Tom Jones International

Most Tom Jones fans know the story. Tom was working days and singing nights in Wales, never losing faith that his voice would be heard; believing that “someone” would discover him. Well, that someone was Gordon Mills, another Welshman who found Tom, brought him and his then-group The Senators to London in 1964. After months of deprivation and being told that in those days — when Mick Jagger and androgynous groups were the vogue — that Tom was hopelessly out of style, Gordon wrote It’s Not Unusual for pop singer Sandie Shaw. She turned it down, Tom got the song and recorded it on November 11, 1964. On March 1, 1965, the record hit number one and Tom and Gordon never looked back.

Gordon went on to brilliantly manage Tom and also, a bit later, Engelbert. Additionally, he discovered and managed Gilbert O’Sullivan (whose hit song Clare was written for Mills’ daughter and whose stage name is the best of all Mills’ name-change creations).

But, while Gordon worked with the others, he and Tom were more than just business associates. They were best friends, trusted confidantes.

Tom has quoted Gordon, who said, “You just sing. I’ll do the rest.” And for more than 20 years he did.

In the summer of 1986, Gordon was hospitalized in Los Angeles. Five weeks later Tom finished an engagement in Indiana on July 27 and flew to LA to visit his friend in the hospital on July 28. They said good-bye and Gordon Mills died July 29 at the age of 51. He was buried in England on August 6. Tom cancelled an Atlantic City engagement to to go to England where he was a pallbearer at Gordon’s funeral.

Throughout his career, Tom has acknowledged his gratitude to his first manager. After Gordon’s death, most fans know, Tom’s son Mark Woodward stepped in to manage his father. With Mark, Tom has reinvented himself several times, staying current and successful.

But, without Gordon Mills 40 years ago there might be no Tom Jones today.

So we, like Tom, are grateful for Gordon and all he did and want to pause to remember him today, on the 20th anniversary of his death.

The photo above left is from Tom’s 1987 tour program. Above the photo of Tom, Mark and Gordon it said, “In loving memory of Gordon Mills.” Below it said, “There will never be another you.” The cover photo at right is from the September 18, 1970 edition of Life magazine. The photo of Gordon here was on the inside flap of a fold-out cover. The front cover had photos of Tom and Engelbert. You can find out more about Gordon Mills by going to our Back In The Day page.