Tom Jones International

Honeymoon in Vegas or The First Time I Saw Tom Jones

It was June 1971. I was newly married to my first husband – coincidentally also a Gemini named Tom (and quite a “sexbomb” at the time) – and we were driving through Las Vegas from the Midwest on our way to our new home in beautiful Burbank, California.

We had agreed that we would not stop in Las Vegas, but merely drive down the famous Strip, as we were running a day or two behind schedule. All that changed when I saw the sign in front of Caesar’s Palace announcing that Tom Jones was there. We had a car full of stuff and a three-month old puppy with us. We were not able to stay at Caesar’s because of the dog, but were able to check into a small motel that was directly across the street. After sneaking the puppy into the motel, wrapped in a baby blanket, we went to Caesar’s and were able (joy!) to purchase tickets for Tom Jones the next night. What a rush!

Since we were both pretty young — I was just 21 years old — we were not wise in the ways of tipping to get good seats. I’m still amazed that, without tipping, we were seated in front of the stage, just to the right of center.

Well, as I said, I was on my honeymoon and very much in love with my Tom. I was so excited to see my first Vegas show. I was thrilled that it was my favorite singer. I had all his albums. He was the only singer not from Motown who I listened to on a regular basis. (My friend Kathy and I used to watch TJ’s show on television before we’d go out and party for the night. He sure did put us in the mood to have fun….)

The music came up. My heart was beating very fast. Here I was in Las Vegas, with my new husband, seeing my favorite singer. Life was good.

Now, I should say that I’m usually known for my composure and level-headedness. I’m not one to scream or act out. When Tom Jones walked out on stage, all the color drained out of my face and my heart was racing. I had met and dated several celebrities in my single days as I worked in concert promotions at a top-rated radio station. I could care less.

However, when Tom walked out on stage I had a completely uncharacteristic reaction. I didn’t know who I was. Just his mere presence elicited a completely unfamiliar reaction in me. When he started to sing, I actually felt like I would faint. My husband Tom was laughing at me. After Tom Jones sang Hard to Handle he stopped and looked at me. He actually came over to where I was sitting and asked my husband if it was okay to give me a kiss. He pulled me up out of my seat and kissed me like I had never been kissed before (by a stranger, anyway). It was a moment I will never forget. The rest of the show seemed to be suspended in time. I kind of floated through the night. That was the beginning of the spell — the spell of the voice, the music and the man.

Thirty four years later, I am still a fan. His voice still has the same affect on me as it did the first time I heard him. Whenever I am a little down, I take a ride in my car and crank up Tom Jones. His voice goes straight to my heart and cheers me up. He’s better than Prozac.