Tom Jones International

From the November 5, 2007 edition of The Beaumont Enterprise in Texas, a look back at the opening of the city’s Civic Center April 17, 1978 when the first performer was Tom Jones. The photo was taken by staff photographer Peter Churton at that performance. The article is a little cheesy, and it isn’t exactly correct, as he certainly does not play “almost daily shows at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas,” but it’s always nice when people look back with warm memories.

It’s not unusual for women to fawn over Tom Jones.

And 26 years ago today, women were doing more than just fawning over the Welsh-born sex symbol when he played to a packed house at the Beaumont Civic Center.

Known to some as “The Voice,” with that deep, vivacious barreling voice, the curly locks and a toothy, pearl-white smile, Jones was a Beaumont favorite from the time he was the first act at Fair Park Coliseum in 1978 to the last time he graced Beaumont with his presence in 1990 at the Beaumont Civic Center.

Always the charmer, during his Fair Park performance, Jones took a pair of panties that were thrown on stage and wiped sweat from his face with them.

Then there was the 1981 show, which Liz MacKenzie attended along with friend Billie Jean Sorrells.

MacKenzie said they had average seats, but that they were up high and so in order to get a good look at Jones, they brought binoculars.

“He was a great performer,” she said. “All the women loved him, including me!”

While The Enterprise archives show Jones wearing a black outfit, MacKenzie said she also remembers him wearing a “slinky white outfit.”

According to others who were at that concert — and file photos — there was a bulge in a particular region of Jones’ pants that, well …

“He had a reputation for stuffing his pants,” MacKenzie said, “but I think a man started that rumor because they were jealous.”

MacKenzie said she doesn’t have a favorite Tom Jones song: “I like ‘em all.”

Although she didn’t frequent many concerts then and is busy with MacKenzie’s Pub, which she operates with her husband, MacKenzie would go to another Jones concert if he ever returned to Beaumont.

So what’s new with Tom Jones?

Jones could not be reached for this article, but his management company did respond to the interview request.

“Unfortunately Sir Tom’s schedule is extremely busy at present, so it won’t be possible to organize an interview,” Rosie Parsons, management assistant for Tom Jones, said in an interview.

But he is still playing, including almost daily shows at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

As to whether he’ll ever return to Beaumont to, as MacKenzie says, give the ladies another thrill: You can leave your hat on, because you never know.