In 1970, the name Tom Jones was synonymous with power, elegance, and classic masculinity. Audiences expected a commanding voice, dramatic ballads, and a performer who could dominate a stage without moving much at all. That image had been carefully built throughout the late 1960s — and it worked.
That’s why what happened on This Is Tom Jones in 1970 caught so many viewers off guard.
The show itself was one of the most prestigious music television programs of its era. It wasn’t just a performance slot; it was a platform that reflected Tom Jones’ complete control over his artistic identity. When audiences tuned in, they believed they knew exactly what they were about to see.
Instead, Tom Jones launched into “Do The Funky Chicken”, a song strongly associated with James Brown and the explosive funk culture of the time. There were no sweeping ballads, no dramatic pauses. What followed was rhythm, movement, playful choreography, and an unmistakable sense of fun.
At the time, this was a risky choice. In 1970, genre boundaries mattered. Funk was deeply rooted in African American musical expression, and many artists who tried to cross into that space were criticized for imitation or misunderstanding the culture. For a white, European-born singer known for romantic pop, this could easily have gone wrong.
But Tom Jones didn’t try to become James Brown. He stayed unmistakably himself. His voice remained bold and unmistakable, his presence confident, yet he allowed the groove to guide him. The performance felt less like imitation and more like appreciation — a celebration of rhythm rather than a claim of ownership.
The studio audience reacted with surprise and delight. Some laughed, some clapped along, and many simply stared in disbelief at a side of Tom Jones they had never seen before. Viewers at home were left wondering: was this a joke, a statement, or a hint of reinvention?
In retrospect, “Do The Funky Chicken” was not a turning point that changed Tom Jones’ career direction. He didn’t abandon ballads or reinvent himself as a funk artist. Instead, the moment served a different purpose: it revealed his confidence, adaptability, and willingness to step outside his own legend.
Few established stars at the height of their fame were willing to loosen their grip on image the way Tom Jones did. There was no controversy, no grand explanation — just a joyful, unexpected performance that reminded audiences that even icons could have fun.
Today, watching that performance offers more than nostalgia. It captures the spirit of the early 1970s, a time when musical boundaries were softening and artists dared to explore beyond their expected roles. Tom Jones didn’t change who he was that night — he simply showed the world that he was more than one thing.