Tom Jones reunites with Pinoy fans

MANILA, Philippines - The sense of excitement and anticipation over what could be one of the year’s biggest musical events continues to mount as the countdown ticks for the concert of Tom Jones on March 28 at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.

Billed as Tom Jones In Manila!, the one-night musical presentation from Ovation Productions will reunite the Welsh singing star with his Filipino fans after almost two decades since his last live performance here in the ‘90s.

The concert, which is part of Jones’ Asia-Australia tour that also covers New Zealand, will showcase the artist’s unique vocal power, ability and appeal through a rich array of classic hits and contemporary songs that have wowed millions worldwide for more than forty years.

Among the songs he is expected to perform are It’s Not Unusual, Delilah, Green Green Grass Of Home, Help Yourself, Love Me Tonight, I Who Have Nothing, She’s A Lady, Kiss (You Don’t Have To Be Rich), Sex Bomb, Black Betty and Stoned In Love. 

Jones started his career in the ’60s, initially acquiring a reputation as the frontman for a local beat group in his native South Wales (where he is known as Jones the Voice) before he was discovered by future manager Gordon Mills, who took him to London and renamed him Tom Jones.

He became an overnight sensation with the release in early 1965 of It’s Not Unusual, which became an instant hit, reaching No. 1 in the UK and the Top 10 in America in March.

In the same year, he sang the theme song to the James Bond spy thriller, Thunderball, and received the Grammy Award for Best New Artist for 1965.

He maintained his top chart position in the UK and the US because of his most successful single ever, Green Green Grass Of Home, plus a string of hit singles and albums, such as What’s New Pussycat, Help Yourself and Delilah.

In 1967, Jones invaded the US club circuit, including the Flamingo and Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas and Copacabana in New York.

As a television star, he headlined an internationally-successful TV variety show, This Is Tom Jones, aired by ABC in the US and ITV in the UK from 1969 to 1971; and The Tom Jones Show, which lasted one season comprising 24 episodes from 1980 to 1981.

In 1970, he achieved multiple successes in the UK with Daughter Of Darkness, She’s A Lady, Till and The New Mexican Puppeteer and scored a No. 1 country hit in the US with Say You’ll Stay Until Tomorrow, which also reached No. 15 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Considered as the biggest hit of Jones’ career was his Reload album (2000), a compilation of cover versions recorded as duets with contemporary artists, using their record producers and their recording methods. The album reached No. 1 in the UK and sold over four million copies worldwide.

This was followed by his 2002 album, Mr. Jones, which included the singles Tom Jones International and Black Betty.

Throughout 2000, Jones received a number of honors for his achievements, including a BRIT Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music (2003) and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6608 Hollywood Blvd. He was also selected as the new voice of Australia’s National Rugby League, singing in an advertisement to market the 2000 season.

Last year, Jones continued with his touring and recording activities, spending a major portion of the year performing at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas and in Atlantic City, New Jersey. He also had appearances in other parts of the US, the UK and Canada.

Filipino fans were thrilled when they saw Jones sang the national anthem of Great Britain during the boxing match of Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao against Ricky Hatton on May 2, 2009 in Las Vegas.

Tom Jones In Manila is presented by Ovation Productions in cooperation with etc, 2nd Avenue, Jack TV, Edsa Shangri-La Manila, Mercedes-Benz, RJ 100.3 FM and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

It is also supported by The Philippine Star, Manila Bulletin, BusinessWorld, 105.1 FM Crossover, 90.7 Love Radio, 97.9 Home Radio, 99.5 FT, U 92, OptimaSignsolutions, Focalcast Network, MYX and ABS-CBN.

Tickets are priced at P7,500, P6,500, P4,500, P2,500, P1,000 and P600 and are available at Ticketnet outlets at all SM Department Stores.

For details, call 911-5555 or 532-8883.