We know a few mums who would beg to differ, but 81-year-old crooner Tom Jones has declared he’s now “too old” for dedicated fans to still be throwing their underwear at him while performing on stage.
Speaking to OK! Magazine ahead of his 81st birthday yesterday, the 1960’s sex symbol – whose hits include ‘Sexbomb’, ‘What’s New Pussycat?’ and ‘Delilah’ – opened up about his long-spanning career, as well as his plans to keep performing for as long as he’s able to do so.
“I’ve got good bones and I am pretty fit, and as long as I’ve got two bloody legs, I’ll keep performing,” he told the publication when asked of any plans to retire.
“I can’t wait for live shows because I love singing to a lot of people. Without them, what’s the point?
“I’ve had such a great time…but you’ve got to enjoy the different parts of life, and I’m enjoying myself now.”
One thing that has been retired, however, is the plethora of undergarments that were regularly thrown on stage by thirsty fans during live performances in his heyday.
“The tight pants, open neck shirt, people throwing things at me – that went with time,” Jones said.
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“I concentrate more on the way I sing as opposed to the way I move. You can’t be up there saying, ‘I am Mr Macho,’ because I’m not. I’m not jumping all over the place, but I don’t feel 80.”
Reflecting on a career that has spanned nearly six decades, the Welsh singer cited being knighted by The Queen in 2005 as one of his biggest personal highlights.
“The thing I am most proud of is being knighted by The Queen,” Jones told the magazine.
“When I was a child, they didn’t give medals to entertainers. I just thought if I could make a living as a singer, I’d be the happiest person in the world, which I am, but you don’t think about being knighted.
“It’s a wonderful thing and I never saw it coming.”
For more on this topic, head over to the Classic Rock Observer.
Check out ‘Sexbomb’ by Tom Jones and Mousse T:
