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Sir Tom Jones Recalls First Meeting with Elvis Presley

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Sir Tom Jones has revealed how he and Elvis Presley met for the first time on a Californian film set -- and how the King of Rock 'n' Roll greeted the Welsh singer by singing one of his songs to him. Jones was speaking to Radio 2 presenter Chris Evans ahead of his scheduled appearance at the Elvis Forever concert in London's Hyde Park on Sunday, Sept. 12.

''I was at Paramount Studios talking about a song for a film, and they said Elvis is here and would like to meet you -- I said, 'My God, I didn't know that he knew that I even existed,' because it was my first year," Sir Tom explained.

"I went on set and he was there filming and then he stops for a minute and is walking towards me, and I had a ballad out at the time called 'With These Hands' and there comes Elvis Presley singing 'With These Hands' walking towards me, it was like a dream -- and I though, 'Mmy God, this is unbelievable.'

''When he got to me he said, 'How the hell do you sing like that?' and I said 'Well you're partly to blame.'"

Sir Tom became firm friends with Presley though unlike Tupelo's most famous son managed to avoids the trappings of fame that became the undoing of the King of Rock 'n' Roll.

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Jeff

I have been privileged to work with Tom Jones many times, being part of the crew. I also saw him in concert 8 times in the front row with girls. NY Fla, ect - I know many privileged and private stories about the GREAT TJ.

The one true word for him is DYNAMIC! When you see Tom in concert and you know talent, their is no better.

What they always said was the Heart, body, and soul - is what you get and more than you ever imagined! 110% of raw beautiful talent every time.

When you leave that concert hall, you just say WOW!!!!
nothing like it.

And a true gentleman at all times. A man from Whales, crossing over to the US I was there in 1965 with my dad, and the rest is history.

I lived it I KNOW.

He's own dance moves are only his, his voice there may never be another, and his soul - born gifted for all of us to enjoy the magical wonder of one the greatest voices and performers of our time.

You cannot compare - Everyone is different - In truth there is only 1 = ONE Tom Jones.

September 13 2010 at 4:59 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Lynn D. Brown

His TV show decades ago was a classic ! It's now on DVD. I'll never forget when Sammy Davis Jr was on there and when he heard TJ belt one out, he said "No way you're white" There's only one.

September 12 2010 at 4:08 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
ART THOMAS

To me....two greatest singers are Sammy Davis Jr and Tom Jones.....they can sing anything form soul, jazz, ballads, etc etc etc......there isn't anything they can't sing and better than most anyone including those who made hits....I mean Sammy and Tom would be able to take any hit song and sing it better than the artist who made the hit. Art

September 12 2010 at 1:54 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Ron Canter

I was lucky enough to have cowritten a song that Tom Jones recorded on 1980. The song is "My Last Goodbye" on an album called Tom Jones Country. I had the opportunity to meet him around the release time of the album backstage after a concert of his at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles. He is a real class act & a major talent who is still reinventing himself in his late 60s.

September 12 2010 at 1:52 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Ron Canter's comment
ART THOMAS

WOW !!!!! That's incredible Ron.....you must be doing OK financially if you were a cowriter for a song that's on his album....royalties and all. Right? Art

September 12 2010 at 1:56 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
miguel

i first notice his voice in thunderball whrn he sang the main theme song and needless to say i'm his fan ever since.

September 12 2010 at 12:38 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
DanBanez

Tom Jones is a fantastic singer, along with Engelbert Humperdinck!

Whatever happened to Engelbert anyway?

September 12 2010 at 12:29 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Liz

Love Tom, have seen him 3x's in concert and he never fails to deliver a great show. My 16 and 21 year old daughters and their friends can belt out his songs in the car! Fun, fun, fun!!

September 12 2010 at 12:17 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Brian Workman

That's why he's still alive and called Sir. Tom Jones?! Sir. Tom Jones kept his name unsoiled by fame & fortune!

September 12 2010 at 12:06 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Rick

I saw him years ago at Billy Bobs in Ft Worth,TX. I almost threw my underwear on the stage. LOL. Qite a performer.

September 11 2010 at 10:31 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
eddiemylove

There is no greater singer than Sir Tom Jones.

September 11 2010 at 9:32 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to eddiemylove's comment
marge

you have that right i was a fan of tom jones way back in the 70s i had my picture taken with him and i tresure it im going to see him next moth that will be my 6 time there has never been better and never will be hes the greatest he was so nice when i meant him and let us take pictures and he gave me a record and signed it and i now do karaoke and deliha is my signure song and tom would be proud if he heard me do it since im a 66 year old lady

September 12 2010 at 1:56 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply