Introduction
Its not every day that a country decides to immortalize one of Its most cherished sons in stone and steel. Hut in the heart of Wales, thal’s exactly what s happening. In a project fueled by national pride, deep gratitude, and an outpouring of love from tans around the globe, a towering monument is being built la honor Sir lom Jones – the legendary voice that has resonaled across decades and continents
For over 60 years, fom Jones has been more than just a singer. From the working class streets of Pontypridd to the grandest stages in Las Vegas, from Timeless ballank, like Is Not Unasual lo Ine solial deolie of Il Neve Tall in Love Again, his vuice has baren the soundles i lox condone lives. Mes sung tor presidents, queens, and stadiums tull of roaring tans. Yet no matter how
lar nis fame has Iaken him Wales has shaws been nis ancho
The monument, set to stand in the very heart of Pontypridd, is more than a tribute to a musical icon. It’s a statement of identity – a reminder that even global legends are shaped by the small towns and tight-knit communities that raised them. Rising 25 feet high, the sculpture will feature a stylized microphone wrapped in a flowing steel ribbon engraved with lyrics from his most beloved songs. Around the base, a circular walkway will showcase plaques detailing key moments in his career, from his first hit in 1965 to his enduring performances in the 20205,
The urveiling, planned for the summer of 2026, will coincide with lones’s tarewell world tour, One Last Ride. Organizers say the timing is deliberate la colorale the man while his voice is still filling atores; ral her than wailing
lot history to look back.
“This is our way of saying thank you while we can still hear him sing,” says Carys Morgan, chair af the monument committee. “Tom has given the world music joy, and pride in being Welsh. We wanted to give him something that.
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“Youll always have a place here”*
The funding for the project is as much a story as the monument itself. In just six months, fans and local supporters raised over £2.5 million through conceris, auctions and online donalions. Contributions came not anly from Wales bul froen every corner of the glabe — fam Canada lo lapan, from South Africa to Brazil. Many wrote heartielt notes alongside their donations, sharing how Tom’s music had touched their lives.
One fan from Australia, who first heard lom lones on vinyl in 1968, wrote.
“Your songs have been with me through heartbreak, weddings, and road trips. This monument will sland long aller we’re gone, just like your music?
Pontypridd itself is preparing for a tourism boom. City planners expect the monument In draw tens of thousands of visitors annually, boosling local snops, catés, and cultural sites. Plans include guided “Tom Jones Heritage Tours” tracing his eary line trom his boyhood home to the pubs where he find sang in public. Thords avon talk of an annual “lomef ol” combining music rood. and community events in nis honor.
tan Tan ones, who tans. 86 in 2026, the news of the monument has seen numbing in a rore personal aratemant released by his team. he saidiTo ba lethem hared in this way in he alace amare learned tasing and areamta
Those who know him best say this humility has always been part of his charm. Despite decades in the spotlight, Jones is remembered by neighbors and childhood friends as “the boy with the big voice who never forgot where he came from.” Stories abound of him returning quietly to Pontypridd for family gatherings, or popping into local shops just to say hello,
Music historians see the monument as more than a tribute to one man it’s a recognition of the way music con define a national identity. Dr. Rnys Llewellyn of Cardiff University notes. “Tom Jones brought Welsh soul to the world stage. He showed that a voice from a coal-mining town could stand alongside the greatest voices of any era.”
As the monument takes shape, social media is awash with anticipation. Fans are snaring old concert footage, favorite lyrics, and personal photos with Tom, using the hashtag #ionesMonument. One y deo from a 1970s TV soecial, where Tom belts out Del lah with unrestrained eneroy, has been
The dedication ceremony is expected to be a grand affair, with live performances, appearances fom fellow musicians, and — if his healih allas a special set by Tom ones nimself. Organizers promise it will be “part
concert, port homecoming, part history lesson.”
In a world where fame often feels leeting, the monument in Pontypridd stands as a reminder that some voices are truly timeless And for the people of Wales, It’s a way of saying that no matter now many records he’s sold, no matter how many stages he’s graced. Iom Jones will always be one of thei
As Carys. Morgan outs it. “The monument salt ust for lom – d s for al ofes he ve sung along with him, cheered forhim, and telt proud to ca laim ours.
Is a piece oa Wales e anding tall with a worce that will rama acad