PICTURES: Tom Jones goes down a storm in spectacular Lichfield show
Sir Tom Jones OBE gave an emotional performance in Lichfield when he dedicated a song to his late wife live on stage, writes Jessica Labhart.
The much-loved Welsh singer/songwriter took to the stage at the Lichfield Beacon Park last night, wooing the crowds with his repertoire of classic hits such as It's Not Unusual, Kiss, Delilah, Sex Bomb, What's New Pussycat and Green Green Grass Of Home.
The performer, who boasts a career spanning more than five decades, dedicated the new ballad entitled 'Tomorrow Night' to his late wife Lady Melinda Rose Woodward, known as Linda, who sadly passed away from cancer in a Los Angeles hospital on April 10 this year. Speaking on stage at the concert, Sir Tom said: "Ladies and gentleman, whenever I recorded an album I used to take them home and play them to my wife first.
"She would always tell me what her favourite song was.
"In this latest album, Long Lost Suitcase, there's a ballad on there and it goes like this."
An eight-piece band including trumpet and tuba players also joined the superstar to deliver an impressive burst of jazz to classic Mama Told Me Not to Come, with lighting special effects and videography adding to the gravelly vocals of Sir Tom in Didn't it Rain.
Prior to the gig, the concert was praised by local councillors and business owners for bringing a much needed boost to Lichfield's tourist trade, with visitors believed to have spent up to £700,000.
For Sir Tom however, this gig seemed to be much more symbolic.
As the rain held off for his energetic rendition of Raise A Ruckus, the 76-year-old megastar reminded us why he remains such a stalwart of popular music and a true national treasure.
