Tommy Chong

  Thomas Bingham Chong is best known as one-half of Cheech & Chong, although his career also includes work as a songwriter, guitarist, actor, comedian, and filmmaker. Beginning in the 1960s with soul and rhythm and blues groups before finding international success in comedy during the 1970s, Tommy developed a style that blended music, improvisation, counterculture humor, and sharp social observations. Tommy is a singer, guitarist, songwriter, comedian, actor, and filmmaker whose laid-back persona eventually became as recognizable as any song he recorded. While Cheech & Chong were comedians, they were every bit as much a part of 1970s popular culture as many of the rock stars featured on this website, making Tommy's stories right at home here.

For all of Tommy Chong's easygoing image, his path through music and comedy was often stranger than many fans realize. The following true Short Stories highlight some of the unique ways he approached his craft and the unexpected moments that shaped his career:

The Real Dog

Long before becoming famous, Tommy was playing guitar in a club band when a local promoter told him the group needed a gimmick. Tommy jokingly suggested bringing a dog onstage because audiences might remember the dog if they forgot the songs. The idea never happened, but it perfectly reflected his willingness to view entertainment from an entirely different angle.

Bobby Taylor's Bet

Tommy helped form Bobby Taylor & the Vancouvers and became close friends with Bobby Taylor. When the group was signed to Motown, Tommy initially doubted whether they would fit into the label's polished system. The gamble paid off. The group recorded several songs for Motown, and Tommy found himself working alongside artists he had previously only admired from afar.

Michael Jackson's Song

One of the songs recorded by Bobby Taylor & the Vancouvers was I Want You Back, written by a young songwriting team assembled by Motown. Tommy later enjoyed telling people that he had once recorded a version of the song before it became a massive hit for The Jackson 5. It was one of those odd footnotes that seemed almost too unbelievable to be true.

Driving Blindfolded

Tommy once admitted that he and Cheech Marin occasionally challenged each other to ridiculous stunts simply because they thought they were funny. One involved Tommy attempting to steer a vehicle while Cheech shouted directions. Thankfully, common sense eventually prevailed, but the story offered a glimpse into how their comedy partnership often spilled into real life.

The Wrong Audience

During the early days of Cheech & Chong, Tommy noticed that some audiences arrived expecting traditional stand-up comedy, while others anticipated a rock concert because of their long-haired appearance. Instead of correcting anyone, Tommy embraced the confusion. By the end of many shows, bewildered spectators frequently became devoted fans, helping transform two unlikely comedians into one of the most successful acts of the decade.

Tommy Chong has always projected an unhurried charm that makes even the most absurd stories sound believable. Whether playing guitar, delivering a punchline, or simply reacting to the chaos around him, he possesses an instinctive sense of timing that allows audiences to feel as though they are sharing a private joke with an old friend. His ability to blur the boundaries between music, comedy, and counterculture has made him a singular figure whose influence extends far beyond the records and films that first made him famous.

Tommy Chong is one-of-a-kind.

Return to Short Stories