Tom Jones Wants to Die on Stage, Talks Hip-Hop Album
Tom Jones would rather die on stage than retire from music. The 71-year-old's versatility has extended from pop, R&B, and show tunes to country, soul, gospel- and he may be considering hip-hop as his next genre to conquer.
Tom Jones told The Daily Star that he "hates" the idea of not performing, which is why he would rather his life end doing it.
"I hope my life comes to a natural full stop so maybe it'd be easiest if I fell down dead on stage," he said in the interview. "I hate the thought of not being able to sing- I have no idea how I'd fill my time. It'd be terrible if I had to sit around listening to other people's records, thinking: 'I can't do that any more.'"
To that end, Jones speculated that his next album- his 41st, following an album release May 21 of this year- could have a hip-hop flair to it.
"I might make a dance record or work with a hip-hop producer for my next album, you never know, but these two [last] records have felt very real and it'd be nice if they ended up as part of a trilogy," he reflected.
Either way, Sir Tom Jones, who was knighted for "services to music" by the Queen of England, says he won't be slowing down unless his body does first.
"It could happen that I'll just get too tired to tour any more and it'll be time for a long sit-down. But having it forced on me, sat at home with regrets? F--- that," he told the U.K.'s Daily Star.
Jones is also scheduled to perform a duet with fellow U.K. "The Voice" coach Jessie J for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee concert June 4. The event, celebrating 60 years of Elizabeth II's reign, will host many other stars such as Sir Elton John, Sir Paul McCartney, Kylie Minogue, Stevie Wonder, and Jools Holland.