Tom Jones

Tom Jones

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Biography

Sir Tom Jones OBE (born Thomas Jones Woodward, 7.6.1940)

Tom Jones is a Welsh singer, who rose to fame in the 1960s. He has sold over 100 million records across the globe and is considered one of the world's most iconic singers.

Tom Jones: Musical Career

In the early 1960s, Tom Jones became known for his flamboyant dress sense and overt sexuality and in 1963, he was chosen as the front-man for a Welsh band named Tommy Scott and The Senators. Although the band gained notoriety in Wales, they were unknown outside of the region.

The band worked with the legendary producer Joe Meek in 1964. They planned to release 'Lonely Joe' and 'I Was A Fool' as a single but the eccentric Joe Meek refused to release the tapes, forcing the band to return to Wales, playing in working men's clubs.

Tom Jones was eventually spotted by Gordon Mills, a music manager based in London, but originally from South Wales. It was Mills that chose the moniker Tom Jones; a reference to Henry Fielding's The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling. It was also Mills who had renamed Arnold George Dorsey as Engelbert Humperdinck. The Senators were renamed the Playboys and then The Squires.

Tom Jones' early style was heavily indebted to Elvis Presley and many UK record companies found him too abrasive and raucous. The song 'It's Not Unusual', composed by Gordon Mills and Les Reed became an immediate hit in 1965. Initially, the BBC refused to play the track but it was picked up by pirate radio station Radio Caroline. Eventually, the track reached number one in the UK and entered the top 10 in the US. Later that year, Tom Jones sang the theme tune to Thunderball, the James Bond film. He received that year's Grammy Award for Best New Artist.

Tom Jones' most successful single, 'The Green Green Grass Of Home' was released in 1966, inspired by Jerry Lee Lewis' version. He began releasing songs with a broader public appeal, such as 'What's New Pussycat?' and 'Delilah'.

In the late 1960's Tom Jones took on a number of high profile residencies in Las Vegas clubs, such as the Flamingo and Caesar's Palace. It was here that he became famed for having knickers thrown at him by his female fans. The knickers were shortly followed by hotel room keys. It was in Las Vegas that Tom Jones established a friendship with the late Elvis Presley.

Between 1969 and 1971, Tom Jones had his own hit TV show, This Is Tom Jones, shown both in the UK and the US. At the start of the 1980s, he had another show named The Tom Jones Show.

In 1970, Tom Jones was paired up with Raquel Welch for a TV special entitled Raquel! The programme was viewed by millions across the globe and featured guest performances from John Wayne and Bob Hope.

In the 1970s, Tom Jones had a number of successful single releases, such as 'She's A Lady', 'Daughter of Darkness' and 'The New Mexican Puppeteer'.

The 1980s were a barren time for Tom Jones. His manager, Gordon Mills died in 1986 and Tom's son, Mark, became his manager. Though his notoriety was waning, he re-entered the UK charts with 'A Boy From Nowhere', followed by a cover of 'Kiss' by Prince, which he recorded with The Art Of Noise. Jones signed to Interscope Records in 1993. He became quickly credible with younger audiences when he appeared at the Glastonbury Festival and in 1998, he performed with Robbie Williams at the BRIT awards.

The following year, he released an album of duets, entitled Reload, on which he performed with the likes of Cerys Matthews (of Catatonia), Stereophonics, Lenny Kravitz, Heather Small and James Taylor Quartet. He later collaborated with Jools Holland and Wyclef Jean, demonstrating a keen ability to adapt to a number of different genres. Tom Jones returned to play at the Glastonbury Festival in 2009.



Biography by Contactmusic.com

Streaming Until You're Blue In The Face: Are Artists Under Paid Each Time You Listen To One Of Their Songs?


Mick Jagger Sir Paul McCartney Tom Jones Kate Bush Wolf Alice Damon Albarn Coldplay Drake

In a recent open letter to the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, major players in the UK music industry, including Sir Mick Jagger, Sir Paul McCartney and Sir Tom Jones, have called for a major reform of the way that they, and their fellow musicians, are paid by streaming sites. They argue that, "the law has not kept up with the pace of technological change." It is true that streaming sites pay in a different way to how payments were and are calculated for radio air play, but does that mean that the payment is too small or that the way it is calculated needs to change? 

https://admin.contactmusic.com/images/home/images/content/mick-jagger-dpa-pa-1780212_0.jpg

It was recently reported by the BBC that, "On streaming services, labels retain the majority of the money - with the artist receiving about 13% on average, and session musicians receiving nothing." This compares to a radio payment model where "royalties are split evenly between the record label and the artists/songwriters, with a small portion going to session musicians and backing performers, a system known as equitable remuneration."

Continue reading: Streaming Until You're Blue In The Face: Are Artists Under Paid Each Time You Listen To One Of Their Songs?

Sir Tom Jones Cancels Gigs Because Of "Bacterial Infection"


Tom Jones

Sir Tom Jones has been forced to cancel a second live show after falling ill with what is being described as a “bacterial infection”.

The 78 year old Welsh singing legend had been due to perform at Stansted Park on Wednesday this week (July 18th) and Chester Racecourse the following evening. However, after cancelling the Stansted concert outright, the Chester gig has now been re-arranged for August.

Jones has been recovering in hospital in recent days after falling ill earlier this week.

Continue reading: Sir Tom Jones Cancels Gigs Because Of "Bacterial Infection"

Tom Jones' Estranged Son Is A Homeless Busker


Tom Jones

Tom Jones could be facing criticism once more over his rejection of his illegitimate son Jonathan Berkery, who has been spotted busking in the streets of New Jersey, singing his father's hits while begging for money. Jones has long insisted he wants nothing to do with his son, but Jon isn't ready to give up hope.

Tom Jones at the Brit AwardsTom Jones at the Brit Awards

The 29-year-old is going by the name of Jon Jones as he performs covers of songs like 'Delilah' and 'It's Not Unusual' on the streets, and was recently photographed with a sign reading 'I need money (please help)'. He currently lives in a homeless shelter in Hoboken, New Jersey, and scrapes by on just over $7 an hour stacking shelves at a grocery store.

Continue reading: Tom Jones' Estranged Son Is A Homeless Busker

Sir Tom Jones Warns That Sexual Harassment And Abuse Is Common In Music Industry Too


Tom Jones Harvey Weinstein

In the wake of the ongoing Harvey Weinstein scandal that has blown the lid off sexual harassment and abuse in Hollywood over the last fortnight, pop legend Sir Tom Jones has warned that similar behaviour was, and still is, rife in the music industry.

The 77 year old Welsh crooner was discussing the Harvey Weinstein scandal in an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live’s Afternoon Edition on Wednesday (October 18th), and said that the lurid practices levelled against the disgraced producer and others in the movie industry had also happened to female and male stars in the pop world.

“Things have always happened in the music industry as well,” Jones explained. “There's been people complaining about publicists and different things they've been expected to do to get a record contract, just like a film contract.”

Continue reading: Sir Tom Jones Warns That Sexual Harassment And Abuse Is Common In Music Industry Too

Sir Tom Jones Considering Quitting 'The Voice UK' After Current Series


Tom Jones

Just a few months after making his comeback to the judging panel of ‘The Voice UK’, legendary singer Sir Tom Jones is believed to be considering quitting the reality talent contest after the end of the current series.

The 76 year old crooner was famously dropped by the BBC for the final series on the network in 2016, in what was widely criticised as an unpopular move.

He has been praising the format changes made on the revamped show on ITV, after he was restored to the judging panel alongside newcomers Jennifer Hudson and Gavin Rossdale, but a new report in The Sun suggests that the hectic filming schedule has worn him down and forced him to re-think his future with the show.

Continue reading: Sir Tom Jones Considering Quitting 'The Voice UK' After Current Series

Sir Tom Jones Is Dating Priscilla Presley


Tom Jones Priscilla Presley Elvis Presley

Sir Tom Jones has started dating again.

The 76-year-old singer lost his wife Linda to cancer last year, and after almost one year of mourning the 'Sex Bomb' hitmaker has now moved on as he has reportedly started dating Priscilla Presley - who is the former partner of the late Elvis Presley - and has ''enjoyed'' her company over recent weeks.

Speaking to The Sun newspaper about the 'The Voice UK' judges love life, a source said: ''Tom has had a tough year following the death of Linda, but he has enjoyed Priscilla's company.

Continue reading: Sir Tom Jones Is Dating Priscilla Presley

Tom Jones Channels Jerry Lee Lewis With Impromptu Performance On 'The Voice UK'


Tom Jones

It's been two days and people are still talking about Tom Jones' marvellous impromptu performance of 'Great Balls of Fire' on the 'The Voice UK' at the weekend. It's always a treat to hear an unexpected jam from a major musician, because you just never see it these days.

Tom JonesTom Jones performed 'Great Balls of Fire' on The Voice UK

Episode two of the televised singing contest aired on Saturday night (January 14th 2017) with another round of blind auditions. Tom Jones entertained his fellow judges Gavin Rossdale, Jennifer Hudson and will.i.am, as well as the appreciative audience, by launching into a flawless rendition of the classic Jerry Lee Lewis hit 'Great Balls of Fire' from 1964.

Continue reading: Tom Jones Channels Jerry Lee Lewis With Impromptu Performance On 'The Voice UK'

Sir Tom Jones seen arriving at the 2016 ITV Gala held at the London Palladium Theatre - London, United Kingdom - Thursday 24th November 2016

Sir Tom Jones
Sir Tom Jones
Sir Tom Jones
Sir Tom Jones

Sir Tom Jones at The ITV Gala held at the London Palladium, London, United Kingdom - Thursday 24th November 2016

Sir Tom Jones
Sir Tom Jones
Sir Tom Jones

Sir Tom Jones at the 2016 The Pride of Britain Awards held at the Grosvenor Hotel, London, United Kingdom - Monday 31st October 2016

Sir Tom Jones

Sir Tom Jones at the 2016 The Pride of Britain Awards held at the Grosvenor Hotel, London, United Kingdom - Monday 31st October 2016

Sir Tom Jones
Sir Tom Jones

The Voice UK coaches (Will.Iam, Jennifer Hudson, Tom Jones and Gavin Rossdale) attend a photocall to promote the start of the blind auditions for The Voice UK. Manchester, United Kingdom - Tuesday 18th October 2016

Will.iam, Jennifer Hudson, Tom Jones and Gavin Rossdale
Jennifer Hudson
Jennifer Hudson
Jennifer Hudson
Jennifer Hudson
Jennifer Hudson

Sir Tom Jones To Take DNA Test In Order To Ascertain Black Ancestry


Tom Jones

Sir Tom Jones has revealed that he’s going to be undertaking a DNA test to discover whether he has black ancestry, having apparently been told many times over the years that he is merely “passing as white”.

His trademark baritone has been the cornerstone of the Welsh legend’s success over more than five decades. Though he was born in the Valleys to a traditional coal-mining family to parents of both English and Welsh descent, Sir Tom gave an interview with The Times magazine at the weekend in which he revealed that many people used to judge by the sound of his voice that he was black.

Tom JonesSir Tom Jones wants to take a DNA test to discover whether any of his ancestors were black

Continue reading: Sir Tom Jones To Take DNA Test In Order To Ascertain Black Ancestry

Tom Jones Hits Out At 'The Voice' Again, Claiming Producers Pressure Judges Into Picking Singers


Tom Jones

Since being axed as a judge on ‘The Voice’ earlier this year, veteran singer Tom Jones as opened up about what its really like behind the scenes on the BBC singing competition. Speaking to The Sunday Telegraph, Jones said judges are pressured into turning their chairs by bosses during the red chair challenge.

Tom JonesTom Jones is not holding back when it comes to criticising ‘The Voice’.

“They kept telling us we needed to turn our chairs more,” Jones told the newspaper. ”And I said no, it has to be real. I don’t want to be lumbered with somebody I don’t like. I have a reputation for picking good voices.”

Continue reading: Tom Jones Hits Out At 'The Voice' Again, Claiming Producers Pressure Judges Into Picking Singers

BBC Boss Sorry To Have Upset Tom Jones Over 'The Voice' Axe


Tom Jones Paloma Faith Boy George Ricky Wilson

Danny Cohen, the BBC’s Director of television has said he feels ‘sorry’ that Tom Jones was upset after the singer was dropped as a judge on talent ‘The Voice’ earlier this month. Following his axing Jones had hit out at the BBC in a Facebook post, saying he had been dropped from the show without ‘conversation or consultation’ by the BBC.

Tom JonesTom Jones was axed from ‘The Voice’ earlier this month.

“I’ve got huge respect for Tom and I’m truly sorry he’s upset, really sorry,” Mr Cohen said. “I’m a big fan of his, I think he’s a gentleman and an extraordinary figure in music and you’ll have seen the huge respect all the artists on The Voice have had for him throughout.”

Continue reading: BBC Boss Sorry To Have Upset Tom Jones Over 'The Voice' Axe

Tom Jones

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Tom Jones

Date of birth

7th June, 1940

Occupation

Musician

Sex

Male

Height

1.77




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