Tom Jones International

Tom Jones: The Legend Is On PBS As Part of Their December Pledge Drive Programming

(This information was taken from: http://www.pbs.org/previews/tomjones/)

Tom Jones, one of the most popular and enduring vocalists to emerge from the “British Invasion” of the 1960s, has maintained a superstar profile of sexually charged dynamism for more than five decades. Since winning the Best Newcomer Grammy in 1965, Jones has delivered hit after hit on the music charts, been a near-permanent fixture on radio and television, and played to packed houses all over the world — breaking attendance records throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, Japan and South Africa.

TOM JONES: THE LEGEND, airing on PBS as part of the December 2005 pledge drive (check local listings), takes viewers back to 1981 with a vintage collection of high- octane classics from his hit weekly television show taped live in Vancouver. Exhibiting his celebrated onstage machismo, Jones appears with four sexy singing/dancing female back-up singers and an upstage band with featured piano. Framed by a brightly lit red proscenium arch, the set features a thrust stage that allows for an intimate connection between Jones and his famously devoted audience, along with a backdrop of his initials in 10-foot-high letters.

Each vocal segment is pure energized showmanship, with Jones singing on a platform above the band, moving downstage through the musicians or entering from offstage and cavorting with his backup singers. Most segments feature the full band and singers, but some spotlight Jones sitting alone at the edge of the stage, creating a uniquely warm and cozy mood.

In TOM JONES: THE LEGEND, fashion is as much a part of the show as the music. In each of the segments the backup singers wear an array of eye-catching Las Vegas style costumes, while Jones appears in outfits ranging from a sheer black shirt to contrasting blazers with necktie to white, black and red “pirate-style” shirts open to the waist, worn with his signature form-hugging black slacks.

What is constant during this super-charged show is Jones’ high-energy, no-holds-barred performing style. Through hit after hit, Tom Jones gives the audience exactly what it expects of this entertainer par excellence. If there’s a touch of self parody in his performance, there’s also a tremendous amount of fun, as well as respect and love for the people who’ve come to see and hear a living legend.

Starting in 1987, under son Mark’s direction, Jones’ act began featuring young musicians, a move that continues to attract new audiences of all ages. In 2000 Jones’ Reload album became the biggest hit of his career, reaching number one in the United Kingdom and selling more than five million copies worldwide. In 2003, he was honored with a Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music. In 2004, his Sex Bomb single became a major US club hit.

Tom Jones — truly a beloved show business legend — continues to tour and record, as well as play Las Vegas for 10 to 12 weeks each year.

TOM JONES: THE LEGEND includes:

Spanish Harlem, Delilah, I (Who Have Nothing), Love Me Tonight, Do You Think I’m Sexy?, Proud Mary, I Can’t Turn You Loose, I Can’t Stop Loving You, She’s A Lady, Say You’ll Stay Until Tomorrow, Daughter of Darkness, Green Green Grass of Home, What’s New, Pussycat?, Without Love

There is a DVD of the show available for a $75 pledge to your PBS station (amount may vary from station to station).

Check your local schedule for viewing date and time.