Thomas John Woodward was born in Pontypridd, Wales on June 8th, 1940. This British singer has become in the best-selling singer in the history of British music. His current net worth is $250 million. He came from a modest Rhonda Valley mining family.
Tom Jones employed himself in different jobs, from bricklayer, to door to door salesman. At the same time, to make extra money, he created a music band called Tommy Scott and The Senators where he performed at the night in the most remarkable nightclubs of the region, at the same time he took singing lesson to improve his voice during his spare time.
During one of his performances, he was discovered by Gordon Mills, a famous composer who was a member of the group The Viscounts and who became his manager until his death in 1986. Mills took him to London in 1963, and two years later, Tom got his first success with It’s Not Unusual, song composed by the own Mills that managed to be number one in the British “hit parade” and it was supposed to him to be named the best novel artist in the eighth edition of the Grammy awards.
He then had more successful titles like What’s New Pussycat (1965), the main theme of a homonymous comedy whose script was signed by Woody Allen, and The Ballad Country Green, Green Grass of Home (1966), that consolidated his career in the 60s. This success would allow him in 1966 to perform as opening act of the Rolling Stones in London.
Decline in the 70s.
Between 1969 and 1971, Tom Jones had a successful television variety show called This Is Tom Jones which was broadcast on T.V networks such as ABC in the US, or ITV in the UK. But since 1974, his career had a slow decline; It was supposed to be because his style was going out of fashion, with the advent of funky and disco music.
Upturn in the 80s.
On July 29, 1986 his manager, Gordon Mills, died and his son Mark managed to run his career. Mark managed to relaunch his career starting in 1987 when Tom Jones returned to the charts with the song A Boy From Nowhere. He then recorded a version of Prince’s classic pop song, Kiss alongside the British avant-garde set Art of Noise. The cover became an instant success.
In 1993, he signed a contract with Interscope Records, in which he released the album The Lead And How to Swing It, an immediate success that has won younger audiences. In 1998, he performed with Robbie Williams at the Brit Awards singing a selection of songs from the soundtrack to the movie Full Monty.
Last stage.
Sir Tom Jones has received distinctions as the Brit Awards for his contribution to music in 2003. He has collaborated with other artists such as Wyclef Jean (who produced the album Mr. Jones, released in 2002) and Jools Holland.
On March 29, 2006, he was knighted by the British crown for Queen Elizabeth II for his work as an artist.
At present, Sir Tom Jones is still in force, performing international tours and also concerts at MGM Grand Las Vegas where he presents for ten or twelve weeks a year.
