Tom Jones - Over the Top and Back

 

Despite his protestations and wishes, Tom Jones at his height was not a rocker. That might have been his desire and passion, but his material and his PR steered him to a successful career as a talented but somewhat smaltzy singer of good AM pop tunes like "It's Not Unusual", "What's New Pussycat", "Delilah", et al. I like this stuff, but they're pop tunes that your parents could listen to, not raw rock'n'roll - hell, he even got his own TV show! (Which, to his credit, he used to promote some high quality acts from the time). But, this autobiography shows his true feelings and he proves himself to be a talented writer and storyteller, as well as lasting icon.

After opening with a fairly depressing scene of him backstage at a supper club in the 80's (which, he admits, wasn't that bad and he was well paid, despite his wishes for something more aesthetically satisfying), he moves to his childhood in Wales, his family, his dyslexia, his crushes and an early bout with tuberculosis which left him bedridden for the better part of a couple of years. This free time made him even more of a music fan than he had been (notwithstanding the lack of entertainment options on the radio and TV at this time) and he then felt he had to make up for lost time.

At sixteen, he impregnates his 15 year old girlfriend and they get married - and stay together for the rest of their lives, to his credit. He works various jobs and happens into a band situation when a singer fails to show for a gig and an acquaintance locates him at his local pub. This turns into a regular gig and once again shows Tom's split personality - he gets them to do more rockin' songs, ala Jerry Lee Lewis, but also gets them to do social clubs where they need to do more lightweight material - something he disparaged them for doing before he joined. There's a demo session with Joe Meek, a chance meeting with Jimmy Saville and eventually a pop star turned manager, Gordon Mills. This works out, obviously, as Mills writes "It's Not Unusual" and makes Tom a star!

But, his material and presentation keeps him from being a more traditional pop star and he quickly becomes a fixture on the dinner theater circuit - which is financially fulfilling - and not much later he goes to Vegas and he also gets his own TV show! There are a number of compromises there, but he brings on many acts that he is truly passionate about and does a good job performing with counter-culture icons. As with most acts, his popularity eventually wanes for a number of years - although he still makes money, particularly in Vegas - and then he has one of the most unlikely'n'unpredictable comebacks of all time, which he is still enjoying.

As I said, his writing style is casual as well as compelling and his tale is entertaining throughout - as usual, I especially enjoy hearing about London in the 60's - although his continued insistence of him being a "rocker" almost borders on the absurd. Talented yes, with a terrific voice, but not a rocker, sorry Mr. - I mean Sir - Jones. Still, if you have any interest in this story, you will enjoy this book.