Rumor or Reality?, What's New, Pussycat?
Rumors about Sir Tom pass from ear to ear to chat room to discussion list to forum. Of course, we hear them, too, and are frequently asked by site visitors about the truth of a given story they see or hear. In an effort to separate fact from fiction, we’ll occasionally post a rumor — a possibly credible thing we hear and try to get at the real story. The only rule about the rumors we’ll post is that they must be about Tom’s professional life. Nothing personal. We leave that stuff to others. So, if you hear something and would like us to help check it out, send us an email. Of course no rumor is considered fact until it’s confirmed on Tom’s official site but, meanwhile, we’ll try to fill you in.
Rumor Or Reality? Tom’s 2008 Tour: March 31 At MGM? May? AC? Westbury? Etc.
Tuesday, January 15th, 20081/21 — 2008 Tour News: It has been confirmed that Tom will be at the MGM from May 8 through 21.
Last weekend we had a wonderful warm-up to Tom’s opening at the MGM on Thursday. We saw Eric Burdon (you know, from The Animals) and Chubby Checker in concert.
Burdon’s wonderful, rambling set — with an audience that looked like they were still in the 1960s — was crowned by what the singer called “the new American anthem — House of the Rising Sun. It was nostalgic, raucous but, still, very relevant. Great blues and a great back-up band.
Chubby Checker was a real surprise. First, the man can still move and he can sing. Of course he did his hits —The Twist, Pony Time, Let’s Twist Again — but, having taken his stage name in tribute to the great Fats Domino, he also did some of Fats’ music and a really, really good Elvis impersonation. He has a gift and the audience loved him. Checker’s band, too, was terrific.
It was really fun to see shows that were full of surprises, even though they did the hits the audience came to hear. We recommend each. With all this music, we cannot wait for Sir Tom on Thursday.
So, now to answer some of your questions about Tom’s 2008 schedule, (and a few other things) here’s what we’ve found out so far (Please remember, nothing is confirmed until it’s posted on his official website or it’s been seen onstage):
The Show: Don’t look for a new set list yet. If it doesn’t come before (and it usually happens in February), it should come with the release of his new CD. NOTE: If you are going to the show at the MGM the first weekend (January 18, 19 and 20), remember that it will be very crowded in the hotel. Of course it’s MLK Day on Monday, so it’s a three-day weekend but, also, be aware that Miley Cyrus (Hannah Montana) is playing at the Grand Garden Arena. Expect lots of rugrats around the hotel.
Tom At MGM In March & May: Tom is definitely playing on March 31st. As near as we can figure, whomever posted the tour dates on his site (where it says he’s performing March 30 and, then, April 1 with no show March 31), just forgot the old poem “Thirty days hath September,” etc. We also have found out he’s set to be there for two weeks in May. But we’ll confirm that for sure as soon as we can. January 16: We have confirmation that Tom will be here for two weeks in May; still not on his site, and tickets aren’t being sold, but if all goes as expected, it will be two weeks.
Atlantic City: The probable reason Harrahs doesn’t have his May gig on their site yet is that their site doesn’t go that far ahead. But the fact that you can already get tickets on Ticketmaster is a pretty good indication that he’ll be there. (We think.)
We also hear he will be doing other dates in AC after May this year. So look for them.
Westbury: We hear that Tom will be playing this venerable Long Island venue sometime in the fall. We’re looking for confirmation.
The new CD and other tour dates: We hear that the CD will, if all goes according to present plan, be released in late spring or early summer. Expect some promotional dates and, maybe, TV to come at that time. If we hear anything, we’ll let you know. Please do the same for us.
Our wish list: Aside from hoping everyone gets to see Sir Tom this year, we’d love to see some club-like venues — HOB, Irving Plaza, the Fillmore — added. Those are well worth a road trip.
January 15th, 2008 at 10:22 am
Thankyou very much for the information. Your website is very interesting and entertaining and also provides a great service to all fans of Sir Tom Jones. Again thankyou.
January 15th, 2008 at 10:24 am
Thanks for the update — especially the May dates! And me, too. I can’t wait for TOM’s opening night on Thursday! Hope you do a review
January 15th, 2008 at 11:06 am
I agree. I have seen him at The House of Blues and all I can say is INCREDIBLE! Hope he makes a few this year.
January 15th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Irving Plaza and Nokia Theatre were really nice venues.
Harrahs? Let’s hope he can kick it up a notch to the Borgota! Anyway, countdown is still five months till Jersey and even more until Long Island. “Heaven’s been a long time comin’, oh but baby, you are worth the wait!”
January 15th, 2008 at 6:25 pm
I met Chubby Checker at a charity walk in September. He’s a really nice guy. As for Tom, I’m counting the days until the new CD…I’M SO EXCITED!!!
January 16th, 2008 at 2:32 am
I would like to add, I would love to see in 2008 Sir Tom Jones play the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA, also the Staples Center in Los Anagles and the new Nokia Theater by the Staples Center, the Grove and HOB in Anaheim, the Long Beach Arena and the Cerritos PAC.
January 16th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
I went to work today and I was told from a word of mouth that Tom might do a charity event in Oshawa Ontario in March. Was told that Rod Stewart will be there too. I don’t know if they are pulling my leg. Until I see it. I won’t beleive it. Tom is In Vegas in March.??????? If you know anything let me know please. It will drive me crazy not knowing. Tom was in Oshawa Ontario over a year ago.
April 9th, 2008 at 10:11 pm
Has tom Jones ever sung the song Ain’t No Woman Like the One I Got by the Four Tops? And, if so, how come I can’t find it anywhere? I recall having heard this song many times on the radio and on one occasion seeing a video of this song being sung by Tom Jones.
April 9th, 2008 at 10:56 pm
Erwin: We cannot find it done by Tom. One more place to check and we’ll let you know for sure. If anyone else knows, please tell us.
April 10th, 2008 at 8:57 am
Thanks Moderator I live in New York, and there is a radio station where i ave heard that song many times. I have been trying to call them but can’t get through. Any other type of info will be apprreciated, there is a night out on the town runnig on the answer.
June 26th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
Has Tom ever recorded with Etta James or any or her songs, especially At Last? and does he ever do sets of the songs he does with Jools Holland?? Being from the East coast, I’ve caught Tom in AC, and Vegas, going to and from California, but never in Westbury. Any dates yet for that venue??? Appreciate it. Thanks.
June 26th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
Lynn: He’s never, as far as we know, recorded with Etta James. She opened for him at Ravenia in Chicago awhile back and they didn’t sing together. She has, however, recorded You Can Leave Your Hat On. As for W’bury, all we know is Tom is supposed to play there this year.