Local Heroes

Pontypridd, an ex-mining town in the valleys of South Wales is famous for many things: the great rugby team, Evan and James James, lyricist and composer respectively of ‘Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau’ (Land of My Fathers) – the Welsh national anthem, rock band The Lost Prophets,  and also for being my home town. 

However, its second most famous son is Tom Jones – who, on the weekend, performed a one-off gig in Ynysangharad Park in front of 20,000 people.  The open-air concert also celebrated his 65th birthday and was seen as the singers ‘home-coming’ (his last concert in Ponty was on 30 June, 1964, at the White Hart pub with Tommy Scott and the Senators).

I was back home for the weekend and there were two opinions on the streets of Ponty relating to this event:

- Tom is finally ‘giving back’ to the town by holding this concert;
- The £37 price-tag on the tickets are ridiculous and only serves to line his pockets further;

I’ve seen ‘The Voice’ twice in concert – he’s an amazing performer and a couple of friends who attended the concert gave the following opinions:

"As far as I was concerned I was with local people being entertained by a local boy.  There was a great sense of community all around."

"Good old fashion Las Vegas entertainment – without the girls and the glamour – pure Tom." 

"It was a once in a lifetime event – people were talking about it being his goodbye – other people felt he could have, giving that money back to Ponty but I was willing to pay for the privilege to be there – the boy done good!"

Maybe he should’ve made some sort of financial contribution back to his hometown.  For what its worth, Tom Jones would have been a star wherever he hailed from.  Then again maybe I’m just jealous to know when I’m 65 there won’t be no ‘homecoming’ for me…

Concert promotional website.
Related link – Vancouver declares Tom Jones Day.
Related link -  Home town triumph for Tom Jones.