Thomas Adrian Sands was born August 27, 1937, in Chicago. His father was a pianist and his mother a singer with Art Kassel's band. When he was seven years old he taught himself to play guitar and at the age of eight he was on the air twice weekly at station KWKH in Shreveport, Loiusiana. He also appeared on WBKB TV's "Barn Dance" in Chicago.

In 1952, Col. Tom Parker (Elvis Presley's manager) became Tommy's manager. By 1954, Sands was voted 13th Most Promising Male Vocalist in Cashbox. In 1955, he toured with Elvis and in December, '56, Tommy auditioned for a Kraft Television Theatre play, "The Singing Idol". This play was loosely based on Elvis' life, but he wasn't available, so both Elvis and Col. Parker recommended Tommy Sands. "The Singing Idol" (one of the most successful shows in television history) aired January 30, 1957 on NBC and Tommy became an overnight sensation. The featured song "Teenage Crush" quickly climbed to #3 on the radio charts and became a million-seller for Tommy and Capitol Records in just one week.

Tommy wrote the title song for his first motion picture, "Sing Boy Sing", with poet and long time friend Rod McKuen. This movie (co-starring Edmund O'Brien and Nick Adams) was followed by "Mardi Gras" with Pat Boone; a starring role in "Babes In Toyland" with Annette Funicello and Ray Bolger; "Love In A Goldfish Bowl" with Fabian; "The Longest Day" with John Wayne, Richard Burton and Sean Connery; "Ensign Pulver" with Jack Lemmon; "None But the Brave" with Frank Sinatra and Clint Walker; and "The Violent Ones" with David Carradine.

Tommy Sands was on the cover of more teen magazines than any other teen idol during the mid to late fifties. He had a respectful, clean image and tons of talent to go along with his high public appeal. He was married to Nancy Sinatra from 1960 to 1965.

Tommy has performed in over one hundred TV dramas and has made countless variety show appearances. He has had five Emmy nominations. As a nightclub entertainer, he has toured the U.S., Europe, Australia and Japan. A new re-mastered collection of his songs, "Rare Gems - Volume Two - Tommy Sands" has just been released by the SnailWorx label for digital download on multiple websites.