Fan Fare, What's New, Pussycat?
Here’s where you’ll find TJ photos and stories that don’t fit into any other categories. It is, as its name says, just for fans — and, hopefully, for fun.
Tom Opens His 40th Year (!) In Las Vegas Tonight
Thursday, March 27th, 2008
Today’s Las Vegas Review Journal column by Mike Weatherford talks about tonight’s show. He is a fan and over the years has written some really terrific stuff about Tom that you’ve read on our site. Just put “Weatherford” in the search box and you can revisit his stories. Incidentally, although records of such stuff are not formally kept, the way we hear it, only one other entertainer is believed to have equaled Tom’s record. That is Don Rickles.
MIKE WEATHERFORD: Tom Jones to mark milestone
Forty years ago, the women of Las Vegas were captured by a hot new name on the Strip.
Well, almost new. In one of the more bizarre coincidences of Las Vegas show business history, the Desert Inn lounge already hosted a topless spoof of the Tom Jones movie with Albert Finney that still was popular in 1968.
“The movie was so big that (people) thought I was going to act in a play,” the Tom Jones more familiar to Las Vegas once recalled. And Flamingo Las Vegas executives hedged their bet for his March 21 debut by co-billing the Welsh singer with “America’s Favorite Mother-in-Law,” Kaye Ballard.
But that was before his TV show hit big in the United States. “They thought I was a pop singer, trying to be a nightclub entertainer,” Jones noted.
He has done a pretty good job of both along the way. If Jones opens an MGM Grand stint as scheduled today, it will mark 40 consecutive years on the Strip, to the best recollection of local experts who run an unofficial fan Web site, Tom Jones International.
Don’t be surprised to see the occasion marked at today’s show, though the Web site managers wanted to retain the element of surprise in terms of specifics.
Over the years, the 67-year-old Jones recorded two live albums on the Strip, inspired Elvis Presley to reinvent himself as a showroom act and defended the city from flying saucers in Mars Attacks! …
March 27th, 2008 at 8:29 am
Hi Ellen and Ursula.
I wish I could be there to celebrate but I am looking forward to hearing all about the celebration tonight! Have a great time.
March 27th, 2008 at 8:55 am
I also wish I could be in Las Vegas tonight. Sounds like it will be a fun night. Keep us posted as always. Love your site.
March 27th, 2008 at 9:10 am
Congratulations, Tom, on such a long run in Vegas…we LOVE you here! :)I get to see him on Monday but also wish I could go to tonight’s show. I hope the MGM will do something special or at least recognize what a true LEGEND they have performing at their hotel! And thanks to TJI for ALWAYS keeping us informed. Can’t wait to hear about the show tonight!
March 27th, 2008 at 10:03 am
Lori, What a great idea!!! Certainly hope MGM’s management will realize this great milestone, and do something really impressive to honor Tom’s many years performing in Vegas.
March 27th, 2008 at 11:28 am
Have a great time!
March 27th, 2008 at 12:09 pm
WOW! What a fabulous milestone! Forty CONSECUTIVE years! Congrats Sir Tom! Also, thank you Ellen and Ursula, our resident experts, for promoting our man. I can’t wait to hear what surprise you have in store! (Which one of you will be jumping out of the cake??)
March 27th, 2008 at 12:28 pm
Wow! 40 years! I wasn’t even born.. well I was “on the way” since I was born later that year, in August. I am 40 and I hardly have the energy to go to a concert. I can’t begin to imagine how someone can have so much energy! Amazing! I hope we get to see some photos!
March 27th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
Forty consecutive years: an amazing achievement. Sir Tom is a phenomenon, nothing less. I wish I could be there to witness what I’m sure will be a great night…..can’t wait to hear!
March 27th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
Holly, how did you find out they were jumping out of a cake…I thought it was a surprise! lol Seriously, our Tom is sure a talented phenomenon. He deserves only the best and lots of kidos. Have fun tonight ladies. I’m so jealous I have to wait another week.
March 28th, 2008 at 3:28 am
40 years on fantastic.Our Tom has it all.Looking forward to what the surprise was.