Tom Jones Proves His Voice Is Still Anything But Unusual at Ravinia

There are singers who perform the songs they recorded decades ago, and then there is Tom Jones.

At 86, Sir Tom Jones brought more than six decades of music and one of the most recognizable voices in popular music to Ravinia Festival's newly renovated Hunter Pavilion on Friday, September 18. And while the familiar hits were certainly part of the evening, Jones once again showed why he has never been content simply to repeat the past.

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Opening with "I'm Growing Old," followed by Leonard Cohen's "Tower of Song" and Bob Dylan's "Not Dark Yet," Jones immediately established the tone for an evening that was as much about experience and reflection as it was about entertainment. Then the familiar hits began rolling in: "It's Not Unusual," "What's New Pussycat?," "Sexbomb," "You Can Leave Your Hat On" and eventually "Delilah" and Prince's "Kiss."

Jones has certainly earned the right to celebrate his history. He won the Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 1966, and his career has produced more than 100 million record sales. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace in 2006 for his services to music.

His history with some of those songs is remarkable. "It's Not Unusual" was recorded on November 11, 1964, launching Jones toward international stardom. "What's New Pussycat?" became the title song of the 1965 Woody Allen film, while "You Can Leave Your Hat On" later became closely associated with the film 9½ Weeks.

But history only tells part of the story. Jones made these songs his own with a once-in-a-generation voice—still powerful, expressive and unmistakably his.

The newly renovated Hunter Pavilion was an ideal setting. Ravinia invested heavily in improving the venue's acoustics, including a new acoustic shell and state-of-the-art sound system. On Friday night, the results were impressive. Jones' vocals were exceptionally clear, while the band had plenty of room to breathe. Every nuance seemed to carry effortlessly through the pavilion.

Jones also shared stories from his remarkable career, including memories of spending time with Elvis Presley after their shows. He recalled going with Elvis to see Chuck Berry—and Elvis telling him that Berry was the real King of Rock and Roll.

The encore provided a perfect final chapter. After "Green, Green Grass of Home" and "One Hell of a Life," Jones turned up the energy with Sister Rosetta Tharpe's "Strange Things Happening Every Day" before finishing with Chuck Berry's "Johnny B. Goode."

At 86, Tom Jones isn't simply looking back.

He is still singing, still performing and still proving that some voices don't fade—they become even more distinctive with time.

Ravinia also just announced a historic renovation to the Martin Theatre with $38 million funded by the Negaunee Foundation, beginning this October and expected to be completed in July 2028. The upgrades will include improved seating and accessibility, new box seats, upgraded restrooms and mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, while preserving the theater's historic character—including its iconic stained-glass windows. The project marks the fourth renovation of the Martin Theatre, the only remaining original building from Ravinia's 1904 opening.

Check out more upcoming events at Ravinia.

More Photos at Margolin Photography