Tom Jones (singer)

Sir Thomas Jones Woodward, known professionally as Tom Jones, is a legendary Welsh singer.

He is famous for his robust baritone voice. A baritone is a type of male singing voice that sits between a high tenor and a deep bass. Music critics have described him as a musical shapeshifter. This means he can change his vocal style to fit many genres. He can move from a soulful rasp to a smooth pop croon. His wide range includes pop, R&B, show tunes, country, dance, soul, and gospel music.

Jones's journey to fame began with a difficult childhood in Wales. He was born on June 7, 1940, in Treforest. His father was a coal miner named Thomas Woodward. At age 12, Jones faced a major health challenge when he was diagnosed with tuberculosis. He spent two years in bed recovering from the illness. During this time, he spent his days drawing and listening to music. This period helped him develop a deep connection to sound. He began singing at family weddings and in his school choir to build confidence.

His professional career took off in the 1960s. He first became the frontman for a Welsh beat group called Tommy Scott and the Senators in 1963. His manager, Gordon Mills, later renamed him "Tom Jones" to use the popularity of a famous 1963 film. His first major success came with the song "It's Not Unusual." This track reached number one in the United Kingdom in 1965.

He also recorded the theme for the James Bond film *Thunderball*. In 1966, he won a Grammy Award for Best New Artist.

Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Jones became a massive international star. He recorded several hits that reached the top of the charts in both the UK and the US. These include "What's New Pussycat?" and "Delilah." He also found success in the United States by recording country music in the early 1980s.

During this era, he also became a television personality. He hosted a variety show called *This Is Tom Jones* from 1969 to 1971. This work earned him a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy series.

Jones has maintained a very long and active career in live performance. He began performing in Las Vegas at the Flamingo in 1967. He continued to play in Las Vegas at least one week every year until 2011.

His stage presence became very famous during these years. He often wore tight trousers and unbuttoned shirts as part of his act. His ability to connect with large audiences helped him sell over 100 million records. He has achieved 36 Top 40 hits in the UK and 19 Top 40 hits in the US.

In addition to singing, Jones has explored the world of acting. He made his acting debut in the 1979 television film *Pleasure Cove*. In this film, he played a conman named Raymond Gordon. He also appeared as himself in the 1996 science-fiction comedy *Mars Attacks!* directed by Tim Burton.

In the 1990s, he experienced a major resurgence in popularity. This was partly due to his 1999 album *Reload*, which featured duets with many different artists. The album sold over 4 million copies worldwide and reached number one in the UK.

Today, Sir Tom Jones is recognized for his immense contributions to the music industry. He was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1998. In 2006, Queen Elizabeth II knighted him for his services to music.

He found a new generation of fans through the talent show *The Voice UK*. He served as a coach on the show from 2012 to 2015 and again in later years. His career shows how a single voice can bridge many different musical worlds.