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How Tom Jones Conquered America

Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media

Music: Classic Pop & Rock

BBC Radio Wales - How Tom Jones Conquered America

Gary Raymond tells the story of how Tom Jones conquered the American entertainment world

In a special programme marking Sir Tom's 80th Birthday, writer and broadcaster Gary Raymond makes a passionate case for why this Welsh icon should be held in the highest esteem.

In this special programme marking Sir Tom's 80th Birthday, writer and broadcaster Gary Raymond makes a passionate and very personal case for why this Welsh icon should be held in the highest esteem.

Gary tells the story of how Tom Jones conquered the American entertainment world - from the Vegas stage to primetime television. Between 1969 and 1971 the Pontypridd-born singer  bestrode the American small screen like a colossus with 57 episodes of his smash ABC show This Is Tom Jones.

And no wonder Elvis was impressed by his Welsh rival. Just look at Tom's guests: Janis Joplin; Stevie Wonder; Aretha Franklin; Sammy Davis Jr; Bob Hope; Burt Bacharach; Peter Sellers; Johnny Cash; Sonny & Cher; Liza Minelli; Crosby, Stills and Nash; Ray Charles; Tony Bennett….the list goes on.

Not that Tom was ever overawed in such company. He was a natural in front of the camera. Indeed, he was nominated for a Golden Globe in 1970 for best TV musical/comedy actor.

We hear how among this A-list mix of stateside stars, Tom ensured Wales would also have a voice on the American network - Treorchy Male Voice Choir were guests three times while Mary Hopkin and the Band of the Welsh Guards also appeared.

Drawing on his own epiphany of seeing Tom in America, Gary invites us to look afresh at the achievement of Wales' greatest popular singer as he celebrates his milestone birthday.

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