Tom Jones Pictures, Biography, Profile, Facts, Discography, Filmography, more.

Thomas Jones Woodward was born on 7 June 1940, Tom began singing at an early age. It wasn't unusual in the Valleys towns of South Wales. But the boy was clearly something special: he'd regularly sing at family gatherings, weddings and his mother's Women's Guild meetings.

He also sang in his school choir, although it's said he was once told off for drowning out the rest of them as they sang Men Of Harlech in school assembly.

By the late 1950s Tom had become entranced by the new rock 'n' roll sounds coming from the radio. In his teens he was becoming something of a tearaway, missing school, drinking and chasing girls.

Tom began courting Melinda Trenchard, a local Catholic girl known as Linda. Soon after, however, he was struck down by tuberculosis and bed-ridden for almost a year. It was a critical time for him, but he could do little else but listen to music and draw.

At 16 Tom left school. He married Linda the following year, one month before their son Mark was born. At the time, Tom was working nights in a paper mill, a situation which paid fairly well but was getting in the way of his singing. Something had to give. He gave up working at the mill.

In 1963 he became the frontman for Tommy Scott and the Senators, a local beat group whose former singer Tommy Redman preferred singing ballads. Scott later became a welder in Treforest.

The band's leader Vernon Hopkins lured Tom away from his usual drinking spot after Redman failed to show up one night, and with the help of a crate of beer persuaded him to perform with the Senators at the local YMCA.

It was supposed to be a one-off, but Tom was bitten by the bug. After brief dalliances with playing guitar and drums, he had found his real musical strength: his voice.

It wasn't unusual for him to down 10 or 12 pints of bitter before hitting the stage, but the band weren't too bothered - they were always guaranteed a storming show regardless.

A support slot in Porthcawl, on the bill with Billy J Kramer and the Dakotas, found Tom blowing the headliners off the stage. Indeed, Kramer had to let the Senators have a second set just to keep the crowd happy.

Part of the problem for Tom, though, was his location. The Senators were still all unheard of in London, the base of the music industry.

Two local songwriters, however, offered to help Tom. Raymond Godfrey and John Glastonbury had contacts with London-based music publishers, and had been told to find a group to make a demo with their songs. By chance they saw the Senators playing in Caerphilly, and were immediately blown away.

Godfrey and Glastonbury became the band's managers, and helped them record a demo tape. That year, in 1964, they laid down a few tracks with maverick Telstar producer Joe Meek, and took them to various labels in an attempt to get a record deal. The plan was to release a single, Lonely Joe/I Was A Fool, but the ever-flighty Meek refused to release the tapes.

The frustrated group returned to South Wales and continued to play gigs at dance halls and working mens clubs. One night, at the Top Hat in Cwmtillery, Tom was spotted by Gordon Mills, a London-based manager originally from South Wales.

Gordon later said, "The first few bars were all I needed to hear; they convinced me that here was a voice that could make him the greatest singer in the world".

Gordon Mills struck a deal with Godfrey and Glastonbury, and they gave up managerial responsibility in exchange for five per cent of Tom's future earnings. It would later be the cause of a bitter legal struggle. Mills became Tom's manager, and took the young singer to London.

He also renamed him Tom Jones (there was another Tommy Scott singing in London). The Senators became the Playboys, and later still the Squires. It was the beginning of the second phase in Tom's career.

Fortunately, Decca rekindled their early interest, and Jones recorded his first single, Chills And Fever, for them in late 1964.

The single didn't chart, but the follow-up, It's Not Unusual, was an instant smash hit. Its orchestrated arrangement coupled with Jones energetic delivery proved infectious, and the song reached number one in the UK and the top ten in America. And so a star was born.

A string of hits followed, including Once Upon A Time, With These Hands and Burt Bacharach's classic What's New Pussycat.

In 1965 Tom sang the theme tune to the James Bond film Thunderball, which starred Sean Connery. He also met Elvis that year, starting a friendship that would endure until Presley's death in 1977.

In 1966, Tom released his most successful single ever: Green, Green Grass Of Home was to become Tom's second chart topper. He first heard the song on a Jerry Lee Lewis album, Country Songs For City Folks, but the song was interpreted by many to refer to Jones' native Wales.

The following year, 1967, Tom performed for the first time in Las Vegas, at The Flamingo. In future years he would return time and time again. Indeed, Tom's time in Las Vegas saw him elevated to superstar status in America, a position he enjoys to this day.

One of Tom's best-loved singles was released in 1968. Delilah was a dark tale of murder and infidelity, but people were entranced by the melody and Jones' unforgettable delivery. It became a big hit.

From then he went on to Caesar's Palace, where Tom's shows were traditionally a knicker-hurling frenzy of raw sexual tension and good-time entertainment.

The Tom Jones Show, broadcast from February 1969, was a huge television success, for which he was paid $9 million per series by Lew Grade. Before the show's end in 1971, Tom appeared with stars including Johnny Cash, The Bee Gees, Janis Joplin and The Moody Blues.

However, just as things were all going smoothly, a couple of spanners hit the works. First of all, Tom's former managers Godfrey and Glastonbury took him to court to recoup money they said was entitled to them. Then, The Senators finally disbanded, mainly due to Tom's TV and Las Vegas appearances - where they weren't needed.

Resentful of the high taxes he was forced to pay in Britain, Tom spent much of the 1970s in America as a tax-avoidance scheme. He, along with Gordon Mills and Englebert Humperdinck, set up a record label, MAM.

Then, in 1974, Tom finally moved to America, buying the mansion formerly belonging to Dean Martin. Based in Los Angeles' Bel Air, it cost the singer $1 million.

With furniture shipped over from Britain, and a Green Card granting American citizenship, many thought Tom had turned his back on the green, green grass of home. "I love Britain and I love living there," he said. "It's home. But I've been forced into exile and I don't like it one little bit."

The 1970s saw Tom's popularity levelling off somewhat. Indeed, he was seen by many as an old warhorse, a man out of time. But the hits kept on coming: Daughter Of Darkness, She's A Lady, Till and The New Mexican Puppeteer were all hits in the UK, although he did release a number of misses as well.

Then, in 1977 two significant things happened. Firstly, Tom's good friend and mentor Elvis Presley died. And in April Tom released his single Say You'll Stay Until Tomorrow. Not the most remarkable release, but it was the last time Tom would trouble the singles chart for the next 10 years.

Tom's son Mark became his father's manager. Mark revamped his image, ditching the medallions and big hair in favour of a new, modern look. He worked on a new sound for Tom, and in April 1987 the singer re-entered the singles chart again.

A Boy From Nowhere was a big-time ballad, hardly far removed from what had gone before, but most importantly it got Tom back in the public eye.

Just a few months later, Tom appeared on Jonathan Ross' show The Last Resort. He performed a version of Prince's Kiss, and it went down an absolute storm. Tom recorded it with The Art Of Noise, and it was another hit. Tom was back.

Mark brought Tom to a whole new generation of fans. After a brief collaboration with Van Morrison, Tom hosted a new TV show, The Right Time.

In 1993 he signed to Interscope (home to Snoop Dogg, Dr Dre and, latterly, Eminem), and released the album The Lead And How To Swing It. On it, he collaborated with people including Teddy Riley, Flood and Youth.

In 1995 Tom headlined Glastonbury, to a rapturous reception. In 1998 he performed a medley of songs from the film The Full Monty with Robbie Williams at the Brit Awards. Also that year, Space and Cerys Matthews released The Ballad Of Tom Jones.

His hugely successful 1999 album Reload, a collection of duets with some of the year's brightest stars, brought him back into the limelight where he's always been most comfortable.

It was an evening of historical reflection that was set at the foot of the Lincoln Memorial. A major tour followed in Europe, Australia, US, Scandinavia and the UK, with the final leg including five Wembley Arena dates and seven shows at the Cardiff International Arena. It was the largest and most successful tour of his career.

He also recorded Perfect World for the soundtrack of Disney's feature animation film The Emperor's New Groove. Written by Sting and Dave Hartley, the song is showcased at the beginning of the film as the main character is introduced.

Throughout 2000, Tom garnered several honours for his work, including a Brit Award for Best Male. He was also profiled in a South Bank Show by Melvyn Bragg.

2001 saw tours in such diverse places as the Middle East, western Europe, the USA, UK and eastern Europe. A highlight was a performance with Pavarotti at his festival in Modena, Italy, benefiting Afghan children in Pakistan. In London, Tom was honoured with the prestigious Silver Clef Award for Lifetime Achievement by the UK music industry charity Nordoff Robbins, which works with autistic children using music therapy.

2002 saw the release of Mr Jones, a collaboration with former Fugees member Wyclef Jean and Jerry Wonder Duplessis. The album was recorded in New York and was an attempt at modernising Tom's music.

The four CD set The Definitive: 1964-2002, released in 2003, collected some of the best moments from the first four decades of Jones' career, and includes songs from the best selling hits of It's Not Unusual and Kiss to rare covers such as Sittin' On The Dock of the Bay and Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone. The same year he also released another Greatest Hits album, undertook a massive tour of Europe and was presented with a Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music.

2004 saw the release of a collaboration with Jools Holland. The album Tom Jones & Jools Holland featured songs including Howlin' Wolf's 200lbs Of Heavenly Joy, My Babe, Who Will The Next Fool Be and the classic Hanging Up My Heart For You.

Tom enjoys a consistent international touring schedule throughout the year. He lives with his wife of 48 years, Melinda, in their home in Los Angeles. His sister lives close by. His son Mark, and daughter-in-law Donna, have managed his career since 1987. His grandson Alexander was born in 1983 and granddaughter Emma in 1987. Both were born in Los Angeles and are now being educated in England.

In 1967, Frank Sinatra told Tom Jones that the Welshman's voice would go if he didn't change the way he sang. Tom reportedly laughed and said: 'But what other way is there? I'll be around until the green, green grass is turned into a car park'.

Tom Jones Trivia / Timeline:

His song "Sex Bomb" was so successful, a group of girls in the Philippines was formed and named after the song. That group was very successful 3 years after the song was released.

Sister: Shelia Woodward

Had UK 26 Top 20 hits between 1965 and 1999.

Singer.

He won a Grammy as Best New Artist in 1965.

Awarded an OBE in the 1999 New Years honours list.

Has a son and a daughter. Also has a grandson (son Mark's son).

His son is now his manager.

Won a Brit Award for Best Male Artist in 2000 for the first time in more than 30 years of his music career.

Lives in Bel Air, Los Angeles.

He once performed 'It's Not Unusual' live to the audience and as he was dancing, he ripped the bottom part of his trousers!

Contrary to widespread belief, 'It's not unusual' was not his debut single. 'Chills and fever' was released 6 months earlier. It later became an audience favourite.

Had a debut UK no.1 with 'It's Not Unusual' in 1965.

Allegedly passed out in the studio after holding the final note of "Thunderball", while recording the song from the James Bond movie of the same name.

Tom Jones Quotes:

You can't be a sexy person unless you have something sexy to offer. With me, it's my voice: the way that I sing, the way I express myself when I sing.

A woman actually took her underwear off and threw it at me on stage. Nobody had ever done that before. It was very daring and very sexy. Then it became a joke. If I'm doing a ballad and trying to create a mood, then undies are appearing from nowhere, then it's a problem. But you can't tell an audience what to do.

I have had some pretty wild nights! I think the media keeps a very close eye on what people are up to these days. I was out with George Clooney a few nights ago and we had a great time.

As for the music business itself, the key things have not changed that much. It operates like any business and money still keeps things moving.

I like to drink to suit my location.

I haven't become an American! Having a house in LA is just where the house is. It's just a convenience thing living there. I carry Wales around inside me. I'd consider moving back there one day. I never really left.

I love listening to new stuff, at home in LA I always have the radio on to hear what is happening.

There's plenty for me to do. There are more albums. I'll record as long as I can and as long as my voice works as well as it does now and for as long as people want to hear me.

I've always worn jewellery but for a time it went out of fashion. Like grungy and punk bands didn't wear jewellery because it was stupid.

Winning the Outstanding Contribution award is great, because you know you have won in advance. Previously, I have been really nervous during the ceremony because you have no idea if you are going to get called up on stage. This time I could relax and enjoy myself.

Whenever I've been asked to be in a film, directors only want me to play myself... I'm fascinated by the thought of being an actor, but it's too hard. And I think Shakespeare-which has been suggested to me-might be a bit of a stretch.

Tom Jones Discography:

Albums:

1965: Along Came Jones

1966: A-Tom-Ic Jones

1966: From The Great

1966: Green, Green Grass Of Home

1967: Live At The Talk Of The Town

1967: 13 Smash Hits (compilation)

1968: Delilah

1968: Help Yourself

1969: Tom Jones Live In Las Vegas

1969: This Is Tom Jones

1970: Tom

1970: I, Who Have Nothing

1971: Tom Jones Sings She's A Lady

1971: Tom Jones Live At Caesar's Palace, Las Vegas

1972: Close Up

1973: The Body And Soul Of Tom Jones

1973: Tom Jones: Greatest Hits (compilation)

1974: Somethin' 'Bout You Baby I Like

1975: Memories Don't Leave Like People

1975: Tom Jones: 20 Greatest Hits (compilation)

1976: Tom Jones Sings 24 Great Standards (compilation)

1977: Say You'll Stay Until Tomorrow

1978: What A Night (compilation)

1978: I'm Coming Home (compilation)

1979: Super Disc Of Tom Jones (compilation)

1979: Tom Jones Sings The Hits (compilation)

1979: Do You Take This Man? (compilation)

1980: Rescue Me

1980: The Very Best Of Tom Jones (compilation)

1980: Rescue Me (compilation)

1980: The Golden Hits (compilation)

1981: Darlin'

1983: 16 Love Songs (compilation)

1983: The Tom Jones Album (compilation)

1985: The Country Side Of Tom Jones (compilation)

1986: The Soul Of Tom Jones (compilation)

1986: Love Songs (compilation)

1987: Matador - The Musical Life Of El Cordorbes

1987: The Great Love Songs (compilation)

1987: Tom Jones - The Greatest Hits (compilation)

1987: It's Not Unusual - His Greatest Hits (compilation)

1989: At This Moment

1989: After Dark

1989: Move Closer

1991: Carrying A Torch

1994: The Lead And How To Swing It

1995: The Legendary Tom Jones - 30th Anniversary Album (compilation)

1997: The Best Of Tom Jones (compilation)

1998: The Ultimate Hits Collection (compilation)

1999: Reload

2002: Mr Jones

2003: Greatest Hits (compilation)

2003: The Definitive: 1964-2002 (box set)

2004: Tom Jones And Jools Holland

Singles:

February 1965: It's Not Unusual (1)

May 1965: Once Upon A Time (32)

July 1965: With These Hands (13)

August 1965: What's New Pussycat (11)

January 1966: Thunderball (35)

May 1966: Once There Was A Time/Not Responsible (18)

August 1966: This And That (44)

November 1966: Green Green Grass Of Home (1)

February 1967: Detroit City (8)

April 1967: Funny Familiar Forgotten Feelings (7)

July 1967: I'll Never Fall In Love Again (2)

November 1967: I'm Coming Home (2)

February 1968: Delilah (2)

July 1968: Help Yourself (5)

November 1968: A Minute Of Your Time (14)

May 1969: Love Me Tonight (9)

December 1969: Without Love (10)

April 1970: Daughter Of Darkness (5)

August 1970: I (Who Have Nothing) (16)

January 1971: She's A Lady (13)

May 1971: Puppet Man (49)

October 1971: Till (2)

March 1972: The Young New Mexican Puppeteer (6)

April 1973: Letter To Lucille (31)

September 1974: Something 'Bout You Baby I Like (36)

April 1977: Say You'll Stay Until Tomorrow (40)

April 1987: A Boy From Nowhere (2)

May 1987: It's Not Unusual (re-issue) (17)

December 1987: I Was Born To Be Me (61)

October 1988: Kiss (with Art Of Noise) (5)

April 1989: Move Closer (49)

January 1991: Couldn't Say Goodbye (51)

March 1991: Carrying A Torch (with Van Morrison) (57)

June 1992: Delilah (re-issue) (68)

February 1993: All You Need Is Love (19)

October 1994: If I Only Knew (11)

September 1999: Burning Down The House (with The Cardigans) (7)

December 1999: Baby, It's Cold Outside (with Cerys Matthews) (17)

March 2000: Mama Told Me Not To Come (with Stereophonics) (4)

May 2000: Sex Bomb (with Mousse T) (3)

November 2000: You Need Love Like I Do (with Heather Small) (24)

October 2002: Tom Jones International

February 2003: Black Betty

Tom Jones Filmography:

Miscellaneous Crew:

Intolerable Cruelty (2003) (singer: "If I Only Knew")

"Duck Dodgers" (2003) TV Series (singer: "The Duck Dodgers Theme")

Someone Like You... (2001) (singer: "Burning Down the House") ... aka Animal Attraction (UK)

... aka Someone Like You... (USA)

The Emperor's New Groove (2000) (singer: "Perfect World")

"G String Divas" (2000) TV Series (singer: "Sex Bomb")

Agnes Browne (1999) (singer: "She's a Lady" and "Delilah")

Little Voice (1998) (singer: "It's Not Unusual")

"Sex and the City" (1998) TV Series (singer: "Sex Bomb")

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998) (singer: "She's a Lady")

The Full Monty (1997) (singer: "You Can Leave Your Hat On")

Stag (1997) (thanks)

Chao ji ji hua (1993) (singer: "Kang Fu Fighting") (1996 US version) ... aka Once a Cop ... aka Police Story 3 Part 2 ... aka Police Story 4: Project S

... aka Police Story V ... aka Project S ... aka Supercop (UK) ... aka Supercop 2 (USA)

Mars Attacks! (1996) (singer: "It's Not Unusual")

Bound (1996) (singer: "She's A Lady")

To Wong Foo Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar (1995) (singer: "She's a Lady")

Edward Scissorhands (1990) (singer: "It's Not Unusual", "Delilhah" and "With These Hands")

The Pink Panther Strikes Again (1976) (singer: "Come To Me")

Thunderball (1965) (singer: "Thunderball") ... aka Ian Fleming's Thunderball (UK: complete title)

What's New, Pussycat (1965) (singer) ... aka Quoi de neuf, Pussycat? (France)

As Actor:

The Emperor's New Groove (2000) (voice) .... Theme Song Guy

Silk n' Sabotage (1994) .... Photographer ... aka Wild Child 2 (USA: DVD title)

Comic Relief (1991) (TV) ... aka Comic Relief 3: The Stonker (UK)

The Ghosts of Oxford Street (1991) (TV)

Pleasure Cove (1979) (TV) .... Raymond Gordon