That's it for today!
Thanks to everyone who asked questions, and to Tom for answering so many of them. Until next time!
mark1608 asks:
You get asked a lot of questions about Elvis. What do you think he would have made of the deity-like status he now has, 40 years after his death?
Guardian contributor I think he would enjoy it - Elvis loved being Elvis. He would love being alive too!
toggy12 asks:
Do you still feel Welsh ... or more cosmopolitan nowadays?
Guardian contributor I still feel Welsh. Welshness is realism, no bullshit. A Welsh person will remind you of who you are.
dutchcourage asks:
You were affected by TB in your childhood – to what extent has that influenced your career?
Guardian contributor Never take anything for granted. I gave me a great appreciation of good health.
mattyjj asks:
Is it true that you were o Charles Manson’s hit list?
Guardian contributor Yes. The FBI gave out the list after they'd caught him, and I was on it, along with Frank Sinatra and Elizabeth Taylor.
ID3961975 asks:
Would you perform on another track with Kelly Jones? Your voices are great together. Thank you.
Guardian contributor
horsehead asks:
Of your own recordings, which is your favourite?
Are there any songs you haven’t recorded, and would like to?
Guardian contributor That's a big, big question, because there's some unique recordings I've done. Kiss. I love The Boy From Nowhere. I'm Never Going To Fall In Love Again. All for different reasons, but they have passion.
"I would like to make a serious movie. Being given a tremendous, challenging role – that still appeals to me"
lbruckschen asks:
Is there something you have not done musically, or in the entertainment field, would like to do?
Guardian contributor Maybe make a serious movie. Being given a tremendous, challenging role - that still appeals to me.
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robsandiego asks:
Tom, when your records first got aired in the US many black artists thought you were black too, because your voice and singing style had a lot of “soul” to it. After they found out you were a white Welshman, did they treat you as just another white boy trying to steal their thunder, like Elvis and others did before?
Guardian contributor No. They still don't believe I'm a white boy, that I'm from Wales but not white. Will.i.am said I was "passing". They all do. When they played It's Not Unusual, a black DJ in New York told my manager after he invited me to the studio: no, whoever is singing this song is simply not white. Holland-Dozier-Holland, they said it's the tone, the syncopation, the rhythm I put into it - a tone and rhythm that white people don't have, they said.
kazer92 asks:
As someone with possibly the sexiest bluesy voice ever, would you have any tips for deep-voiced 20-something year old guy whose just started taking singing seriously?
PS. Spent 3 years at Uni in Trefforest/Pontypridd, lovely part of the world.
Guardian contributor Follow your dream. Don't take any bullshit from anybody. And always think of the song first. You have to live the song that you're singing.
Steven Mccoy asks:
Tom it’s been a while ... In celebrating 50 years in show business, what do you feel is your single biggest personal accomplishment?
Guardian contributor Being knighted by the Queen. It's a special award, above and beyond any profession. Even music. To be knighted by the finest monarch in British history... Who do you think Chuck Berry wrote about?
Svetlana Pruteanu Teodoru asks:
I been told about you singing in the corner restaurant in Shepherd’s Bush Green in London. What are your memories?
Guardian contributor I sang with New Model Army on Shepherd's Bush Green, singing Gimme Shelter for getting shelter for people, a charity thing.
Bodwyn asks:
How much did you enjoy last Saturday?
Guardian contributor Wales only turned it around in the last fifteen minutes - they both played really well.
cmp1972 asks:
Of all the artists you have worked with, who do you think has the best voice and moves you the most? I really loved watching all the TV specials you did as I was growing up especially the Midnight Special, etc. I saw you in Atlanta several times and thought you are the best singer and entertainer in the world. I am so glad you are still going strong!
Guardian contributor Aretha Franklin. She stunned me. When we sang together in the rehearsal room, her volume was unbelieveable. My hair has never been the same since. To hear her sing without a mic is.... booom.
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tcterryjr asks:
Tom Terry here. Thanks for taking my question. In 1966, you were in negotiations with Motown records but decided against the deal when the single Green, Green Grass of Home was a worldwide No. 1 hit. Looking back, are there any regrets staying with Decca at that time and missing out on some of the greatest soul songs ever written? Songs that were reportedly written for you.
Guardian contributor A good question. When I didn't sign, and I met Berry Gordy, he said if he'd had the Green Green Grass of Home, it would have been the American national anthem. He thought London Records didn't do enough with it in America. I did miss out on songs - but then again, would I have done Delilah if I had been on Motown? Well, I probably would have done! I do regret it.
The one I regret not recording was The Long and Winding Road - I would have had to stop the record I had coming out, because Paul McCartney wanted it to be my next single, and if it wasn't I couldn't have it. Decca didn't want to change their schedule.
Guardian contributor Ray Charles did a great version of it - when i heard that, I knew I should have fucking done it.
DaisyPetunia says:
Two things:
One, you rock. Always have, and I hope you always will. Had to say it. :)
Two, you’ve always had a way of making the lyrics of your songs your own and conveying the meaning as well as the music. I doubt very much the lyrics of your songs are *all* autobiographical in content, so my question for you is to ask what you do to enhance this -- for instance, do you select songs in part because of the lyrics, do you invest yourself emotionally as you’re singing, that sort of thing. Or, alternately, does it just happen without any direct effort? I’d love to know because you make it sound so natural and emotionally true when you sing, like you wrote it as well as sang it.
Thanks for so many years of great music! I wish you and yours all the best.
Guardian contributor I choose songs from lyrics that touch me, that are special. That's what makes a song, the lyrics. Melody is second. It's like Sinatra - he believed it. It's like an actor in a role, a singer does with a song, or should do. That's what makes great singers and great actors.
"When I recorded It's Not Unusual, that was the beginning, that was the turning point"
TJFL asks:
Do you ever look back on your life, and think: that’s it, that was the turning point, if I hadn’t made that decision I would never have gained the success? Also, do you ever feel a sense of over privilege, in that being so successful you could just give it all away (to help some humanitarian cause, for example). Lastly, if your career was not music, what would you have been drawn to? And do you think are happy?
Guardian contributor When I recorded It's Not Unusual, that was the beginning, that was the turning point. It was tremendous - it changes your life from virtual obscurity to being an international star. But then you have to follow it up. But I'm still here answering these questions - it's a great thing.
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Beth Trumley asks:
My sister and I saw you perform in Ottawa a long, long time ago and I’ve never stopped loving your music. My question is I thought you were terrific in Mars Attacks!, did you enjoy acting and were there other movies you wanted to be in to use that great voice you have.
Guardian contributor Updated
pussel asks:
Hi Tom, I’ve been a fan for a long time. I particularly like the early records - to my mind, these records capture your unique blend of pop, soul, folk and rock, and also let you really boom it out, better than any other segment of your career (also like the later stuff, just a preference).
But here’s my question: are there any musicians that you were working with in those early days who you are still associated with? Any you’re not whom you particularly miss? And finally, who have been your favorite musicians to work with, and what is it about their style that you enjoyed (not asking about famous people, just side men and women who brought something unique that you really appreciated).
Guardian contributor Steve Jordan the drummer, and Ethan Johns. Pino Pallandino, Italian-Welsh brought up in Cardiff - he played bass. There's so many.
I've met lots of wonderful musicians. I do remember the words that Count Basie once told me, we were playing a tour with his orchestra: don't fuck up. Great man. He played boogie woogie with me once - he said he admired Jerry Lee, said it's hard to do. He said the only difference was they miked everything up - they, the black musicians, made boogie woogie records, but they just didn't record it well. Rock Around the Clock, it was a simple song, but it jumped because of the way it was recorded.
ID491265 asks:
Hi Tom, my dad was from Treforest and passed away a few years ago. He recalls seeing you with his father in the ‘non political’ club there, which made him laugh as it was run by communists. Do you remember that, and were you really called Jones the Voice?
Guardian contributor
Which of today's artist genuinely excite him? "James Bay. He sings and plays like he means it"
catchytitled asks:
It’s ... ahem ... not unusual for many modern artists to cite you as an influence and inspiration. Which of today’s artists genuinely excite you? If any.
Guardian contributor James Bay. He sings and plays like he means it. And I like Bruno Mars, and Tori Kelly - the best female around today, of the new female singers she's the best. Truly great. She did try X Factor and Cowell said no, he hated her voice. There's proof right there - if he hates it, it's great. She plays great guitar, she's a great looking chick and she sings like an angel. She can sing like Jessie J, all the vocal tricks. And she writes too.
Brent Cunliffe asks:
Get Jerry Lee on the phone and get that duets album out before it’s too late.
Guardian contributor Jerry Lee said exactly that himself to me... I like everything about him. His honesty. In his autobiography he said I've never done anything I didn't want to do. He marches to another beat, and I love that beat.
tojoitsnotunusualyea asks:
You said you wouldn’t write an autobiography, what changed your mind? I have ordered both the book and the album so I’m looking forward to reading and listening to them. I have been an admirer of your music since I heard It’s Not Unusual and the rest, as you say, is history.
Guardian contributor I found a suitcase. I find things that I felt I had to share with the public. It was about time to tell the truth, my side of the story, rather than other books that have been put out. There's a lot of crap, zeroing in on unimportant parts of my life - I wanted to tell the meaningful parts of my life.
Eileen Grant asks:
I just read the Charlotte Laws book. Do you mention her, Cassandra Peterson, Mary Wilson in Over the Top and Back? If not, why? Also who do you like for president in the US? Are you a Democrat, Republican or other?
Guardian contributor I'm a resident alien, so I couldn't vote if I wanted to. I'm a British subject. I just read a thing about Emily Blunt becoming an American citizen, she said the hardest thing to do was to renounce the queen.
helenhunter asks:
Were you flattered or annoyed by Jackie Collins’s character that was supposed to be based on you?
Guardian contributor
Bojana1 says:
I had had the pleasure to listen to you for the first time in Belgrade arena a few years ago and I would like to thank you for fulfilling my dream of listening to you live. Words cannot describe how happy and blessed I felt. THANK YOU! Now for the questions, I wished to combine both the name of the album and biography.
1. What is the most precious thing that you found when you opened your lost suitcase when writing the biography Over the Top and Back?
2. What is your all-time favourite song?
I wish you much happiness, many blessings, health and much success.
Guardian contributor The most precious thing? Myself! And I found a long lost old photograph of my grandfather. And by the way, this is a great question. I live out of a suitcase, so I have many suitcases ever since 1965. I'm always coming across things I thought I'd lost that I have in storage, and so that's why the album is called that. I was looking for material for records for the album and photographs for the book. You've got to hide things... a suitcase is the best place for them.
evolute asks:
Would you ever consider recording another Bond theme? Many of us feel that they badly need to rediscover their “oomph” – and you’re the man to do it.
Guardian contributor Yes. With the right song, yes. I think the songs are different now though. When I recorded Thunderball, it fit Sean Connery. It was a macho song for a macho James Bond at the time. I like Sam Smith and I'm looking forward to hearing his song.
sundans asks:
Tom, you are a gifted , gracious, talented man who has accomplished self-actualisation in every sense of the word. Do you have any regrets?
Guardian contributor No. Not really. In general, I wanted to become a professional singer and I did. When you fulfil a dream, how can there be regrets?
"I was thinking about Elvis the day he died"
geoffwode asks:
Hi Tom can you go into a bit more depth about your friendship with Elvis Presley?
Guardian contributor There are many stories - read a book. I'm going to tell stories in the book that people haven't heard before. And on the album, there's a song that says a lot about Elvis. I was thinking about him the day he died.
seaspan asks:
Any insights to Janis Joplin’s mood while singing Little Girl Blue?
Guardian contributor I know what mood she was in when she did Raise A Hand - she was on fire!
Rudy Norbert Bourgeois asks:
What a happy longevity as a singer. Do you consider yourself a highly disciplined workaholic? Or is it all rejoicing as much as you can?
Guardian contributor Rejoicing. I am disciplined though, you can't just sing when you feel like it. It goes hand in hand.
Tippy2 asks:
Hello Tom. You are the only pop singer I’ve ever liked. Tell me (as a Welsh lady) how often do you return to Wales?
Guardian contributor I'll be there on Monday at the Millennium Centre in Cardiff.
FreddieValentine asks:
When will you stop?
Guardian contributor Doing what? Some girl shouted to Jack Jones: Tom Jones is better! He said: at what?
lbruckschen asks:
You exercise daily. What do you do to stay fit?
Guardian contributor Exercise daily! I walk a lot. I was walking yesterday, and this girl asked me if I'd like to go into some virtual reality experience. I said I'm still trying to deal with this reality.
Karen Fiore Macera asks:
Anything left on your bucket list that you can share with us? And when are you coming back to the States? We’ve missed you.
Guardian contributor
blowhorn asks:
Is your hair real or made of lambs wool? Either way, it’s damned sexy.
Guardian contributor
Elmo Fabinou asks:
Ever taken LSD?
Guardian contributor No. Not that I can remember. Pounds schillings and pence, that's the only LSD I know.
carygrant3000 asks:
What’s your favourite Bond theme (other than Thunderball)?
Guardian contributor Goldfinger. From Russia With Love is good too - all the early themes are great. Shirley Bassey had her do a song for Thunderball, but didn't like it - so they wrote a song called Thunderball for me. Still had the Welsh flavour.
greysky asks:
Do you think Albert Finney accurately captured your character in that film about you, and were you jealous of his success with Susannah York?
Guardian contributor Yes I thought he did a wonderful job portraying me in Tom Jones. Very messy eater though. Tremendous actor.
Martinnew asks:
I’m in my 50’s and have recently started having singing lessons. What’s your regime for keeping your voice in such good shape?
Guardian contributor Plenty of water, drinking water. And 8 hours sleep. And a Vocalzone, it's a throat pastille. Very important.
Would he be successful today? "Definitely. With the shit that's around now, no problem! I was up against Elvis Presley, Janis Joplin..."
craigtherage asks:
Tom! Do you think you would have been equally successful if you were singing today?
Guardian contributor Definitely. With the shit that's around now, no problem! I was up against Elvis Presley, Janis Joplin... the British thing was huge then so to be successful at that time was tough.
craigtherage asks:
Tom! Do you also write songs? Which songwriter would you have liked to have penned a song for you?
Guardian contributor Yes I write songs - Looking Out My Window on Reload was mine. Paul McCartney wrote THe Long And Winding Road for me, but the timing was off and I couldn't record it. Dylan wrote for me too, What Good Am I. He liked my version so much he included it on a TV special in the States. He asked me to sing it - what an honour.
raskolinkov asks:
Is Marvin Gaye’s version of It’s Not Unusual the best version ?
Guardian contributor It's the worst version. He never got a hold of it. Stevie Wonder did... Levi Stubbs of the Four Tops did a great version too.
Matty Patenall asks:
How do you feel about not being on the next series on The Voice and do you still keep in touch with your fellow coaches?
Guardian contributor How do you feel about being on the what? I'll just have to spin my own chair. Every time sometimes talks to me I'll turn my back on them.
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highviewx3 asks:
Sir Tom – I know you’ve done some movies, but I think you could very easily move into more “serious” acting. You have a certain gravitas, a sort of presence on camera, and I think some movie genre like that of Mike Leigh would be fantastic for you ... maybe something Welsh? I urge you to consider this idea – because I think you’re ready for it.
Guardian contributor Yeah, if the right part came up. I did a thing called King of the Teds, with Alison Steadman and Brenda Blethyn. It all depends on the script - it's like a song, you don't want to sing it unless it's well-written. I'd like to do a western though - I want to be a gunslinger. I'll play Rowdy Yates - remember him?
mlang asks:
My Grandad used to tell a story about you going into the Trallwn Club and asking if you could sing for beer. Is this true, and could you tell us more about your pre-fame singing days around Ponty?
Guardian contributor
Tom Jones is with us now
Let’s get started!
Post your questions for Tom Jones
Whether it’s his whoa-oh-ohs on What’s New Pussycat?, his pleading on Delilah or his two minutes of perfect crooning on It’s Not Unusual, Tom Jones’s voice is instantly recognisable, technically brilliant and near-universally adored.
The Welsh singer, now 75, has enjoyed hits across six decades, convincingly reinventing himself along the way as a lounge lizard, country star, and, in Sex Bomb, improbable Europop diva. Famously great friends with Elvis, he has covered his songs as well as those by Prince, John Lee Hooker and Arctic Monkeys; he’s also become a teatime TV favourite with his stint judging The Voice on BBC1.
He’s back with his first ever autobiography, Over the Top and Back, and an accompanying album, Long Lost Suitcase, taking on songs from down the years by Gillian Welch, the Rolling Stones and more. With each out on 8 and 9 October respectively, he’s joining us on Monday 5 October to answer your questions in a live webchat, from noon BST onwards. Post yours in the comments below, and he’ll answer as many as possible.
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It was great talking to everybody, hope we can do it again soon. All the best, Tom. And don't forget to buy the book and the record if you want to learn even more about me!