tom jones

Biography

Tom Jones was born Thomas John Woodward on June 7, 1940, in Pontypridd, Wales, where he began singing at an early age in church and school choirs.[1] After leaving school at 15, he worked various manual jobs while singing in clubs at night, and married at 17, starting a family that would ground him throughout his life.[1][4] His breakthrough came in 1963 when Gordon Mills, a London-based manager and songwriter, discovered him performing in South Wales clubs, recognized his potential, and renamed him Tom Jones after the Henry Fielding novel.[1][3] Mills secured him a record deal with Decca Records, and in 1965, Jones released "It's Not Unusual," a song penned by Mills that became his signature hit and launched him to international stardom.[1][2][3]

Throughout the 1960s, Jones dominated the swinging London music scene with a string of chart hits including "What's New, Pussycat?," "Green, Green Grass of Home," and "Delilah," establishing himself as a sex symbol with a fantastic voice and raucous stage presence.[1] He moved to the United States in the late 1960s, where his variety show This Is Tom Jones aired from 1969 to 1971, and he subsequently conquered Las Vegas beginning in the 1970s with steady performances at major hotels like Caesars Palace and the Flamingo.[1] During this Vegas era, his female fans famously threw their underwear onto the stage, creating a philandering ladies' man reputation that became part of his legend.[1]

Jones experienced a remarkable career renaissance beginning in the late 1980s when he collaborated with synth-pop group Art of Noise on a reimagined version of Prince's "Kiss" in 1988, introducing him to a new generation.[1][3] His 1999 album Reload, featuring collaborations with contemporary artists like Robbie Williams, The Cardigans, and Stereophonics, became the biggest-selling album of his career and earned him a Brit Award for Best British Male in 2000.[3] He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2006 for his services to music and became a judge on the UK version of The Voice from 2012-2015 and again from 2017 onward, where his warmth and decades of experience endeared him to contestants and audiences.[1][3] His legacy spans over five decades of sustained popularity across multiple musical styles, from pop and soul to country and rock, with his 41st studio album Surrounded by Time released in 2021.[1]

Fun Facts

• During his Las Vegas performances in the 1970s, female fans began throwing their underwear onto the stage, a phenomenon that became so iconic it defined his public image for decades, despite Jones being married to the same woman until her death in April 2016.[1]
• Jones was so desperate to record "It's Not Unusual" that he reportedly told his manager Gordon Mills, "If I don't do this song, I'm going to give up the business, and I might even kill myself" — the song became his breakthrough hit and signature track.[5]
• He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2006 for his services to music, earning the title Sir Tom Jones, and published his autobiography Over the Top and Back in 2015 at age 75.[1][3]
• Jones has released 41 studio albums throughout his career, demonstrating remarkable longevity and willingness to reinvent himself across multiple musical genres from pop and soul to country and rock.[1]

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Gordon Mills - Manager and songwriter who discovered Jones in South Wales clubs, renamed him, and became his creative partner and mentor throughout his early career ("It's Not Unusual," early hit singles and career development) [1963-1986]

Key Collaborators

• Art of Noise - Synth-pop band that collaborated with Jones on a reimagined version of Prince's "Kiss," which became a global hit and revitalized his career ("Kiss" (1988)) [1988]
• Robbie Williams - Contemporary artist featured on the critically successful album Reload (Reload) [1999]
• The Cardigans - Swedish band featured on the album Reload (Reload) [1999]
• Stereophonics - Welsh rock band featured on the album Reload (Reload) [1999]

Artists Influenced

• Multiple contemporary artists - Jones served as a mentor and judge on The Voice UK, influencing and developing emerging singers including finalist Ruti Olajugbagbe (The Voice UK mentorship) [2012-2015, 2017-present]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. It's Not Unusual (Along Came Jones)
2. Sexbomb (Reload)
3. She's A Lady (Tom Jones Sings She's A Lady)
4. Delilah (Delilah)
5. Green Green Grass Of Home (Green, Green Grass Of Home)
6. (It Looks Like) I'll Never Fall In Love Again (13 Smash Hits)
7. Help Yourself (The Love Collection)
8. You're My World (Tom Jones Sings She's A Lady)
9. I (Who Have Nothing) (I Who Have Nothing)
10. What's New Pussycat?

External Links

• Spotify
• [Wikipedia](Not provided in search results)
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #2008-universal-fire-victim, #ballad, #blue-eyed-soul