Bored at work again, so started reading the papers again - much more interesting than TV

From the DTs I bring you - the Welsh Wonder of Las Vegas

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/m...-unearthed.html

Tom Jones at the job centre: singer's employment record unearthed

By Anita Singh, Showbusiness Editor

Published: 6:05PM GMT 08 Mar 2010

He has sold 100 million records and earned a place in British music history.

To the staff of the Pontypridd job centre, however, the young Tom Jones was just another layabout who should get himself a proper job.

Newly unearthed records from the singer's employment office in South Wales offer a fascinating glimpse into his early years.

Exasperated officials noted that Jones - or Thomas John Woodward, as he was then known - had a distinct "non enthusiasm" for finding work, preferring to concentrate his efforts on stardom.

One sarcastic message suggests officials find Jones a job "which wouldn't dirty his fingernails". Another says, with more than a hint of mockery: "He has been talking about 'going professional' since April but he is still signing the UR [unemployment register] and not autograph books."

One note from December 1963, when Jones was aged 23, read: "He does not want shift work but I believe the reason for his not liking shifts is because he is a member of a vocal group which is supposedly an amateur affair.

"From the number of adverts one sees in the local press, however, it seems that this group has a good thing going... from the way he is able to dress, it seems that Mr Woodward's little hobby is highly lucrative and this would also account for his non enthusiasm in securing employment.

"Consider and submit as soon as possible to anything which wouldn't dirty his fingernails! Nothing on offer at present..."

An entry dated March 1964 stated: "No change in employment position but his vocal group is contemplating turning professional within next month or so..."

A month later, the records read: "His group has still not turned professional but they are in close contact with Decca Records and are awaiting notification as to when they will record their next record."

The final entry, written in July 1964, said: "Claimant showed me a letter from Decca Studios confirming a recording session had been arranged.

"He has been talking about 'going professional' since April but he is still signing the UR [unemployment register] and not autograph books."

Seven months later, Jones released his first single, It's Not Unusual. It went straight to number one, and the rest is history.

The records, written on six buff-coloured cards and spanning the period 1961-1964, were found in a skip several years ago. They will be auctioned by Mullock's in Ludlow, Shropshire, on April 15.

They described Jones as "physically fit, tall [and] well built" despite a brush with tuberculosis aged 12, which left him housebound for two years. The notes also make reference to his arrest in 1961 on a charge of breaking and entering.

Richard Westwood-Brookes of Mullock's said: "These cards are a wonderful look at the beginning of a glittering career, when Tom Jones was trying to make a living from his singing. There are some quite acerbic and sarcastic remarks made by the civil servants about him.

"The records set quite a scene, with Tom Jones in his tight trousers and smart clothes on one side of the desk and the civil servant on the other."

From your subtitle, I thought you had found a photo of me.

Tom was in Auckland a couple of weeks ago....but he's old enough to be my dad's older brother.

tom jones. hmmm. nahh, he was never my type.

My absolute favorite gorgeous guy as a kid.

Ok, and this is a man who just as gorgeous older as he was younger.

I agree with you there, sbk. Paul Newman was also as fine a man and husband as he was an actor. His smile was contageous. I really liked one of his later movies... "Message in a bottle". He had too many good movies to mention them all.

It was Tom Jones unique, strong, masculine voice that made him a star. The sexy part was just an add on... but he was a bit of a one trick pony.

Indeed. I am not into one trick ponies.

Especially after your date with the married Mel Gibson!!!

Especially after your date with the married Mel Gibson!!!

Was that on the Wednesday when he was still a lineman?

Indeed. I am not into one trick ponies.

Acerbic, just pure acerbic

hey...Paul Newman in The Road to Perdition was his best performance since Cool Hand Luke...blew Tom Hanks right offa the screen...Hud was his best, whadda movie, I've carried a torch for Patricia Neal ever since...the guy that played his younger brother, Brandon DeWilde, was the little boy in Shane; 'come back, Shane...', oh, boo hoo...

(how come there ain't no black prisoners onna southern road gang in Cool Hand Luke? the magic of Hollywood?)

'yew a good ol' boy, Luke!...'

Indeed. I am not into one trick ponies.

Acerbic, just pure acerbic

OK, how many tricks then.

No bragging either........

hey...Paul Newman in The Road to Perdition was his best performance since Cool Hand Luke...blew Tom Hanks right offa the screen...Hud was his best, whadda movie, I've carried a torch for Patricia Neal ever since...the guy that played his younger brother, Brandon DeWilde, was the little boy in Shane; 'come back, Shane...', oh, boo hoo...

(how come there ain't no black prisoners onna southern road gang in Cool Hand Luke? the magic of Hollywood?)

'yew a good ol' boy, Luke!...'

As I may be a little older than some of you, the lack of black road gang in the movie would have been correct as the two groups were segregated during the years of depicted. Drinking fountains, heads, movies, schools etc were also included in this separation. My children are amazed that I can give them first hand experience when the study this time in history, guess they think I am too old to remember (senile more than likely)

Sorry, i find Tom Jones as sexy as a mop But, i think good on him that hes still going strong! Paul Newman doesnt do it for me either, but of course he is a great looking man. I like "edger" looking guys. Clean cut isnt something that appeals. No idea why!

Keanu?

I must admit to having a soft spot for Tom's music. Having listened to it for most of my life. Blame the parents.

What I find wierd is the fact that his wife for about 60 years has become a recluse and seldom leaves the house.. whilst he is walzting from Las Vegas to Paris to London to whereever.

But not as strange as Cliff Richard - who is really strange.

Keanu?

I must admit to having a soft spot for Tom's music. Having listened to it for most of my life. Blame the parents.

What I find wierd is the fact that his wife for about 60 years has become a recluse and seldom leaves the house.. whilst he is walzting from Las Vegas to Paris to London to whereever.

But not as strange as Cliff Richard - who is really strange.

Strange as in queer?

Well, i wasn't going to say that.

I read BIZARREEEEE supposed comments about Cliff Richard back in his youth. No idea how much of it was true, but yeh, he did come over as a tad odd..

ANyway..hows about a young Elvis? Can anyone deny that man was SMOLDERING! I dont think there has been anyone like him since.

Sorry, i find Tom Jones as sexy as a mop But, i think good on him that hes still going strong! Paul Newman doesnt do it for me either, but of course he is a great looking man. I like "edger" looking guys. Clean cut isnt something that appeals. No idea why!

So, I wuz right... yoh DO like dah bad boyz!

Yes, the young Elvis WAS hot. I remember those days well and all the gals who just about wet themselves watching and listening to him.

I was too straight to be a bad boy and suffered because of it.

It took me too long to find out the reason.

I read BIZARREEEEE supposed comments about Cliff Richard back in his youth. No idea how much of it was true, but yeh, he did come over as a tad odd..

ANyway..hows about a young Elvis? Can anyone deny that man was SMOLDERING! I dont think there has been anyone like him since.

Cliff Richard - I used to live in a small apartment over the 2Is in Old Compton Street when all the future stars were working there. Although the Shadows were friendly enough CR was always out on his own. Could never mix with the lads. Don't know that he was actually gay, more that he was not interested in other people. The girl in who's flat I was living could usually smell out straight from gay in a blink, but never had an idea about Cliff.

Elvis - yes, nothing like him, although many have tried.