Tom Jones

Birth Name:

Thomas John Woodward

Birth Place:

Treforest, Pontypridd, Glamorgan, Wales, United Kingdom

Profession

Soundtrack, Actor, Music department

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
Recorded the song "Perfect World" for the Disney animated film "The Emperor's New Groove․"
Throughout his youth, he listened to American blues, R&B and rock 'n' roll on BBC Radio

Fast Facts