Swinging singers

Perhaps the most striking British vocalist of the late 20th century is Welshman Tom Jones, described by Elvis Presley simply as 'The Voice'. Born in Pontypridd, Mid-Glamorgan, Jones almost died from TB aged 12. When he recovered he swore to his mother he’d become one of the greatest singers of all time. Just as gospel music allowed young singers to develop their voices in the USA his Welsh choral background was his training. He tirelessly played clubs and joined a series of bands, until, early in 1965, Jones’s second release 'It's Not Unusual', reached number 1 in 13 countries, including the UK. The exuberant arrangement, reinforced by Jones’s gutsy vocals and sexual image brought instant media attention. He is a vocal powerhouse with the ability to give his audience every ounce of his energy, enthusiasm and concentration, using his tenor–baritone range and extraordinarily large lung capacity and chest size to fill any space. Jones has enjoyed an open marriage with his wife throughout his 40-year career and his appeal as a sex icon has maintained his career longer than even he could have predicted. Though his lucrative Las Vegas years were followed by a barren period in the 1970s, he has recently collaborated with Van Morrison, the Art of Noise, the Cardigans, and Wyclef Jean, as well as having solo hits through the 1990s. Until there are no more knickers to be thrown, Jones will be taking the microphone.