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.
Saturday, March 29: Tom Proves The Show Must — And Does — Go On
Sunday, March 30th, 2008Two of our favorite fans, Mary and Lois, told us about Saturday night’s show at the MGM Grand:
After Tom sang Git Me Some, he — as is his habit — rubbed his hand on his face to get the sweat away. This time, his hand came away covered with blood. He had a nosebleed.
He got the towel from the stool where he keeps his water and holding it in his left hand, his mic in his right, he sang She’s A Lady, blotting his nose as he was singing
After that song, he asked, “Can someone backstage get me some cotton wool? I don’t know what you call it here.” [Note: We call it cotton balls, but we think even if Tom remembered he wouldn't have asked or "cotton balls."]
He got the cotton, put it in his nose and went on with the show. After a bit with the cotton in his nose, he said, “Ohhh I think I sound better.” Joking — and he was absolutely joking — he said, “Too much cocaine last night,” quickly adding, “I’ve never ever taken any drugs at all………..I’m an alcoholic.”
The audience roared, loving every moment.
We must say that nosebleeds, especially this time of year, are a daily hazard here in the dry desert climate of Las Vegas. Las Vegas locals can be seen using saline nasal sprays frequently this time of year. Tom did say he hadn’t had a bloody nose in years, “since someone hit me in the nose.”
But, all was well later on and the incident was — most happily — a blip on the radar screen. There was, however, speculation among some of us that if put on eBay, that towel would fetch a pretty penny.
Thanks, friends, for sharing your story,
March 31st, 2008 at 7:16 am
Being from the mid west where it is very humid I have experienced nose bleeds when I visit my relatives who have lived in Las Vegas since 1954. My aunt said it was common because it was so dry. I have a feeling it is nothing serious with Tom
March 31st, 2008 at 7:35 am
I’m just amazed that he didn’t take a break to deal with it! He really is not only an awesome voice and entertainer but a real showman who knows how to deal with anything that comes his way. I’m impressed with his reaction and I’m glad that it stopped before he had to get off the stage and deal with it. Thanks for sharing the story! P.S. I’m from Canada and years ago I worked in an office building that had no fresh air circulation. Every time the heat was turned on in the fall I had nosebleeds. It’s not fun dealing with this when you’re with a few people never mind an audience watching you perform.
March 31st, 2008 at 8:09 pm
Oh man, he is incredible! I know exactly what that is like. The only time I’ve suffered a nosebleed like that was when I was visiting Las Vegas, and again in Reno on another occasion. The air is so dry you don’t even realize it until that happens. He’s a dynamo ; ))
April 1st, 2008 at 1:59 am
I had to laugh when Tom asked for cotton wool. Shows he hasn’t lost his Welshness.
April 1st, 2008 at 8:50 am
Gill: We kind of believe that (1) when people are distressed, they revert to basics. He learned cotton “wool” as a child and it was his immediate thought. We’re all products of the place where we grew up, no matter where we call home at the moment. And (2), even if he did think cotton “balls,” we doubt he’d ever say that.
April 6th, 2008 at 8:21 pm
Now, that’s a professional right there. Nothing stops the voice.