| Tom Jones began singing professionally in 1963, performing as Tommy Scott with the Senators, a Welsh beat group. "Discovered" by former Viscounts singer turned manager Gordon Mills, he was renamed Tom Jones and recorded his first single in late 1964. "Chills And Fever" didn't chart but "It's Not Unusual," released in early 1965, became a number one hit in the U.K. and a Top Ten hit in the U.S. During 1965, Mills also secured a number of film themes for Jones to record, including the Top Ten hit "What's New Pussycat?" (June 1965) and "Thunderball" (December 1965). Jones' popularity began to slip somewhat by the middle of 1966, causing Mills to redesign the singer's image into a more respectable, mature tuxedoed crooner. Jones also began to sing material that appealed to a broad audience, like the country songs "Green, Green Grass Of Home" and "Detroit City." The strategy worked, as he returned to the top of the charts in the U.S. For the remainder of the 1960's, he scored a consistent string of hits in both Britain and America. After Gordon Mills died in the late 1970's, Jones' son, Mark Woodward, became the singer's manager. The change in management prompted Jones to begin recording again. This time, he concentrated on the country market, releasing a series of slick Nashville-styled country-pop albums in the early 1980's that earned him a handful of hits. Jones' next image makeover came in 1988, when he sang Prince's "Kiss" with the electronic dance outfit, the Art of Noise. The 12" single became a Top Ten hit in the U.K. and reached the American Top 40, which led to a successful concert tour. The singer then returned to the club circuit, where he stayed for several years. In 1993, Jones performed at the Glastonbury Festival in England, where he won an enthusiastic response from the young crowd. Soon, he was on the comeback trail again, releasing the alternative dance-pop album "The Lead And How To Swing It" in the fall of 1994; the record was a moderate hit, gaining some play in dance clubs. The 12" single of "Sex Bomb" would make him a dance floor favorite again.Jones still wows audiences from around the globe and before all is said and done will probably have another club hit. |
