In 1969, against the backdrop of the rock / folk counterculture, protest movements, and social turbulence across America (and beyond), a surprising moment occurred in music-television history: Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (CSNY) appeared on the variety show This Is Tom Jones, performing the song “Long Time Gone” together with host Tom Jones.
The setting: This Is Tom Jones
“This Is Tom Jones” was a British / transatlantic variety show, running from 1969 to 1971 with 65 color episodes. It featured performances by top names of the era — Janis Joplin, The Who, Stevie Wonder, Cher, Bob Hope, The Moody Blues, and many others.
In season two, on October 16, 1969, CSNY was invited as guests alongside Anthony Newley, Peggy Lipton, John Byner, to appear on the show. At that time, CSNY had just recently dazzled audiences at Woodstock and was riding a wave of cultural influence.
On paper, the pairing seems odd: a politically charged folk/rock quartet appearing on a mainstream variety program. At that time, Tom Jones was better known for pop / soul and crossover styles — a very different musical space from CSNY’s more radical ethos.
The song “Long Time Gone” and what it meant
“Long Time Gone” is one of CSNY’s signature songs, written as a reflection on disappointment, political assassinations (especially Robert F. Kennedy’s murder), and the unfulfilled promises of the 1960s. The song carries strong emotional weight and social commentary, rather than being purely entertainment.
When CSNY appeared on Tom Jones’s show, they chose to perform “Long Time Gone,” with Tom Jones singing lead — a bold inversion of expectations, since the song was not originally a pop ballad but an anthem rooted in protest. During the performance, various dynamics emerged: David Crosby looked on with a mix of embarrassment and respect; Stephen Stills unleashed intensity in the climactic parts; Neil Young, though possibly hesitant, delivered his parts with earnestness. Tom Jones himself, initially a bit unsure, adapted quickly and delivered with vigor, surprising observers.
One retrospective comment called this a “historic television moment” — the revolutionary lyrics of “Long Time Gone” brought into a mainstream variety show’s context.
Reaction, consequences, and retrospective judgment
At the time, the decision was polarizing. Some saw it as opening a bridge between radical musical voices and mainstream audiences. Others — especially Neil Young — regarded it as a misstep: it risked diluting the band’s image by associating them with a mass-entertainment platform. According to Young’s manager, he reportedly said, “Tom Jones Show! What possessed you?” and stewed over the decision for years.
Yet not all members felt the same way. Stephen Stills, for instance, expressed enthusiasm: he said he “really digged Tom Jones” and admired his vocal capabilities. Among fans decades later, many comment that Tom Jones “went all in,” “forced CSNY to keep up,” and “delivered more than expected” in that performance.
Interestingly, in early promotional DVDs of This Is Tom Jones, the CSNY episode was included but subsequently removed from final versions due to rights / licensing complications.
From the CSNY group perspective, 1969 was a pivotal year: they had just played Woodstock, launched their identity as a quartet, and prepared to release Déjà Vu (their joint album with Neil Young). That they accepted an invitation to appear on This Is Tom Jones can be seen as a step to bring their music — and its messages — into broader cultural circulation.
Significance and enduring value
That moment when Tom Jones sang “Long Time Gone” with CSNY stands as a symbol of bridging genre divides: mainstream variety entertainment and politically infused folk/rock. It proves that music can transcend typecasting and bring together very different audiences.
It also underscores artistic versatility: Tom Jones — known for ballads and pop-soul — showed he had the vocal strength and character to hold his own even in a rock-folk anthem context.
For modern listeners, the video is a precious artifact — part historical document, part emotional time capsule. Decades on, people still share, discuss, and marvel that Tom Jones and CSNY once took the same stage in that unexpected, daring moment.