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.
You Can Take A Walk Down Tom Jones Street
Wednesday, June 25th, 2008
In 1976, a group of Tom Jones fans from Benoni, South Africa decided that the Tom Jones Street in their city should be properly dedicated to their favorite singer, even though it was really named after a former mayor and council member.
They hung Tom’s photo from the sign and made a bit of a ceremony of it. Below left is the photo of them; right is the photo of Tom looking at a picture of what they had done. The brief tabloid article accompanying the photos says:
“Tom Jones Street: Tom Jones is the name of one of the main streets of Benoni, a small town near Johannesburg, South Africa.
“It was named after one of Benoni’s pioneers, a Tom Jones who was mayor in 1920. But fans of the other Tom Jones, the singer, decided recently that history could be changed, and hung a large picture of him on the street sign. In Los Angeles, when he received a photo of his fans and the picture, Tom Jones said, ‘I never knew I was so famous.’”
Thanks again, AF
June 25th, 2008 at 11:34 pm
Golly, I remember that poster that the ladies are holding – I think I had that one on my wall – if I remember correctly, the outfit Tom almost had on was in blue leather?! And, I love the look of “surprise!”
If I remember correctly, that was the approximate time that Tom was one of the few “white” performers allowed to perform to “mixed” audiences in South Africa. It was a huge deal at the time. My how times change – this time for the better!
June 26th, 2008 at 1:45 am
It would be good if they re-named Laura St Where Tom lived to Tom Jones St. The local council in Pontyrpridd haven’t done anything in all theses years to recognise him. Yesterday on the local Welsh news it was mentioned that they are thinking of re-naming Cardiff Wales airport to a famous Welsh name and yes our Tom was mentioned for the re-name.