Tom Jones International

Although it received lots of coverage around the world the day it happened, March 29th, we’ll post news articles and links about the knighthood as they come (if they have anything in the least new) in in the next few days. If you find anything, please send on the information.

Thanks!

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From Hello Magazine in the UK, March 30, 2006 — a bit nervous and a bit from Mark and you gotta love the Beverley Sisters’ quote at the end:

‘SEX BOMB’ TOM BECOMES A KNIGHT

The king of disco became a Knight of the Realm on Wednesday when iconic crooner Tom Jones was honoured at Buckingham Palace. With his son and manager Mark looking proudly on, the legendary performer knelt down before the Queen as she tapped him on each shoulder with the blade of a sword.

One might expect that, after five decades as a performing artist, Wales’ favourite son would be immune to the perils of stagefright. The perma-tanned 65-year-old admitted to feeling a tad anxious as his moment of glory approached, however. “I got a little nervous,” he confessed afterwards. “The adrenaline was pumping.”

But a few last minute jitters did nothing to take away from an experience that was, well, lovely. “It was fantastic — it was lovely seeing the Queen again,” enthused the Sex Bomb singer. “I love seeing the Queen and I have always been a royalist. She is lovely. Her whole face brightens up when she smiles.”

Speaking to reporters after the ceremony, he said the new medal would be his most prized possession. “When I was a kid all I wanted was a hit record,” he said. “I never thought about a knighthood. This is the best thing I’ve ever had — it’s a wonderful feeling.”

And he wasn’t the only one feeling a little emotional. The Beverley Sisters, who were honoured with MBEs, seemed distinctly overwhelmed by the combination of meeting Her Majesty and Tom Jones at the same event. “Oh, we love you Tom — you’re so wonderful!” they declared, enthusiastically planting kisses on their hero’s face.

Tom’s son meanwhile laughed and threw his eyes to heaven, saying “it was like this in the Sixties”, as he watched his father accept their affections. Babs then said it was time she and her siblings, Joy and Teddy, beat a hasty retreat. “It’s all a bit too much for us,” said the 73-year-old. “We’re off home for a cup of tea.”

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While the New York Post writes the best headlines in the world (who can ever forget the immortal, “Headless Man Found In Topless Bar?”), the British tabloids aren’t too shabby either when it comes to clever headlines. Here are two examples. The one below is from the March 30th Daily Mirror; the one at right is from The Sun on March 30. A UK friend explained that “gong” is slang there for a medal. Oh.

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Below is a link to video of CBS News’ coverage. Check it out!

CBS News has a brief story, video on the right side of the page and, on the left, there’s a link to a photo essay about Sir Tom. One of the photos is at right. A couple are from yesterday and the rest take the viewer on a nice trip memory lane (before the memory goes).

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Here’s a photo and the first few paragraphs from story in the March 30 Western Mail in Wales that’s a bit different from all the others we’ve seen (the rest of the story is the same as every other seems to be).

“It’s not unusual for Tom to meet the Queen — it’s ’six or seven times or maybe more’”

by Mike Jones/newsdesk@wme.com

TOM JONES’ revitalised career obviously agrees with him, as he arrived at Buckingham Palace yesterday to pick up his knighthood looking better than ever.

Tanned and trim, he appeared significantly slimmer than his previous visit in 1999 when he collected an OBE.

Sporting a goatee beard and wearing tails, the singer was accompanied to meet the Queen by his son and his family, although Tom’s wife Linda did not make the trip.

Regular concerts and a massive uplift in sales of his albums have seen Sir Tom’s return to the top of the music charts topped with this new honour.

To celebrate his knighthood, he announced his will set off on a 10-day UK tour, which includes one Welsh date, on October 10 this year.

Tickets for the concert at Cardiff International Arena on October 20 will go on sale tomorrow.

Thanks once again to Matthew.

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This is the first online story (March 29) from the Western Mail via icWales.com:
A knighthood? I had just hoped for it, reveals Tom
Mar 30 2006/Paul Carey, Western Mail

THE Queen told Tom Jones he had given “a lot of people a lot of pleasure” as she knighted him yesterday.

Sir Tom said the Queen asked him how long he had been in showbusiness.

She said she remembered his performance at a royal charity performance in 1966.

“I told her 41 years successfully and she said to me that I had given a lot of people a lot of pleasure,” said Sir Tom after receiving the honour.

When asked if he thought the knighthood was rather long in coming, he replied, “I just hoped for it, all you can do is hope — you can never know.”

The Pontypridd singer was at Buckingham Palace to receive his award alongside former Wales coach Mike Ruddock, who was made an OBE.

The popular Grand Slam winner from Swansea, who was accompanied by his wife and children, said it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience

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From the Herald Sun, Australia:

Sir Tom: that’s new for Tom Jones

31mar06

IT’S not unusual for hip-swivelling singing legend Tom Jones to meet the Queen, but yesterday was something special as she dubbed him, “Sir Tom”.

The 65-year-old veteran star who thinks he’s met the Queen “six or seven times, maybe more”, said his knighthood was “just tremendous”. “This is the best thing that I have had. It is a wonderful feeling, a heady feeling,” he said

The Welsh-born star was knighted Sir Thomas Jones Woodward.