Today is the 16th day of our Globe-trotting Travel Series and it features a very famous performer from his home in London via the BBC One World: Together at Home Series. Typically I don’t focus on mainstream celebrities, as they get plenty of attention already, but this was so heartfelt and so simple in its humanity that I couldn’t resist. Ladies and gentleman, Tom Jones.
Tom Jones was born June 7, 1940 in Wales, the son of a coal miner. He’ll be celebrating his 80th birthday in June (and listen to that top voice ring). At age 12 he was diagnosed with tuberculosis and spent 2 years quarantined at home. He was married with a baby at 16. You might not think that any of that boded well for a musical career, but he rose to fame in the 1960s with his robust baritone and good looks. Women used to throw their underwear on stage at his concerts. A combination of practical grit and the ability to have a good time has forged a career that spans decades.
Enjoy!