Tom Jones, the Welsh icon with a voice that could shake mountains, remains a towering figure in music at over 80. His full-throated baritone powered hits like “It’s Not Unusual” and “Delilah,” earning him a Grammy, a knighthood, and a place in hearts worldwide. Yet, behind the charisma lies a life of profound loss, infidelity, and resilience. From a tuberculosis-riddled childhood to the heartbreak of losing his lifelong love, Linda, Jones’ story, detailed in his 2015 autobiography Over the Top and Back, reveals a man whose genius was forged in adversity.
A Childhood Marked by Struggle
Born Thomas John Woodward on June 7, 1940, in Pontypridd, Wales, Jones grew up in a modest home at 57 Kingsland Terrace. His father, Thomas, toiled as a coal miner, while his mother, Freda, nurtured his English-Welsh heritage. School—Wood Road Infants, Wood Road Juniors, and Pontypridd Central Secondary—held little appeal for young Tom, who shunned sports and academics. His passion was singing, evident at family gatherings and in the school choir, where his voice hinted at greatness.
At 12, tuberculosis struck, confining him to bed for two years. “It was the worst time of my life,” he recalled in a 2010 Guardian interview. Isolated, he found solace in music and drawing, listening to radio hits that fueled his dreams. This period shaped his resilience, teaching him to find light in darkness—a theme that would echo through his life.
Love, Infidelity, and Loss
Jones’ heart belonged to Melinda Rose “Linda” Trenchard, his high school sweetheart. At 16, they married on March 2, 1957, in a hurried ceremony driven by Linda’s pregnancy. Their son, Mark, arrived soon after, thrusting Jones into fatherhood. To support them, he labored in construction and a glove factory, far from the stages he’d later command. His voice, though, promised escape.
As fame beckoned, so did temptation. Jones admitted to up to 250 affairs a year at his peak, with liaisons involving figures like Mary Wilson, Charlotte Laws, and former Miss World Marjorie Wallace. A traumatic encounter with actress Cassandra Peterson, who claimed a painful experience with Jones, underscored the darker side of his charisma. In 1987, a fling with model Katherine Berkery produced a son, Jonathan, confirmed by DNA in 1989. Jones, however, remained distant from Jonathan, a choice that haunted his legacy.
Through it all, Linda stood steadfast, her loyalty unwavering despite public betrayals. “She was my rock,” Jones said in a 2016 Mirror interview. Her death from lung cancer in April 2016 shattered him. Selling their Los Angeles mansion—once Dean Martin’s—Jones moved to a London flat, clutching photos and memories. Linda’s dying wish, that he carry on, became his mantra, echoed in his 2022 performance of “I Won’t Crumble With You If You Fall,” a tribute to her strength.
A Meteoric Rise to Stardom
Jones’ career began in 1963 as frontman for Tommy Scott and the Senators, a Welsh beat group. Spotted by manager Gordon Mills in 1964, he was renamed Tom Jones, inspired by the 1963 film. Signed to Decca, his debut “Chills and Fever” flopped, but “It’s Not Unusual” (1965) soared to UK number one and US top 10, earning him a Grammy for Best New Artist. Hits like “Thunderball” and “What’s New Pussycat?” followed, cementing his fame.
By the late 1960s, his popularity dipped, prompting a crooner rebrand. The 1980s brought a revival with “Kiss,” and in 1999, Reload hit UK number one, with “Sexbomb” charting globally. His 2000s accolades included Brit Awards and a 2006 knighthood. Albums like Praise & Blame (2010), a gospel-blues shift, defied critics, debuting at UK number two despite label resistance. In 2021, Surrounded by Time wove covers with nostalgia, its single “I Won’t Crumble” topping iTunes after his emotional The Voice UK performance.
Bonds and Collaborations
Jones’ friendship with Elvis Presley, sparked in 1965 on Paradise, Hawaiian Style, was a career highlight. They sang in Las Vegas until dawn, their bond enduring until Presley’s 1977 death. Rumors of a romance with Priscilla Presley in 2016 were clarified as platonic, rooted in shared history. Collaborations with Van Morrison (Carrying a Torch, 1991), Jack White (Evil, 2012), and Stereophonics (2022) showcased his versatility. His The Voice UK stint (2012-2015, 2017) mentored new talent, though his 2016 exit stung, prompting public criticism of the BBC.
A Life in Song
Jones’ voice, once a youthful tenor, deepened into a robust baritone. “I used to hit a top C; now it’s a B-flat,” he told The Times in 2010. Vocal challenges, like nodules in the 1970s, were overcome, and he maintained health through inversion therapy—a nod to his knack for turning life’s ups and downs into art. Appearances at Glastonbury (1992), Bill Clinton’s 2000 Millennium event, and Diana’s 2007 memorial concert underscored his global appeal.
His 2022 Cardiff shows at Principality Stadium, broadcast on BBC Two, felt like a homecoming. Performing “I Won’t Crumble,” he bared his grief for Linda, connecting with fans who propelled the song to number three on UK downloads. Jones’ story—tuberculosis, infidelity, loss—fuels his genius, proving music’s power to heal and endure.
