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Tom Jones

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Sir Thomas John Woodward, known as Tom Jones, was born in 1940 in Treforest, Wales, the son of a miner. He sang from an early age at family parties and in the school choir, and at the age of twelve spent two years in bed with tuberculosis. In 1963 he became the frontman of the Welsh beat group Tommy Scott and the Senators. The manager Gordon Mills took him to London, named him Tom Jones after the popular 1963 film, and arranged a contract with Decca. His second single, It's Not Unusual, became a number one in Britain in early 1965 and reached the American top ten, partly thanks to the support of the pirate station Radio Caroline.

Music and breakthrough

The following year brought film themes, including for the Bond film Thunderball and What's New Pussycat? by Burt Bacharach and Hal David. In 1966 Jones received a Grammy for Best New Artist. He then grew into a crooner with Green, Green Grass of Home, Delilah and She's a Lady. From 1967 he performed in Las Vegas, in open-necked shirts and tight trousers, and from 1969 to 1971 he had the TV show This Is Tom Jones. His voice is described as a full, robust baritone, with a range that ran from soul to pop crooner.

Influence

In the 1980s he did country, and in 1988 he had a hit with a cover of Prince's Kiss, together with Art of Noise. With the 1999 album Reload, full of duets, he reached the top again, and Sex Bomb became one of his biggest singles. In 2006 he was knighted.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to It's Not Unusual and notice the powerful, full voice above the driving drums and horns. Can you hear how that baritone effortlessly rises above the band?

Discography

Studio albums

In School of Rock

The chapters, maps and magazine stories of School of Rock are currently available in Dutch only.

See also

Categories: Artists