Tom Jones has lived his entire adult life in the spotlight. After starting his first band at age 23, he became one of the greatest artists of all time. Through it all, he was married to loving wife, Linda, for nearly 60 years, until her tragic passing in 2016.
These days, the 82-year-old is back touring after the Covid-19 pandemic. However, in recent years, Jones himself has endured some trials and tribulations relating to his health.
In fact, the legendary crooner had to cancel a show in Budapest this summer, with rumors claiming that he had collapsed. Jones has now chosen to go public with what happened – and set the record straight on his health once and for all.
Tom Jones’s career as an entertainer started at a very early age. Born Thomas John Woodward on June 7, 1940, Jones grew up in the town of Pontypridd, Wales.
From an early age, he loved to sing, and regularly performed during family gatherings and in the school choir, as well as at weddings and his mother Freda’s Women’s Guild meetings.
Tom Jones – early life & health struggles
Tom was diagnosed with dyslexia as a child, a condition he struggled with at school. He loved listening to the radio, especially American blues, R&B, and rock.
He suffered another blow at 12 years of age after he was diagnosed with tuberculosis, forcing him to stay quarantined at home for two years!
“I was isolated for two years in the house, I couldn’t go out,” he told the BBC. “For the first year, I couldn’t get out of bed. The toilet was in the garden!”
“We had this three-story house, I was on the middle floor in the backroom, ’cause that’s was where I could be isolated.”
Fortunately, Tom made it through, and it wasn’t long after that he took his next step in life. At 16, he left school, and soon became a young father. Around that same time, he grew increasingly interested in the new rock ‘n’ roll sounds on the radio. He also fell in love with a girl named Linda.
Speaking to Radio 2, Jones described the moment he first saw her.
“I remember her playing marbles and I thought, ‘My God, what great legs she’s got.’ She was the best-looking girl around there and we got together. It was magic,” he said.
When he was just 17 years of age, Tom married Linda. Just one month later, they welcomed their son, Mark.
Wife Linda & affair with Mary Wilson
Their marriage was long and loving, but not without its controversies. In 1968, Tom was involved in an affair with The Supremes star singer Mary Wilson.
Speaking with the Mirror, as quoted by Express, Tom revealed that he, Mary, and his wife became great friends despite the affair.
Moreover, he said as soon as Mary and Linda met, she became a “family friend” up until the day Linda passed away.
“In those days in the 60s, we did get close, I must admit. I can’t deny that,” Tom said. “But she got to meet my wife because I was still happily married. Honestly. And they became friends.”
At 23, Tom decided to leave local band Tommy Scott and the Senators in a bid to start his own solo career. First, though, his new agent, Gordon Mills of London, wanted him to undergo a significant change. Gordon decided that Thomas Woodward wasn’t the fanciest stage name for an artist – and he believed Tom needed to change it.
Mills suggested “Tom Jones” since it sounded “very Welsh and laddish,” according to The Guardian.
Tom started to record demos, only to grow tired of the process just six months in. It was at that point that Mills handed Tom a song he had written himself. A piece called It’s Not Unusual.
The story about Tom Jones’s song ‘It’s Not Unusual’
At first, Mills had intended it to be recorded by a young singer named Sandie Shaw.
But Tom made a demo of the song, and despite his manager’s plans, it became apparent that he could make it work.
“Thank God Sandie Shaw listened to the demo and said,” Whoever’s singing this song, it’s his song’, so God bless her,” Tom said.
“I recorded It’s Not Unusual on November 11, 1964, it came out on January 22 1965 and it was number one by March 1, which was St David’s Day. Tremendous!”
It’s Not Unusual became a smash-hit, and led to Jones setting his sights on the US. The song also became a top 10-hit in the States, and thanks to his great success with the song, Tom got to appear on the legendary Ed Sullivan Show.
More songs followed, and Tom quickly achieved superstar status. In the latter half of the 1960s, he was arguably at his peak, following up with hits such as Once Upon a Time, Green, Green Grass of Home, I’m Coming Home, Delilah, and Help Yourself.
In 1967, Tom performed for the first time in Las Vegas, at the legendary hotel The Flamingo. His time in Vegas transformed him into a superstar in the US, and helped him to form a friendship with another Vegas regular, Elvis Presley.
In the 1970s, Tom got his own television show, and has continued to remain in the public eye through to this day. Though 82 at the time of writing, his career hasn’t slowed down any. Thanks to songs like She’s a Lady and plenty of other hits, Tom ensured that he never left the spotlight.
Tragic passing of wife Linda
No, rather, he has prevailed as one of the true music legends, winning Brit Awards, Grammy Awards, and countless other recognitions for his outstanding contributions to music. In 2016, Jones was knighted by Queen Elizabeth for his services to music. In May 2021, he became the oldest man to top the UK album chart with his latest collection, Surrounded By Time.
As mentioned, Tom became a father for the first time in his teenage years. He married his wife Linda Trenchard in 1957, and they stayed together for many years. Sadly, Sir Tom was forced to say goodbye to his beloved life partner in 2016, after Linda tragically passed away after a “short but fierce” battle with lung cancer.
In an interview with This Morning, Tom opened up about her tragic death, insisting that he would “never love again.”
Simply put, his wife’s passing crushed him, and he struggled to perform on stage long after Linda was gone.
“When my wife passed away, I didn’t think I could sing,” Tom explained. “When you’re emotional, you can’t sing, your voice closes up.
“There are certain songs I wouldn’t do. But you have to try and get things from the right perspective. Feeling emotional; use it to your advantage and put it into the song.”
“It took me a while,” he continued. “Took me a few months to try and see if I could sing. I got some of my musicians around and tried a few songs. But it was very emotional.”
Tom Jones fulfilled Linda’s final wish
Linda’s passing also had other consequences – Jones decided to sell the big mansion they shared in Los Angeles, along with all their furniture, and moved back to the UK.
Today, he lives in a flat in London – that was apparently Linda’s wish. His late wife had reportedly been homesick and wanted to move back to her roots, but cancer took her life before it was possible.
“She always said she wanted to come back and then she could not do it, so then she told me to do it in the last week she was alive,” Tom, who was married to Linda for almost 60 years, said.
According to reports, Tom has struggled with back problems for several years. At 82 years of age, however, the legendary singer does his best to keep in shape. We have to say, he looks absolutely fantastic for his years!
On that note, Jones has revealed that he has a unique way of staying healthy; a practice that many people would probably find rather bizarre.
Speaking to the Mirror, Jones explained that he uses a technique called “inversion therapy.” It sees him dangle upside down, and is said to help blood circulation. In addition, shifting the body’s gravitation is believed to ease pressure on the back and spine.
People suffering from scoliosis, chronic lower back pain, and poor circulation can benefit from this specific type of therapy, according to The Sun.
Tom Jones rumored to have “collapsed” before show
“In 2030 I am going to be 90 years old,” Tom Jones told The Sun. “I hang upside down. You know on one of those frames. It’s great. You put your feet in the thing and you flip and you hang.”
Not only that, but Jones has cut down on alcohol significantly, and now only drinks a glass of wine or beer occasionally. According to the man himself, the difference is starting to show.
“I’ve got a trainer who comes to see me. A lot of stretching and boxing thrown in. It’s a good cardiovascular workout,” he said.
“Just wine with dinner – a pint of beer once in a while. I try to watch my diet too.”
“I’ve got a 12-pack,” he added. “But health is very important and that’s a lot of luck. You’ve got to take care of yourself.”
These days, Tom is back on the road performing for his European tour. However, just days ago, things took a turn for the worse when he was forced to cancel a gig.
After his wife passed away in 2016, Tom didn’t know if he would ever sing again. But his passion for music won over, and fans all over Europe – and the world – will fortunately have the chance to see him perform again.
The latest concert as part of his European tour was to have been in Budapest. However, Tom canceled the gig just an hour before he was due to go on stage. Rumors had it that the It’s Not Unusual singer “collapsed”, and that doctors were called to the stadium.
Tom Jones response: Diagnosed with viral laryngitis
Naturally, fans were worried that Tom was experiencing severe health issues. Luckily, though, that wasn’t the case. Through his Instagram page, Tom Jones issued a statement saying that he had been diagnosed with viral laryngitis. He also denied the rumors that he had collapsed.
“Hello to all concerned. I traveled [tuesday] night from the UK to Budapest and woke this morning with an uncomfortable throat,” Jones said.
“A specialist came to visit and diagnosed ‘viral laryngitis.’ He strongly advised postponing this evening’s show and prescribed medication and vocal rest.’ I did not ‘collapse’ anywhere at any time, that is pure rumour. Hopefully, the inflammation will calm soon as I am looking forward to continuing my wonderful summer tour.”
Tom added that he was “very sorry” for canceling the show at the last minute, adding that the performance in Budapest has been rescheduled and will now take place on August 16.
“Thanks again for all your kind concern,” Jones ended his statement.
We wish Tom Jones all the best in his recovery and hope to see him on stage again soon.
Please, share this article on Facebook with friends and family to send your best wishes to the legendary singer!
