlberg. The video for that song also captured the experience Tommy was having while on tour with them. Upon hearing the news of his death the members of New Kids On The Block took to social media to mourn his passing.
Our hearts and thoughts go out to @Tommypage‘s family. You will be forever missed. Rest In Peace our friend #RIPTommyPage pic.twitter.com/jW4AahUquB
— NKOTB (@NKOTB) March 5, 2017
R.I.P. @Tommypage https://t.co/gd3k0QARgA
— Danny Wood (@dannywood) March 4, 2017
In your darkness I pray you now find light! Your bright soul will continue to shine in my heart forever. #RIPTommyPage
— Jonathan Knight-Rodr (@JonathanRKnight) March 4, 2017
Recording “I’ll Be Your Everything” w @jordanknight and #tommypage in ’89! Special memories. Great times. #RIPTommyPage pic.twitter.com/TZr1X0fqUc
— Donnie Wahlberg (@DonnieWahlberg) March 5, 2017
— Donnie Wahlberg (@DonnieWahlberg) March 4, 2017
Tommy Page
“Turn On The Radio” (Tommy Page, Jordan Knight, Donnie Wahlberg)
From Paintings In My Mind
Sire/Warner Bros. Records
“I’ll Be Your Everything’s” success allowed Sire/Warner Bros to release follow up singles from Paintings In My Mind. Those included “When I Dream Of You”, which peaked at #42 on the Billboard Hot 100, and “Don’t Give Up On Love”, a duet with Sa Fire.
Tommy Page
“When I Dream Of You”
From Paintings In My Mind
Sire/Warner Bros. Records
Tommy Page Featuring Sa Fire
“Don’t Give Up On Love”
From Paintings In My Mind
Sire/Warner Bros. Records
Tommy’s fan base quickly grew with blockheads falling in love with his sound, as new and exciting opportunities quickly presented themselves. He was one of the artists featured on the soundtrack for the 1990 Warren Beatty blockbuster, Dick Tracy. Also, as mentioned in the 2010 Clizbeats interview Tommy made a famous appearance on the iconic 90s sitcom, Full House. That episode, “Crushed” aired on ABC on January 14, 1992 during the show’s season 5 run.
Dick Tracy Soundtrack (1990) Sire/Warner Bros. Records
Tommy Page
“Blue Nights”
From Dick Tracy Soundtrack
Sire/Warner Bros. Records
Full House (Season 5) Jeff Franklin Productions/Miller-Boyett Productions/Lorimar Television/Warner Bros. Television
Clizbeats.com’s “Tribute To Tommy Page” (Originally Published In April 2010)
Clizbeats Productions
Tommy played himself as a special guest at Stephanie Tanner’s 10th birthday party, singing a song he wrote that was named after her. The guest spot became one of Tommy’s most famous contributions to pop culture that he is still recognized for to this day.
Tommy Page
“Stephanie”
From Full House
Season 5 Episode 16 “Crushed”
Jeff Franklin Productions/MillerBoyett Productions/Lorimar Television/Warner Bros. Television
Tommy Page “From The Heart” Sire/Warner Bros. Records
When it came time for Tommy to record his follow up to Paintings In My Mind, he was making an effort to make the transition from teen idol to a more mature Adult Contemporary sound. That album was, 1991’s From The Heart, and showcased Page using a wider vocal range than on his previous works. It featured his standout single, “Whenever You Close Your Eyes”, which was co-written by Michael Bolton and Tommy’s longtime friend, Diane Warren. Tommy also recorded the Diane Warren composition “You Are My Heaven,” that can also be found on From The Heart. After hearing of Tommy’s passing Diane took to both Twitter and Facebook with an outpouring of love, reflecting on their 29-year friendship.
U never know who is in pain. The ones who truly r never show it
— Diane Warren (@Diane_Warren) March 4, 2017
Someone I lovrd so much was the last person U would ever think would do this. Why why why Tommy??????
— Diane Warren (@Diane_Warren) March 4, 2017
Tommy.💔 pic.twitter.com/CEZeQM1dvp
— Diane Warren (@Diane_Warren) March 4, 2017
Tommy pic.twitter.com/CBGXZtKDEP
— Diane Warren (@Diane_Warren) March 4, 2017
We both miss U Tommy💔 pic.twitter.com/EsNVnrsNHk
— Diane Warren (@Diane_Warren) March 7, 2017
Tommy Page (With Michael Bolton)
“Whenever You Close Your Eyes” (Michael Bolton/Diane Warren)
From From The Heart
Sire/Warner Bros. Records
Tommy Page
“You Are My Heaven” (Diane Warren)
From From The Heart
Sire/Warner Bros. Records
Tommy Page “A Friend To Rely On” Sire/Warner Bros. Records
As music trends changed and Tommy’s teen idol image morphed into an adult eager to try new things. He continued to spend the 90s recording as his star continued to burn bright internationally. After his final album for Sire/Warner Bros, A Friend To Rely On was released in 1992; Tommy signed a new deal with Japanese label Pony Canyon Records. That deal led to albums recorded exclusively for his growing fan base in South East Asia. Those loyal and devoted fans would give Tommy the opportunity to continue to tour the world in recent years.
Tommy Page “Time” Pony Canyon Records
Tommy Page (Duet With Sally Yeh)
“I’m Always Dreaming Of You”
From Time
Pony Canyon Records
Tommy Page
“Tell The World”
From Time
Pony Canyon Records
Tommy Page “Greatest Hits Dedicated To You”
Tiffany “All My Best” MCA Records
Heartbreaking to attend today’s funeral for my friend Tommy Page. I love you tommy, always & forever. pic.twitter.com/2lqIeEYnYv
— Tiffany (@tiffanytunes) March 9, 2017
That became a time of reflection, which resulted in him making the decision to go back to school and finish college. In 1997 Tommy completed his education that he put on hold in the mid 80s when he graduated from NYU’s Stern School Of Business. In a 2010 NYU profile written by Kristine Jannuzzi, Tommy talked about how he was feeling when he made the decision to return to NYU.
“I realized it was harder and harder to transition from my teen pop image into more of a serious adult artist…I didn’t want to fight gravity; I wanted to leave before they kicked me out.”
In that same profile he reflected on how much of an enriching experience it was for him when looking to start the next chapter of his life.
“(It was) a magical time in my life. When people say there’s no campus life at NYU, it’s not true, because my very first experience at NYU was living in 430B in the Weinstein dorm, and I would say about six of my very dearest friends whom I still keep in touch with I met that first day on the fourth and third floors. We bonded and stayed in touch, and I’ll treasure those friendships for the rest of my life.”
That magical time gave Tommy the confidence to return to his musical home at Warner Bros Records to work behind the scenes in the promotions dept. His passion for music and the music industry was alive and well, and a refreshed Page discussed his determination to get back to Warner Bros in his NYU profile.
“They offered me some very low-paying job, but I was still making money from my music overseas, so I didn’t do it for the money. I took the job to get my foot in the door and have the opportunity to grow. Sure enough, after a year, I became a manager and then a director, then a year later a senior director, and now I’m a vice president.” (Published in December 2010)
He began the next chapter of his career at Warner Bros. Records in 1997 shortly after his NYU graduation. During that time he worked his way up in Top 40 Promotions and in the A&R dept. He thrived in his 14 years as a label executive, using his unique perspective as a pop star of years past to inform his decisions when helping foster the careers of new ones. He also got to reunite with his friends from the radio industry that he made when he was working to get “I’ll Be Your Everything” up the charts.
Tommy Page And Paul “Cubby” Bryant
From 103.5 KTU New York
November 2008
He worked on projects from artists like Green Day. Michael Bublé, David Foster, Josh Groban, Alanis Morissette, Ashley Tisdale. The Veronicas, Iyaz, and many others.
A kind and wonderful man who helped me a lot early on. Helped pick my first singles. He was and is so loved. RIP my friend. https://t.co/GgaGwoieuA
— josh groban (@joshgroban) March 4, 2017
)
Without Tommy Page there would not have been a Headstrong or Guilty pleasure album. I don’t understand, no words #rip love you Tommy
— Ashley Tisdale (@ashleytisdale) March 4, 2017
Devastated over the loss of my friend Tommy Page. My heart goes out to Tommy’s friends, family and fans. Rest In Peace. pic.twitter.com/hFUPBHMWnE
— Debbie Gibson (@DebbieGibson) March 4, 2017
Some Select Projects Tommy Was Involved In As An Executive
Josh Groban “Closer” 143/Reprise/Warner Bros. Records
Josh Groban
“You Raise Me Up”
From Closer
143/Reprise/Warner Bros. Records
Michael Buble “It’s Time” 143/Reprise/Warner Bros. Records
Michael Buble
“Home”
From It’s Time
143/Reprise/Warner Bros. Records
Ashley Tisdale “Headstrong” Warner Bros. Records
Ashley Tisdale
“He Said, She Said”
From Headstrong
Warner Bros. Records
Ashley Tisdale “Guilty Pleasure” Warner Bros. Records
Ashley Tisdale
“It’s Alright, It’s Ok”
From Guilty Pleasure
Warner Bros. Records
The Veronicas “Hook Me Up” Sire/Warner Bros. Records
The Veronicas
“Untouched”
From Hook Me Up
Sire/Warner Bros. Records
Iyaz “Replay” Beluga Heights/Asylum/Reprise/Warner Bros. Records
Iyaz
“Replay”
From Replay
Beluga Heights/Asylum/Reprise/Warner Bros. Records
V Factory
“Love Struck”
Reprise/Warner Bros. Records
Craig Clizbe, Tommy Page, Matt Clizbe (2009 At Warner Bros. Records in New York City
Embedded below is what I would call an extended edit of the conversation that he and I had that day. Some parts were not recorded, because it was one of the rare times something went wrong with the phone call recorder while he and I were deep in conversation. In the audio you will hear Tommy’s enthusiasm for finding hit records, reflecting on his life experience in the in the business and proudly relate it to the success he had during his time as a Warner Bros. executive. Part of that came through in the story he told about signing Disney Channel star, Ashley Tisdale. This conversation took place right when Warner Bros. was gearing up to release her second album, Guilty Pleasure.
Clizbeats.com Interview With Tommy Page From Summer 2009 Extended Edit
By Craig Clizbe
Clizbeats Productions
WSTW FM Tribute To Tommy Page By Mike Rossi
WSTW FM
Charice And Tommy Page With Mike Rossi, Matt Clizbe And Craig Clizbe
Performing “Pyramid” (Live In The WSTW FM Studios April 2010)
WSTW FM
Clizbeats TV
“Discover Charice”
Clizbeats Productions
Whenever we would visit any of our contacts in the Warner Music Group building in New York, we would always find new people who also considered Tommy Page a friend. As time went on it was clear that he had his own club of friends that often blended into many of our friendships in the business as well. One of those people was Alicia Madison, a EDM/Pop singer from Freehold N.J. who became Clizbeats’ first artist to featured in our Indie Artist Spotlight in May 2011. Alicia reacted to Tommy’s passing on social media by sharing how he inspired her music career.
He left Reprise/Warner Bros Records in June 2011 to eventually work his way up to becoming Publisher at Billboard Magazine,. Through it all he always made an effort to stay in touch. Matt and I have fond memories of watching him perform “I’ll Be Your Everything” alongside artists like Rubix Kube, Tiffany, JJ Fad, Rob Base and Naughty By Nature at New York’s Canal Room, as his guests in March of 2012. Tommy even took time out of his day to hang out with me at the New Music Seminar in June of 2013 when he was VP Of Music Partnerships at Pandora. He was never too busy, and always did whatever he could to make any of his friends feel special. His mentor Seymour Stein from Sire commented on Tommy’s evolution as an executive in his March 8th tribute in Billboard.
“Tommy and I stayed close, and I watched him go from success to success. He left Warner Bros. to become Billboard’s associate publisher, and within a year he was promoted to publisher — I was so pleased that it was Tommy who presented me with the first Billboard Industry Icon Award in 2012. He went on to top posts at Pandora, Cumulus and Village Voice Media, and continued to tour and record.”
No matter what part of the entertainment world Tommy found himself in, music was always part of his identity. His last music video was for “I Break Down 2015,” a re-worked slowed down version of his song from Paintings In My Mind.
Tommy Page
“I Break Down 2015”
TAP Entertainment/Warner Music Group
