Tom Jones recalls astounding moment Elvis Presley sang his own song to him the first time they met

1 February 2021, 16:51 | Updated: 10 January 2024, 13:24

Sir Tom Jones was appearing on The Graham Norton Show when he recalled the incredible moment he first met Elvis Presley
Sir Tom Jones was appearing on The Graham Norton Show when he recalled the incredible moment he first met Elvis Presley. Picture: The Graham Norton Show/BBC

By Giorgina Hamilton

Sir Tom Jones was appearing on The Graham Norton Show when he recalled the incredible moment he first met The King in Hollywood and he sang the Welsh youngster's single, 'With These Hands'.

Sir Tom Jones has rubbed shoulders many of the greatest performers in living memory.

The 80-year-old career has seen him sing with everyone many stars including Ella Fitzgerald, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin and even Carlton from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, but nothing compares to his close friendship with The King himself, Elvis Presley.

The Voice judge appeared on The Graham Norton Show at the weekend (January 29) when he recalled the amazing moment he first met Elvis at the very start of his 50-year career.

See more: QUIZ: How well do you know Tom Jones and his music?

The Welsh crooner, who was on the show to promote his 41st album Surrounded By Time, happily opened up about the first time he met Elvis on the set of a major Hollywood film, no less.

The Voice judge appeared on The Graham Norton Show at the weekend (January 29) when he recalled the amazing moment he first met Elvis at the very start of his 50-year career.
The Voice judge appeared on The Graham Norton Show at the weekend (January 29) when he recalled the amazing moment he first met Elvis at the very start of his 50-year career. Picture: The Graham Norton Show/BBC
Recalling the first time he met Elvis Presley, Sir Tom recalled being astounded when he was told that The King himself wanted to meet with him.
Recalling the first time he met Elvis Presley, Sir Tom recalled being astounded when he was told that The King himself wanted to meet with him. Picture: The Graham Norton Show/BBC

Recalling the first time he met Elvis Presley, Sir Tom recalled being astounded when he was told that The King himself wanted to meet with him.

The year was 1965 and up-and-coming singer Tom Jones had just released his third single, 'With These Hands' when he travelled to Los Angeles for the first time.

See more: What is Sir Tom Jones’ real name? The Voice UK judge makes surprising revelation

“It was wonderful, I was staying in a hotel on Sunset Strip and I had to go to Paramount Studios for work.

"They said to me: 'Elvis Presley is going to be there tomorrow and he wants to meet you'.

“I though ‘Elvis Presley wants to meet me?’ it was unbelievable!" the singer recalls, “So I went there and they said, 'Elvis is filming and once they’ve stopped the filming, you go in'.

The year was 1965 and up-and-coming singer Tom Jones had just released his third single, 'With These Hands' when he travelled to Los Angeles for the first time. Pictured in 1968.
The year was 1965 and up-and-coming singer Tom Jones had just released his third single, 'With These Hands' when he travelled to Los Angeles for the first time. Pictured in 1968. Picture: Getty
"We would all get together at a friend&squot;s house and they would sing songs at the end of the night. Tom liked to sing Elvis&squot; "One Night With You" Pictured: Tom Jones With Elvis And Priscilla Presley in 1968.
"We would all get together at a friend's house and they would sing songs at the end of the night. Tom liked to sing Elvis' "One Night With You" Pictured: Tom Jones With Elvis And Priscilla Presley in 1968. Picture: Getty

"They closed the doors [behind me] and I’m standing there in the back with the ‘Memphis Mafia’, the people that work for him, and Elvis is there in a mock helicopter with a girl.

“They did the scene and I’m there thinking ‘Oh my, it’s Elvis Presley’.

“When they said cut, Elvis looked across and went [Tom Jones gestures a hello] and I was looking around at the fellas with me.

See more: Watch 25-year-old Elvis Presley sing duet with Frank Sinatra in incredible footage from 1960

“They said: ‘Elvis is waving at you, wave back!’ he laughed.

“So he gets out of this helicopter and starts walking towards me. I had a record out at the time, my third single called ‘With These Hands' and Elvis is suddenly walking towards me and he’s singing ‘With these hands, I will cling to you…’

“And I thought ‘My God! If the boys back home could see me now!”

Elvis Presley Sang Tom Jones' Song To Him The First Time They Met | The Graham Norton Show

The story comes after Sir Tom sang the beautiful 1965 hit 'With These Hands' on The Voice on January 16 as his fellow coaches looked on, giving him a roaring standing ovation as the last notes of the song faded away.

Viewers of the show took to social media to give praise for the performance and many said his moving rendition of the song had reduced them to tears.

See more: Tom Jones announces new album and releases vintage video for fantastic new song

“Tom Jones making me cry. What a singer! #TheVoiceUK,” one viewer said.

“Tom Jones's voice is in the finest condition, there is no denial #thevoiceuk #thevoice,” another said.

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