Story and Photos by Pat Krause
The legendary Tom Jones brought down the house at THE SHOW inside the Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa on Friday night, May 23rd, performing to a sold-out audience that simply couldn’t get enough. At 84 years young—with his 85th birthday just around the corner on June 7th—Jones didn’t just step on stage; he owned it.
From the moment he opened the show with a ballad about aging, it was clear the Welsh icon still has the magic. While it might not have been my choice for an opener, it was undeniably Tom’s. And frankly, he made it work. His voice? As rich and commanding as ever—soaring through the high notes, rumbling through the lows. In some moments, it seemed even stronger than years past.
After warming up the crowd, Jones grinned and shared that he’d kick things off properly with a chart-topper from 1964. Cue the horns—“It’s Not Unusual” rang out, fresh and reimagined with a new ending that delighted long-time fans. When he invited the crowd to sing along, they did so with gusto—an early sign of the energy that would carry the night.
“What's New Pussycat?” followed, and if you think anyone stayed quiet during the “Whoooaaooaa” chorus, think again. The crowd took the cue and turned up the volume, belting it back at him like it was 1965 all over again.
Jones paused mid-show to share a gem of a story—years ago, a friend phoned him about a small indie film, asking if he’d lend his voice to a track. Always game, he said yes. That little film? A hit. The song? Just another notch in his belt of timeless classics.
Then came the tidal wave: “Delilah,” “Green Green Grass of Home,” “If I Only Knew”—and many more. Fans rose to their feet, clapping, swaying, and roaring with every number. The man may have been knighted, but on this night, he was rock royalty.
Sir Tom Jones reminded the Coachella Valley why he's still one of the greatest performers alive—six decades in, and he’s still got the fire. And with more rock legends headed to THE SHOW in June, that stage isn’t cooling down anytime soon.
Pat Krause
Comments