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Tom Jones Says 'Applause Is the Only Drug' He's Ever Needed
- Posted on May 14th 2010 7:00AM by Chris Cottingham
Tom Jones reckons that the secret to his longevity is that he's never taken illicit narcotics. Jones, who celebrates his 70th birthday on June 7, said, "I was never interested in drugs because I've always liked a drink." The star said his reticence to indulge wasn't through lack of opportunity, either. Talking to music website The Quietus, Jones said that during the course of his five-decade-long career, he's often come into contact with various nefarious substances, presumably not least when he hung out with Elvis in Las Vegas in the '70s.
"I've been at parties where people have been snorting [cocaine] off tables, but it was never attractive to me," Jones said. "I've never tried it once. I've never even smoked a joint. I wouldn't want to take a chance on something where I don't know what the effect will be. That saved me from going down that road."
He went on to add that applause was "the drug I've indulged in the most."
Asked whether he'd ever had problems with alcohol, Jones said that he's never allowed it to interfere with his work because he always makes sure he gets eight hours sleep a night. "Kelly Jones from Stereophonics ... calls me 'Tommy Eight Hours,'" Jones joked. He added that his favorite beer was a Welsh brew called Felinfoel Double Dragon, which he buys at his local supermarket in Los Angeles.
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I was at several parties as security and Tom snorted cocaine with the best of em. He's full of crap.
September 15 2012 at 10:52 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Ken Parrott
I applaud you Tom.....the majority of folks with common sense know that you made the right decisions......you sure look a lot healthier than Keith Richards......
May 16 2010 at 6:33 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
kenny48
Tom Jones has the greatest voice ever. Bar none.
May 16 2010 at 6:13 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Shellf9ish
I think it is very nice that he's never tried or did drugs..........Not to many entertainers can say that.....I applaud him......
May 16 2010 at 4:55 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Lois Patrick
Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap. Feel better, Tom?
Dee
Hey! He is Eurpopean not American. Drinking Welsh beer is his vise? He is 70 and still looks great! Europeans are not nearly as Tightassed as Americans. That is why I married one! I am so glad he is not politically correct about everything. Europeans do not pick at minutia like buzzards.
May 16 2010 at 3:37 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Ron
Tom Jones is the real deal ..and he lives to sing
He genuinely loves what he does and those he sings for-his fans worldwide. I challenge any of the great singers, anywhere in the world, to go head to head with Tom on a hundred song medley .. I don't think anyone can do it. Tom is a wonderful person with a gift from above ..only one to a world. You go Tom !!!!
Aghast
We saw Tom a few years ago - he still has GREAT pipes and puts on an excellent show. Highly recommended!
May 16 2010 at 2:38 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Big Al
The brain cell is the only cell in the human body that does not reproduce itself, and it just so happens that alcohol kills off these same brain cells.Once you loose them you never get them back.This is why drunks act so stupid.Educate yourselfs people.Alcohol is a drug, its a downer a depressent.The only reason its legal is because all politicians are alcoholics and crooked and are making money on it being legal.You people have a computer there in front of you, use it and educate yourselfs. I have 5 brothers and 5 sisters and half of them are alcoholics. I know believe me. They get drunk, lose their inhibitions and act like assholes.Keep drinking and when your liver gives out and you die from scarolsis all the pot heads in the world will still be getting high and have excellent vision.
May 16 2010 at 1:28 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
tfarnon
I was too young to be a huge Tom Jones fan when he first became popular (in the mid 1960's). Heck--even the Beatles were "too old" for me as a grade-schooler, but I was crazy about them. But as a 50-year old, I have to hand it to Jones. He's still got it. He's still hot. And best of all, he's figured out how to alter his songs so they still sound good and unforced. He's changed his arrangements so that his aging voice can still deliver (unlike some other singers) a great performance.
May 16 2010 at 1:03 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
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