Welsh singer Tom Jones is set to be honoured at this year’s Songwriters Hall of Fame 40th Anniversary Awards.
Forget all you know about cuddly ol’ Tom Jones. Emerging from the Welsh valleys with a voice that sounded as if it had been gargling coal, in his early phase Tom Jones was pure filth. Check out ‘Delilah’, a song so cold blooded it took Nick Cave thirty years to match the Welsh singer’s powerful delivery.
Of course, it all went the way of Las Vegas and self-parody before his ‘Re Loaded’ resurrection brought him back into the charts again. Still recording and touring, Tom Jones stands as one of Britain’s true singing greats.
The Welsh singer will be awarded at the Songwriters Hall of Fame 40th Anniversary Awards. Held in New York, the award aim to celebrate some of the finest talents around. Tom Jones has been chosen due to “exceptional staying power and accomplishments, along with his unique artistry.”
Jones is in good company, with previous recipients of the Hitmaker Award including Chuck Berry, Diana Ross and Whitney Houston.
The inductees at this year’s awards include some huge talents. Jon Bon Jovi is still capable of packing out stadiums with his gutsy rock, while Crosby, Stills And Nash continue to work hard and will perform at this summer’s Glastonbury festival.
However it’s not all stellar names that get recognised. The Young Rascals were New York hit merchants in the 60s before their star faded, but the band will see their work recognised by entry into the Hall of Fame.
Songwriters Hall Of Fame 40th Anniversary Awards are due to take place on June 18th.
