Tom Jones (singer) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sir Tom Jones OBE
Jones in April 2018
Born	Thomas John Woodward (1940-06-07) 7 June 1940 (age 85) Treforest, Wales
Occupation	Singer
Years active	1963–present
Spouse(s)	Linda Trenchard ​ ​ (m. 1957; died 2016)​
Children	2
Musical career
Genres	Pop R&B soul country gospel
Labels	Columbia Decca Epic Jive Island Mercury Polydor Interscope V2 S-Curve Virgin EMI

Sir Thomas Jones Woodward (born Thomas John Woodward; 7 June 1940) is a famous Welsh singer. His career started in the 1960s with many hit songs. He has performed all over the world, including in Las Vegas for many years. People describe his voice as strong and powerful.

Tom Jones sings many types of music, like pop, R&B, soul, and country. The New York Times once called him a "musical shapeshifter" because he could change his singing style so well. He has sold over 100 million records. He had 36 Top 40 hits in the UK and 19 in the US. Some of his most famous songs include "It's Not Unusual", "What's New Pussycat?", and "Green, Green Grass of Home". He also sang the theme song for the James Bond film Thunderball (1965).

Jones has also tried acting. He was in the TV film Pleasure Cove (1979) and played himself in the movie Mars Attacks! (1996). He was nominated for a Golden Globe Award in 1970 for hosting his TV show This Is Tom Jones. He won a Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 1966. He also received an MTV Video Music Award in 1989 and two Brit Awards. In 2006, Queen Elizabeth II made him a "Sir" for his contributions to music. In recent years, he became popular again as a coach on the TV talent show The Voice UK.

Early Life and Music Beginnings

Thomas John Woodward was born in Treforest, a town in South Wales. His father was a coal miner. His mother was Freda Jones. Tom started singing when he was very young. He would sing at family parties, weddings, and in his school choir.

He didn't enjoy school or sports much. But singing gave him confidence. At age 12, he became sick with tuberculosis. He said this was the "worst time of my life." He spent two years recovering in bed. During this time, he listened to a lot of music and drew pictures.

Tom Jones's singing style was inspired by American soul music. He loved singers like Little Richard, Elvis Presley, and Jerry Lee Lewis.

In 1957, when he was 16, Tom married his girlfriend, Linda Trenchard. They had a son named Mark soon after. To support his family, Tom worked in a glove factory and later in construction.

Becoming a Star

Tom Jones's voice is known for being strong and deep. In 1963, he became the lead singer for a band called Tommy Scott and the Senators. They became popular in South Wales.

Later, a manager named Gordon Mills discovered Tom. Mills helped him get a record deal with Decca. Mills also changed his name to "Tom Jones." This was because a popular movie called Tom Jones had just come out.

His first song, "Chills and Fever," didn't become a hit. But his next song, "It's Not Unusual", became a huge success around the world in 1965. This made him one of the most popular singers during the "British Invasion" of music. In 1965, he also sang the theme song for the James Bond movie Thunderball.

In 1966, Tom Jones won a Grammy Award for Best New Artist. He also met his idol, Elvis Presley, in Hollywood. They became good friends.

After a slight dip in popularity, Tom's manager helped him change his image. He started singing more varied songs. He had more hits like "I'll Never Fall in Love Again" and "Delilah".

Las Vegas and TV Shows

In 1967, Tom Jones performed in Las Vegas for the first time. His energetic performances and stylish clothes became a big part of his show. He often wore open shirts and tight trousers. He performed in Las Vegas every year until 2011.

Jones singing a duet with Janis Joplin on the television programme This Is Tom Jones in 1969

From 1969 to 1971, Tom Jones had his own successful TV show called This Is Tom Jones. It was shown in both the UK and the US. He was even nominated for a "best actor" Golden Globe award for it. He had another TV show from 1980 to 1981.

In the 1970s, Tom Jones continued to have hit songs like "She's a Lady". However, his popularity started to slow down in the mid-1970s. He did have a big country music hit in 1976 called "Say You'll Stay Until Tomorrow".

In 1979, he acted in his first TV film, Pleasure Cove. He played a charming conman. In 1984, he appeared in an episode of Fantasy Island.

In the early 1980s, Tom Jones began singing country music. His manager, Gordon Mills, passed away in 1986. After that, Tom's son, Mark, became his manager.

In 1987, Tom Jones had another hit song in the UK called "A Boy from Nowhere". The next year, he sang a cover of Prince's song "Kiss" with Art of Noise. This song was a big hit and its music video won an MTV Video Music Award.

Return to Fame in the 1990s

The star commemorating Jones at the Orpheum Theatre, Memphis

In 1989, Tom Jones received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. This is a special honor for famous people in entertainment. He performed at the UK's Glastonbury Festival for the first time in 1992. In 1993, he appeared as himself in popular US TV shows like The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and The Simpsons.

In 1999, Tom Jones released an album called Reload. It featured him singing duets (songs with two singers) with many other artists. The album was a huge success, selling over 4 million copies worldwide. It reached No. 1 in the UK. One of the biggest songs from this album was "... Bomb".

21st Century Success

In 2000, US President Bill Clinton invited Tom Jones to perform at the New Year's Eve celebrations in Washington, D.C. That same year, he won a BRIT Award for Best British Male.

In 2003, Tom Jones received another Brit Award for his amazing contribution to music. In 2004, he released an album with pianist Jools Holland called Tom Jones & Jools Holland. It was very popular in the UK.

In 2005, Tom Jones performed a concert in his hometown of Pontypridd. About 20,000 people came to see him. This was his first performance there since 1964.

In 2006, Queen Elizabeth II made him a "Sir" at Buckingham Palace. He said it was "the best thing I have had."

Recent Years and The Voice UK

Performing at Hampton Court Palace in London, 2007

In 2007, Tom Jones performed at the Concert for Diana at Wembley Stadium. He sang with Joe Perry from Aerosmith and Joss Stone. He also sang national anthems before several boxing matches.

In 2008, he released 24 Hours, his first album of new songs in over 15 years in the US. He went on a world tour to promote it. He said, "The fire is still in me. I want to be a contender."

In 2009, Tom Jones reached No. 1 in the UK charts again. This was with a cover of "Islands in the Stream". He sang it with Ruth Jones and Rob Brydon for a charity event. This set a new record for the longest gap between two UK number one hits for an artist.

Jones at House of Blues, Anaheim, 2009

His album Praise & Blame came out in 2010. It mostly featured gospel and blues songs. It reached No. 2 on the UK album chart. By 2010, he had sold over 100 million records.

In 2012, Tom Jones became a coach on the BBC talent show The Voice UK. He helped his team member, Leanne Mitchell, win the first series. He continued as a coach for several seasons. He returned to The Voice in 2017 and has been a coach since.

Jones at the Turku Castle in Turku, Finland, 2012

In 2012, he also released the album Spirit in the Room. He performed at the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Concert in front of Buckingham Palace.

In 2015, he released Long Lost Suitcase. This album was part of a series of three albums. It came out at the same time as his autobiography, Over the Top and Back.

In 2021, Tom Jones released his album Surrounded by Time. In 2022, he performed a song called "I Won't Crumble With You If You Fall" on The Voice UK. He explained that the song reminded him of his late wife, Linda, and her strength. The song quickly became very popular.

Personal Life

Tom Jones was married to his high school sweetheart, Melinda Rose "Linda" Trenchard. They were married from 1957 until her death from cancer in 2016. They married when they were 16, and their son, Mark, was born soon after. After Linda's death, Tom moved from their home in Los Angeles to an apartment in London, as she had wished.

Tom Jones met his idol, Elvis Presley, in 1965. They became close friends. They spent a lot of time together in Las Vegas. Their friendship lasted until Elvis's death in 1977.

In 2015, Tom Jones published his autobiography, Over the Top and Back. He also shared in 2021 that he uses a special exercise called inversion therapy to stay healthy.

Music Style and Influence

Tom Jones's singing style was greatly influenced by American soul music. He looked up to blues, R&B, and rock and roll singers like Little Richard, Solomon Burke, and his friend Elvis Presley.

The band Space and singer Cerys Matthews released a song called "The Ballad of Tom Jones". It's about a couple who stop fighting when they hear his music.

There are also musicals based on his life and music. One is called Tom: A Story of Tom Jones. Another is What's New Pussycat?, which uses his songs in a story set in the 1960s.

Just like Elvis Presley, Tom Jones has many people around the world who imitate his singing and style.

Discography

Studio albums

Live albums

Select compilation albums

Songs Written by Tom Jones

Tom Jones has also written or co-written several songs. These include: "And I Tell the Sea", "Looking Out My Window", "Feel the Rain" from the 2002 Mr. Jones album. He also wrote "Jezebel", "The Letter", "Younger Days", "Tom Jones International", "Holiday", "The Road", "24 Hours", "Seasons", "We Got Love", "Seen That Face", "Give a Little Love", "If He Should Ever Leave You", "Whatever it Takes", and "Traveling Shoes" from the 2012 album Spirit in the Room.

Film and TV Appearances

Awards and Honors

Tom Jones has received many awards throughout his career.

Brit Awards

Other Major Awards

• 1966: Grammy Award for Best New Artist
• 1970: Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Musical or Comedy for This Is Tom Jones
• 1970: Ivor Novello Award for International Artist of the Year
• 1989: MTV Video Music Award – Breakthrough Video for "Kiss"
• 1989: Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
• 1999: Appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
• 2006: Knighthood for "services to music" by Queen Elizabeth II
• 2017: Bambi Award in the category "legend"

See also

In Spanish: Tom Jones (cantante) para niños

• List of Welsh musicians