As he celebrates his 85th birthday, legendary singer Sir Tom Jones has opened up about one of the most emotional moments of his life—the final days he shared with his beloved wife, Melinda “Linda” Trenchard, before her death in 2016.
The couple shared nearly six decades of marriage, having tied the knot in 1957. Speaking in a heartfelt interview on BBC Radio’s Sounds of the 60s with Tony Blackburn, Sir Tom recalled Linda’s powerful parting words during her final days in the hospital after being diagnosed with terminal cancer.
“She said, ‘Look, I gotta leave, but you don’t fall with me. I’m going down, I know, there’s nothing I can do about it, but don’t you do that.’”
Those words, he said, changed everything.
“You’ve Still Got Songs to Sing”
Sir Tom, known for his commanding voice and chart-topping hits like Delilah and It’s Not Unusual, admitted that he almost gave up music entirely after Linda’s death. The grief was almost too much to bear. But it was Linda’s unwavering support, even in her final moments, that pulled him back from the edge.
“She told me, ‘You’ve got to keep going. You’ve got to get on stage. You’ve still got songs to sing—think of me when you do it.’”
How Linda’s Spirit Keeps Him Going
Sir Tom spoke fondly of Linda’s humor and her ability to laugh through life. “She loved jokes, and I used to make her laugh a lot,” he said. “Now, she gives me strength. When she passed away, I thought I was going to crumble.”
He confessed he almost retired for good, saying,
“I didn’t think I could sing anymore. Because when you get too emotional, your voice won’t come out. You just choke.”
Now, that experience shapes the advice he gives to younger singers:
“You take the emotion, and you work it into the song—but don’t get too caught up in it, or you’ll cry, and you won’t be able to sing.”
Celebrating 85 Years of Life and Legacy
Marking his birthday milestone, Sir Tom announced a special treat for fans: the first-time release of his 2017 ‘Live on Soundstage’ concert on his YouTube channel.
“I’m thrilled to be sharing a very special concert performance for the first time.”
He’s also starring in a BBC Arts special titled In My Own Words, where he reflects on his incredible life and career. Recalling memories of his early days, he shared:
“Watching snippets of those past times, places, styles, and struggles brought home how lucky I am… I hope everyone enjoys watching it as much as I did making it.”
After more than 60 years in the music industry, Sir Tom Jones remains one of the most enduring voices in music—still guided by the love and wisdom of the woman who stood beside him through it all.
