Ravinia 2026 Issue 6

STAYUNTIL TOMORROW TOM JONES STILL FINDS THE GREEN GRASS OF HOME ON STAGE BY JAMES TURANO TOM JONES BREAKS RULES. For seven decades, he’s been busting and bending conventions, defying ex- pectations and categorizations, crossing musical crazes and genres, interpreting and re-de ning songs, transforming and artistically challenging his style and the accepted musical norms. And he’s done all that and more with a knowing, sly, spicy smile. Not only is Tom Jones a lifelong per- former, he is a celebrated survivor. For most octogenarians, remain- ing relevant in the exaggerated youth culture would be an almost unattainable exercise. Yet, since the mid- s, Jones somehow has continued to maintain his undeniably charismatic stage presence and distinctive, dynamic, baritone sing- ing voice that can li a song and excite people from ages to . For Jones, being vibrant and driven at age … is not unusual. He brings to Ravinia Festival on September his nely aged slew of durable, decades-spanning hits like “It’s Not Unusual” ( ), “What’s New, Pussycat?” ( ), “Green, Green Grass of Home” ( ), “Delilah” ( ), the Paul Anka-penned “She’s a Lady” ( ), “Say You’ll Stay Until Tomorrow” ( ), his hip and breathy collaboration with Art of Noise re-envisioning Prince’s sen- sual hit “Kiss” ( ), and the obvious “Sex Bomb” ( ). Born in the south of Wales in Great Britain, Jones ( omas John Wood- ward), the son of a coal miner, discov- ered his hearty voice and stagecra at an early age, performing at school events, family gatherings, and weddings. When he was years old, Jones was struck with a case of tuberculosis for more than two years. By age he was married to his childhood sweetheart, Linda, and a father. “She knew I wanted to be a singer RAVINIAMAGAZINE • SEPTEMBER 7 – SEPTEMBER 23 , 2026 10