Tom Jones(I)
- Music Artist
- Music Department
- Actor
Tom Jones was born Thomas Jones Woodward in Pontypridd, South Wales, to
a traditional coal-mining family, the son of Freda (Jones) and Thomas
Woodward. His father was of English descent and his mother was of Welsh
and English ancestry. He began singing at an early age in church and in
the school choir. Left school at 16 and was married, having a son a
year later. He brought in money for his family from an assortment of
jobs, singing in pubs at night. By 1963, he was playing regularly with
his own group in the demanding atmosphere of working mens clubs.
Gordon Mills, a performer who had
branched out into songwriting and management went to see him. He became
his manager and landed him a record contract in 1964. They made a great
team and had huge international success with their second single, a
song penned by Mr Mills -- "It's Not Unusual." An avalanche of gold
singles and albums followed. Mr Jones, a vocal powerhouse, has
sustained his popularity for over three decades, and his recordings
have spanned the spectrum of musical styles.
