Tom Jones: Close Up

by Lucy Ellis

Tom Close Up surpasses all other attempts to chronicle the life of a unique star who has been notoriously unforthcoming about himself. It also offers a fascinating insight into half a century of pop, spanning the Fifties pub scene of South Wales, the glitzy resort hotels of Eighties Vegas and a triumphant period of personal reinvention for a whole new generation of Jones fans at the start of the 21st century.This highly readable biography finally separates truth from myth to reveal the flesh-and-blood man behind the legend. With over 70 interviews including friends, family and colleagues, Tom Close Up offers a minutely-researched chronology of Jones' 40-year career as well as details of his odd life of deep family ties and unbridled sexual promiscuity. From Las Vegas and L.A. to London and South Wales, the authors the pieces together the roller-coaster life of Tom Jones spanning his carer childhood and the days of legendary stardom, through the career slump in the eighties to the spectacular comeback of the Reload album. Includes 24 pages of photographs from every era of Jones' life.

Genres: Biography

432 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2002

Reviews

[Sharon · Rating 2 out of 5]

What a randy sod you are Mr Jones, and what a patient and wonderful wife you have who is happy to be the traditional wife.
I personally have never seen the sex appeal of Tom Jones, and as for his sexist attitudes, I will put that down to be a product of his times and upbringing. What I will admit to is quite liking the man's voice, and conceding that I like his attitude toward his fans and the charity work he does.
This a good book, with parts that I am sure Tom Jones and his management would rather we not know about, but all in all, a good book on the life and times of Tom Jones.