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Question(s) of the Month: About Sir Tom
Sunday, January 1st, 2006Fan reaction to the news of Tom’s being knighted has been strong.
So, for our Question(s) of the Month, we’d like to know:
1. How do you feel about this honor for Tom?
and
2. Why does Tom Jones’ knighthood mean so much to his fans?
January 1st, 2006 at 1:06 pm
Congratulations to Tom who so richly deserves this honour. I feel strongly about this because Tom is such a wonderful entertainer who reaches out to all ages and music genres. These past years when Sir Tom was passed over I felt personally slighted. Couldn’t they see his hard work? Didn’t they hear him speak of his pride in his roots? “Proud to be Welsh.” Will always be Welsh.” “Proud to be a Brit.” Always willing to talk about his love of his country and well-versed in its history. Tom Jones has been an International Ambassador for Wales and Great Britain and it is about time they recognized him for it.
I love that a man from humble beginnings has risen so high and now I say, “Don’t stop now! Once a Knight is not enough!”
January 2nd, 2006 at 5:24 am
What a fantastic piece of news and thank you so much, Ellen and Ursula for giving it so early.
Tom deserves this honour so much! I guess he is deeply moved because this time it is his Father’s name which is honoured as he is now officialy Sir Thomas John WOODWARD ! It sounds so great and it really fits to a Knight. Congratulations Sir Thomas!
I’m proud of being so much in love with you, your voice, your personnality, your humour, your kindness, your faith in your country and in your family — well! in everything that makes you a knight today.
God bless you!
January 2nd, 2006 at 11:40 am
Sir Tom is the best entertainer I have ever seen.This honour is well overdue & certainly well-earned.
Congratulations Sir Tom & I hope to enjoy one of your shows in Vegas this coming May.
We in the valleys knew you could do it.
Best regards,
Cllr Alby Davies MBE
January 2nd, 2006 at 12:01 pm
I personally feel that this is a long overdue honor for Tom Jones. For many of us, he brought the awareness of Wales and has always proclaimed his pride in “being Welsh.” In these times of constant re-invention, Tom has remained steadfast in his roots.
Speaking as a devoted fan, this honor brings with it the respect Tom so richly deserves for his glorious voice, his drive to always give his audience 110% and the fact that as an entertainer, he just keeps getting better and better and better…..a Welsh energizer bunny if you will!!!
Sir Tom — Long may ye reign.
January 2nd, 2006 at 2:12 pm
I am so proud for Tom and his family. He has always remembered his roots and is so very proud of his heritage.
I just wish with my heart that the USA would give him his due. He has brought so much to us and he hardly gets recognized in the media. Please put this news on the front page and let the USA know about “Tom Jones.” You will always be Tom Jones to me. You have been “Knighted” there, you are the “King” to us in the USA.
Tom, thank you for the joy you bring to us in your music. We respect and love you so much.You are the BEST!!!!
January 2nd, 2006 at 11:34 pm
Since there are certainly not enough awards and honors in this world to be given Tom, why not the Knighthood?? I think it is long overdue. It is firmly acknowledged by Tom that he is a true Brit, so very proud of his heritage, and the very best of the British invasion. His voice is incomparable, his versatility in music, his attention to his fans, and contributions to the music world cannot be measured. He has devoted his life to his fans, giving more than most artists in his 40 plus years in the music industry. His millions of fans worldwide realize he should have been honored long before now. So I say, “Congratulations, Sir Tom, your fans are so proud and excited for you!!”
January 3rd, 2006 at 6:58 am
From Wikipedia: “The dignity of Knight Bachelor is a part of the British honours system. It refers to a man who has been knighted by the monarch but not as a member of one of the organized Orders of Chivalry. Knights Bachelor are the most ancient sort of British knight, existing during the reign of King Henry III, but they rank below members in the various orders. There is no female equivalent and women deserving an honour of this rank are appointed DBE instead.
“It is generally awarded for public service; amongst its recipients are all male judges of the High Court of England and Wales. Like other knights, Knights Bachelor are styled ‘Sir’.”
What a thrilling way to start the new year! Congratulations to Sir Tom Jones, a most deserving recipient of his appointment for all of his years dedication to public service (tongue-planted-firmly-in-cheek) and unwavering pride in his British heritage.
I’m tickled pink that TJ finally received this honour, I can’t wait to hear the first interview and his reaction. The Queen approves nominations on recommendation from one or more of her Ministers, clearly, we now know who she’s got on her iPod ; )))
Sir Tom Jones… I like it! I love it! I want some more of it!
January 3rd, 2006 at 10:33 am
One more thing, if I may, and that is to give you my answer as to “Why does Tom Jones’ knighthood mean so much to his fans?”
I, like most of TJ’s fans, take a lot of criticism for liking his music. I really don’t understand it. Seriously. He continually turns out really amazing music with an ever-evolving style and ever-expanding catalogue that has left his “contemporaries” in the dust and him with a firm and fast lead ahead of the pack.
Think Bono. Think Bruce Springsteen. Their amazing music was influenced by the music Tom Jones was singing while they were growing up. Love his music or hate it, Tom Jones is being paid his dues and the fans love it. You can call him what you want, but, from now on just make sure it’s “Sir.”
January 3rd, 2006 at 11:03 am
Fay, you couldn’t be more right. I do “think” Bono and Springsteen and I am sure I like them because (in addition to liking what their music says) their kind of all-out style is directly descended from Tom’s.
When each of these three amazing performers does his thing, the content may be different, but the presentation is pure Tom Jones. All three — Tom, Bono and Bruuuuuce — reach out and embrace the audience, inviting each individual in that audience to share the experience of the music with them.
The end of each of their shows finds you exhausted and exhilirated, in awe at what you’ve just seen. And I believe that facet of a performance by Bono and Springsteen is one of Tom’s amazing legacies to those who follow the trail he’s blazed.
And, by the way, I also believe that Tom’s connection with the audience is why fans care so much about the Knighthood.
Ellen
January 3rd, 2006 at 2:07 pm
With regard to Fay’s comment, I too, have taken a lot of ribbing and snickers for loving Tom Jones. It is only when I mention that I was brought up in a home primarily influenced by jazz greats like Stan Kenton, Ella, Coltrane, etc. that I appear musically “credible.” My mother, who had a voice like Keely Smith, is the one who turned me on to Tom Jones in the first place! Frustrating, but at this stage of the game, it is a matter of Tom still kicking butt with a titanic voice and people like me and all the other proud and devoted fans that still pay to see a sexy 65 year-old man do his thing the way no one else can.
God Bless You Forever, Sir Tom Jones.
January 6th, 2006 at 9:31 am
Marian found this very touching tribute on the BBC Wales/Southeast Wales site and sent it to us. It could not be better said.
Posted by Victor Kuznetsov from Krasnodar, Russia:
“My opinion of Tom Jones? What would you say if some singer could keep impressing you for 40 years? What would you say if his songs made you learn English and you became a professional translator? What would you say if this singer encouraged your marriage 30 years ago and these ties remained so unbreakable? What would you say if he made you LP collector and you cannot get rid of this “trouble” up to now? The answer would be: This impact could only be made by really the Voice, absolutely unrivalled vocal Titanic of 2 centuries, who keeps overshadowing the other singers for decades. The real pride of Wales, a single product of nature, the unique talent from the U.K. so gratefully treasured world over. The same time just a husband, a loving father and a man who no matter how great he has become will remain on the same Green Green Grass of our Homes with us forever! The best wishes from Russia, Tom!!”