Tom Jones Biography

Fast Facts

• Received a Brit Award for his outstanding contributions to music in 2002
• Sang with Pavarotti in Modena, Italy, to help a charity benefitting Afghan refugees
• Was knighted in 2006 by Queen Elizabeth II for his services to music
• His first big hit was 1964's "It's Not Unusual," which BBC Radio initially refused to play but which soon reached No․ 1 in the charts anyway
• Worked as a builder's laborer and as a door-to-door vacuum salesman
• His hit albums and singles include "What's New Pussycat," "Thunderball," "Green, Green Grass of Home," "Help Yourself" and "Delilah․"
• Collaborated with avant-garde techno group Art of Noise to record Prince's song "Kiss," which went on to win the MTV Breakthrough Video Award
• Throughout his youth, he listened to American blues, R&B and rock 'n' roll on BBC Radio
• Recorded the song "Perfect World" for the Disney animated film "The Emperor's New Groove․"