TOM JONES BIOGRAPHY - AGE, CAREER, SONGS & FACTS

Tom Jones  remains one of the most recognisable voices in popular music. Born Thomas John Woodward on 7 June 1940 in Pontypridd, Wales, he has sold more than 100 million records across a career spanning six decades, with signature hits including It's Not Unusual, What's New Pussycat?, Delilah, She's a Lady  and Sex Bomb.

Now 86, the Welsh singer was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2006 and continues to perform for packed houses around the world. From his long Las Vegas residency years to his role as a coach on The Voice UK, Jones has stayed a working artist well into his ninth decade, with a 2026 tour keeping him on stage.

Early Life

Born:  Thomas John Woodward, 7 June 1940, in Treforest, Pontypridd, Wales.

Family:  He was the son of a coal miner.

Discovery:  He was discovered by Gordon Mills in 1963. Mills became his manager and gave him the stage name Tom Jones.

Career

Breakthrough:  "It's Not Unusual" became a UK number one and US Top 10 hit in 1965, followed by his debut album Along Came Jones.

Hit songs:  He sang the James Bond theme "Thunderball" (1965), then scored with "Green, Green Grass of Home," "Delilah," "She's a Lady," his Prince cover "Kiss" and "Sex Bomb."

Sales:  More than 100 million records sold worldwide, with 36 UK Top 40 hits and 19 US Top 40 hits.

Las Vegas:  He was a star Las Vegas residency performer from 1967 to 2011.

Honors & The Voice UK

Awards:  Grammy Award for Best New Artist (1966), MTV Video Music Award (1989), and two Brit Awards — Best British Male (2000) and Outstanding Contribution to Music (2003).

Knighthood:  He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2006 and holds a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The Voice UK:  He served as a coach on The Voice UK from 2012 to 2015, returned in 2017, and has stayed on the panel through 2026.

2026: Still Touring at 86

Personal life:  He married Linda Woodward in 1957, and they stayed together until her death in April 2016.

Age 86:  He turned 86 on 7 June 2026 and remains an active touring artist.

US tour:  His US shows on 26 and 27 October were postponed because of flu, with new dates on 3 and 4 November; existing tickets are honored. (Read more: Tom Jones postpones Los Angeles and San Diego concerts.)

Tom Jones, 86, postponed his Los Angeles (The Greek Theatre, 26 October) and San Diego Come Gather Round Tour shows on 26 October 2026 after being hit with a severe case of influenza; San Diego moved to 3 November and Los Angeles to 4 November, with tickets valid and refunds available. He had completed 20 US shows prior to the illness.

Watch the Official Video

Watch the official performance of "It's Not Unusual" by Tom Jones above — recorded for the television show This Is Tom Jones in 1969 and shared via his official YouTube channel.

Frequently Asked Questions

How old is Tom Jones?  Tom Jones turned 86 on 7 June 2026.

What are his biggest hits?  His biggest hits include "It's Not Unusual," "What's New Pussycat?," "Delilah," "She's a Lady" and "Sex Bomb."

Was Tom Jones knighted?  Yes. Queen Elizabeth II knighted him in 2006, making him formally Sir Tom Jones.

Is he still touring in 2026?  Yes. He is still performing in 2026; his US shows on 26 and 27 October were postponed to 3 and 4 November because of flu, with existing tickets honored.

More biographies:  Rod Stewart biography, Shania Twain biography  and Paul McCartney biography.