Tom Jones, the iconic Welsh singer, rose to fame in the 1960s with a series of top ten hits, including “It’s Not Unusual,” “What’s New Pussycat?,” “Green, Green Grass of Home,” and “Delilah.” Known for his powerful baritone voice and dynamic vocal range, he effortlessly transitioned from a husky tone to a smooth croon. Esteemed publications like AllMusic and the NY Times have praised his vocal abilities.
A Journey of Reinvention
Despite his broad appeal across generations, Tom Jones’s image shifted by the mid-70s. Initially seen as a wholesome entertainer, he began to be viewed as a novelty sex symbol with declining appeal. However, his career experienced a remarkable revival starting with his collaboration with the Art of Noise on their cover of Prince’s “Kiss.” This marked the beginning of his transformation into the beloved singer and national treasure he is today.
For Sir Tom’s 80th birthday, Stevie Wonder surprised him by appearing on a big screen and singing Tom’s hit song, “It’s Not Unusual.” After the performance, Wonder shared a heartfelt message about their friendship, bringing tears to Sir Tom’s eyes. It was a beautiful moment between two music legends.
Now 83, Tom Jones asserts that his passion for singing remains as strong as ever, and he continues to tour extensively. He is currently on a global tour with dates scheduled through August 2024. Retirement, he admits, is not on the horizon.
Jones stated, “The only reason I would retire is if I couldn’t sing anymore. If something happened to my vocal ability and I couldn’t perform at full strength, I wouldn’t want to shortchange an audience.” Personally, he is celebrating the joy of having a great-grandson. Jones was married to Melinda Rose “Linda” Trenchard from 1957 until her passing in 2016. His most recent album, “Surrounded by Time” (2021), includes songs reflecting on his wife’s battle with cancer.
When asked about the possibility of participating in a hologram show during his lifetime or allowing his estate to host one after his passing, he responded, “It’s a good question because I’ve never really thought about that… If people want to go and see that then fine. If that’s all you’ve got left of that person and you still want to go and see that because it’s a film of a person you love, then… but I haven’t thought about that because I’m nowhere near that.”