‘It’s Not Unusual’
A Reason To Smile
Back in 1965, an unknown Welsh pub singer appeared on American television for the first time. His name was Tom Jones, and he’d been given a shot on “The Ed Sullivan Show.” The show was a Sunday night staple and a launching pad for many a career back then, including the Beatles and Elvis Presley. The song that launched Jones’ career was “It’s Not Unusual.” It wasn’t long before he was a star and many of his songs became worldwide hits. That first appearance thankfully has been preserved, all two minutes of it.
So here we are, nearly 60 years later, and Jones is embarking on a summer concert tour. Jones, who has sold more than 100 million albums and is now Sir Tom, after being knighted by Queen Elizabeth, just turned 84 years old. He’s opening his European tour tonight in Dublin. Jones was a big-time heartthrob back in the day with his big voice and gyrating hips. His hips have undergone replacement, but his voice is still there.
So if you feel like singing, dancing, or gyrating along, please do! This song is a good reason to smile.
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Stay Steady,
Dan
What a voice! He looked pretty good too. I watched that performance back in 1965 as well. Thx, Dan. PS - I just watched the Doc on Netflix called Rather. It was kind of odd remembering where I was and what I was doing when you broke all those stories on my TV. Thanks for your work over the years and now.
Dan, you have a knack of bringing a moment of sanity and lightheartedness when we need to be reminded that life wasn’t always like this and doesn’t have to be this way. To be sure, there were many people who did not appreciate Tom Jones’ gyrating hips but they sat through it the same as I sat through Totie Fields and the guy with the spinning plates or dancing dogs. We learned patience while waiting for our anticipated favorites as in the Beatles or the Bolshoi Ballet and we learned, whether we wanted to or not, that each of us has worldview that doesn’t have to be the same as yours. We learned that there were some things we weren’t aware we could like and some things we’d just assume get a snack than watch - which was all okay. We didn’t have to be the same. There was not just one way to be an American. I don’t know if we can ever get back to that place but reminiscing about it adds an important moment of sanity and hope to my daily existence. I was too young to appreciate Tom Jones at the time, and really the Beatles too, but they are all part of my American Experience. The Ed Sullivan Show was a great example of what America culture can be. Thank you.