Tom Jones Biography Quotes 9 Report mistakes

Early Life and Roots
Thomas John Woodward was born on 7 June 1940 in Treforest, Pontypridd, in the Welsh county of Glamorgan. Raised in a tight-knit, working-class community shaped by the coal industry, he absorbed music from family gatherings, pubs, and chapel singing, where the power of communal voices left a lasting imprint. A bout of tuberculosis as a boy sidelined him from school and sport for an extended period, but it also deepened his attachment to singing as a daily discipline and solace. Leaving school at sixteen, he took up manual work to support himself while performing whenever and wherever he could.

From Local Stages to a New Name
By the early 1960s, he fronted a band called Tommy Scott and the Senators, building a reputation in South Wales clubs. A decisive turn came when manager Gordon Mills, impressed by the young singer's stagecraft and vocal command, offered professional representation. Mills rebranded him as Tom Jones, a name chosen to align with the 1963 film adaptation of Henry Fielding's novel, and secured a deal with Decca Records. The first single did modestly, but the follow-up, It's Not Unusual, changed everything in 1965. Co-written by Mills and Les Reed, and propelled by Jones's volcanic delivery, it rocketed up the charts and introduced an extroverted performer capable of bridging pop, R&B, and soul.

Breakthrough Hits and Songwriters
The mid-to-late 1960s cemented Jones's standing through a string of indelible singles. What's New Pussycat? was penned by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, harnessing Jones's gusto for a film song that became part of pop culture shorthand. Delilah, written by Les Reed and Barry Mason, and Green, Green Grass of Home, composed by Curly Putman, demonstrated his ability to inhabit dramatic narratives with controlled intensity. She's a Lady, written by Paul Anka, further polished his image in the early 1970s. The alchemy between a commanding baritone and writers attuned to big melodies and emotional punch made him comfortable on both sides of the Atlantic.

Television, Touring, and Las Vegas
As his fame expanded, television amplified his reach. He hosted the variety program This Is Tom Jones from 1969 to 1971, where he performed duets and showcased the exuberant stage persona that became his hallmark. The period also inaugurated a long relationship with Las Vegas, where he joined the ranks of premier live acts. In that environment he forged friendships and professional kinships, notably with Elvis Presley, whose own Vegas era overlapped with Jones's. The two admired each other's command of the stage, and their connection reinforced Jones's stature among American audiences.

Navigating Changing Times
Trends shifted through the 1970s and 1980s, but Jones's durability rested on his voice and willingness to adapt. After years of steady touring, a renaissance arrived with The Art of Noise on a slinky 1988 cover of Prince's Kiss, a collaboration that reintroduced him to a new generation and demonstrated a playful willingness to experiment with contemporary production. In the 1990s, he continued to blend classic vocalism with modern textures, culminating in late-decade successes that brought him back to the top end of charts and television lineups on both sides of the Atlantic.

Albums of Renewal and Critical Respect
Later-career albums emphasized depth, restraint, and interpretive skill. Working with producers who favored live instrumentation and intimate arrangements, Jones issued a series of records that foregrounded gospel, blues, and Americana influences. Praise & Blame (2010) and Spirit in the Room (2012) drew strong critical notices, framing him not merely as a hit-maker but as an interpreter of songs with a storyteller's gravity. Long Lost Suitcase (2015) and Surrounded by Time (2021) extended that path, offering reflective material suited to a seasoned voice that could still summon thunder but also savor quiet.

Mentorship and Television in the New Century
Alongside recording and touring, Jones became a mainstay on television talent competitions, most prominently as a coach on The Voice UK. There he worked with aspiring artists, sharing practical wisdom about song choice, phrasing, and performance stamina. His rapport with fellow coaches, including will.i.am and others across multiple seasons, broadened his influence into mentorship and affirmed his relevance in the contemporary pop ecosystem.

Personal Life and Key Relationships
Jones married his childhood sweetheart, Melinda Trenchard (widely known as Linda), in 1957, a partnership that endured until her death in 2016. Their son, Mark Woodward, born that same year, became a central figure in Jones's professional life; after Gordon Mills's death in 1986, Mark took over management, guiding major career decisions and helping steer the singer through changing industry landscapes. Over decades in the public eye, Jones faced intense scrutiny, including a widely publicized paternity matter in the late 1980s involving Katherine Berkery and her son, Jonathan. He later acknowledged the relationship, while Mark continued to provide steady managerial support. The network around Jones also included peers and collaborators who shaped his trajectory, from Mills and songwriters like Reed, Mason, Bacharach, and Paul Anka to stage companions such as Elvis Presley and touring associates who maintained rigorous live standards.

Honors and Public Recognition
His contributions to music earned formal recognition. He won the Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 1966, received numerous accolades over the decades, and was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1999. In 2006, Queen Elizabeth II knighted him for services to music, a capstone honor reflecting his longevity and cultural impact. Celebrations in Wales and abroad underscored his standing as a national figure whose voice carried a distinctly Welsh timbre into global pop.

Voice, Style, and Legacy
Jones's voice, a resonant baritone with a brassy upper edge, has always been the core of his artistry. Its projection suited big-band arrangements, cinematic ballads, and modern pop; its texture could move from burnished croon to declamatory roar. Crucially, he turned each stylistic shift into a performance challenge rather than a detour, keeping repertoire flexible while maintaining an unmistakable signature. In concert, he balanced polished professionalism with spontaneity, a calculation forged over years of residencies, variety shows, and festival appearances.

Continuity and Cultural Presence
Spanning more than six decades, Tom Jones's career connects the showmanship of mid-20th-century variety with contemporary pop culture. He has worked alongside and in the wake of figures who defined eras, from Elvis Presley and Burt Bacharach to newer producers and television personalities. With Mark Woodward anchoring his business affairs and a catalogue that includes touchstone singles like It's Not Unusual, Delilah, Green, Green Grass of Home, She's a Lady, and later standouts such as Kiss and Sex Bomb, he has remained visible to multiple generations. The through line is a commitment to songcraft, audience engagement, and the resilient, unmistakable sound that began in a Welsh town and carried to stages around the world.

Our collection contains 9 quotes who is written by Tom, under the main topics: Witty One-Liners - Music - Friendship - Nostalgia - Congratulations.

Other people realated to Tom: Burt Bacharach (Composer), Story Musgrave (Astronaut), John Osborne (Playwright), Hugh Laurie (Comedian), Gavin Rossdale (Musician), Jim Sullivan (Musician), Albert Finney (Actor), Jerry Orbach (Actor), Susannah York (Actress), Randy Newman (Comedian)