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.
That Last Night In Reno: The Band’s Photo, Some Fun Video And, If You Care, Some House News
Friday, September 4th, 2009In the US, Canada and Bermuda this is the start of the long Labor (or, in Canada and Bermuda, “LaboUr”) Day weekend, the last gasp of summer. Whether your celebration begins today or tomorrow, may it be safe and happy If you have a chance, please be sure to scroll down and answer our September Question of the Month. And, in the next few days, look for interesting video. Stay safe and healthy! (And, next Labor Day may we celebrate in a strong, thriving world economy where anyone who wants work can get it.)
Here, taken Saturday night, August 29, after the show at the Reno Ballroom, is a photo of what Sir Tom has often referred to “the greatest band in the land” (and, as it has for generations, the word “band” includes the singers).
They are, standing from left, Kenny Anderson, Bill Churchville, Ric, Fierbaraci, Darelle Holden, Tony Reynolds, Brian Monroney, Sharon Hendrix, Kevin Richardson, Frank Strauss, Mike Turnbull and, seated center as he always is onstage, Herman L. Matthews. (And exactly what is Sharon doing in this photo?)
We look forward to seeing them all — “The Tom Jones Band” — together again, as Tom says at the end of each show, “real soon!” (Because we know “tomorrow night!” is impossible.)
Things are still unsettled and we don’t know what’s happening in January, so we just have to be patient, wait (and hope).
If you recall Shirley’s comment below on Tom in Reno Saturday night, she mentioned a thong he tucked away for safekeeping.
You can see it in the photo at screen shot right (the stage lighting is interfering with the clarity) and in video of the last two songs along with the closing moments of the show. You might notice that this video, like the video from Outside Lands shows off the band to advantage and clearly demonstrates their interplay with that guy one reviewer called “one hell of a frontman.”
You can watch the it in the TJI.com Video Library.
Band photo used by permission of owner.
Tom Jones’ House:From multiple news sources comes word Nicolas Cage’s house — which was originally Dean Martin’s house and then Tom Jones’ house — was sold for $14.5 million (£9.6 million) to designer Christian Audigier (creator of his eponymous line and of the Ed Hardy brand). Audigier also bought Michael Jackson’s Neverland estate in Santa Barbara for an undisclosed sum. He plans to open it every year on the anniversary of Jackson’s death. He is the designer of Chrisitian Audigier the Nightclub at TI in Las Vegas, touted as “the happiest nightclub” in the city (whatever that means).
September 4th, 2009 at 1:24 am
Tom looks full of himself,one hell of a boy to go with one hell of a voice!
September 4th, 2009 at 6:26 am
Absolutely LOVE the pic of the band and singers!!! Thank-you so much, Ellen!
September 4th, 2009 at 7:11 am
Great picture of a fabulous group of musicians! I think Sharon is reaching over to hold Kevin’s hand. I’m hoping/assuming they’ll be back with Sir Tom next year when he returns to Vegas and touring in the US.
September 4th, 2009 at 7:30 am
What a band! Thanks Ellen for the photo. Here’s wishing Sir Tom a fantastic UK and European tour and most of all safe travels.
September 4th, 2009 at 11:24 am
Rumor has it that the house was the one used in the Batman TV series, in the shot they would show whenever the voiceover would say, “meanwhile, back at stately Wane Manor…”
I was there once, looked for the Bat-poles, but didn’t find any. There was an English phone booth by the pool, probably for Superman to change into his swimsuit.
Lampie
September 4th, 2009 at 11:30 am
Looks like Frank has his arm around Sharon and she is grabbing on to his hand. Almost looks like Sharon has a tear in her eye. The thought of a possibility of this fine group not being back with TJ brings tears to my eyes too. Lets hope somebody will come to their senses and we will see them all again in January at the MGM.
September 4th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
I love the photo of the band. Who is between Bill Churchville & Darelle Holden? He is the only one I couldn’t name. I recognize his face, but forgot his name. Seeing Frank and Mike standing together brought back memories of running into them at Look Park. They must be tight.
Checked out the official website last night. There is a news item saying to check the tour dates for a change in the December schedule. The tour dates section ends in November! I hate to keep ragging about the official site, but it’s stuff like that that bugs me.
September 4th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
I forgot to add that its a fabulous photo and I love it. They all look hot.
September 4th, 2009 at 3:06 pm
Donna Smith: That person between Bill and Darielle is Ric Fierabracci, the new bass player.
September 4th, 2009 at 3:54 pm
Love the picture – I hope this turns out to be not the end and that 2010 will see them all back together. I truly hope so. They are a great and talented group and will be sorely missed.
September 5th, 2009 at 12:13 am
I agree with you Gail. Nice pic of the band, thanks Ellen.
September 5th, 2009 at 8:17 am
As the caption says “Tom Jones Band”. Losing any of them is like losing a member of the family. I look forward to seeing them all together again in January. If not, I am going to be very disappointed.
September 5th, 2009 at 10:42 pm
I agree Sandy S. Great picture of the band. In the video, Sir Tom cracks me up with the red thong – never saw him do that before, but I LOVED it. You would think he would trip on all those panties, but of course, he always has something to “grab” onto, as Ellen has said before.
September 10th, 2009 at 6:54 am
In comment to Lampie the Clown and his statement about the phone booth by the pool….I seem to recall an interview with Tom stating that the “phone box”, as I believe he called it, was the one from the end of his street when he was growing up in Wales and there weren’t phones in the homes. He had it shipped to LA when they were getting rid of them in Wales. There was another story that I heard that says he got the news that his son Mark was born by a phone call at the box and then after the phone box was brought to his house in LA he got the call that his grandson was born from the same phone box! I think I read that story in People magazine years ago when the grandson was born accompanied by a picture of a speedo clad Tom standing by the pool holding the baby. You could see the phone box in the background. There was a caption something to the effect of “Does this man look like a grandfather?”!