Tom Jones scoops Music Industry Trust Award

Vintage Welsh crooner Tom Jones has been awarded the prestigious Music Industry Trust Award in recognition of his services to music.

The award was presented to Jones at a charity dinner at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel, where guests among the 1,100 strong audience included countrymen Kelly Jones, Cerys Mathews and Rob Brydon.

Previous recipients include Sir George Martin, Elton John, John Barry and Kylie Minogue.

Director Tim Burton presented the award, saying: “[Sir Tom Jones] is a real inspiration for all artists whether that is music, film or any art form; he is an amazing human being and an amazing artist.”

Elton’s no Ga Ga

In a bizarre logic, Elton John has said he’s to hang up his Tiny Dancing shoes as he feels he can no longer compete with stars like Lady Gaga.


The Rocket Man, 63, has said he will continue with several ‘little side projects’, including his collaboration Scissor Sisters, but announced he would never put out another solo single.


He told GQ magazine: ‘Look, I’m 63. I don’t want to be on VH1 or MTV. I’m not going to compete with JLS or Lady Gaga.


‘I’m at that stage where I don’t think I can write pop music any more. I can’t sit down and do a proper rock song. It was OK when I was 25 or 26, but not any more.


‘I like to do my little side projects like Scissor Sisters and have fun, but I don’t think Elton John will be putting any pop singles out.’