Tom Jones was among those on the Queen of England's annual the New Year list of honors announced Saturday. The 65 year-old Welsh singer joins a group of previous pop-rock knights including Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Cliff Richard, Sir Mick Jagger, Sir Elton John and Sir George Martin, the Beatles producer.
Born Thomas Jones Woodward in Pontypridd, Jones began his singing career at age 3. His string of hits started with "It's Not Unusual" in 1963, and other hits included "What's New Pussycat," "Green Green Grass of Home," "Help Yourself," "She's a Lady," "Never Fall in Love Again," "Sex Bomb" and "Leave Your Hat On."
Also on the list is jazz musician John Dankworth. In addition to playing clarinet and alto saxophone, he served as musical director for the likes of Nat "King" Cole and Ella Fitzgerald, toured with Duke Ellington and played with Charlie Parker.
Dankworth, whose wife, singer Cleo Laine, was made a dame, the female equivalent of knighthood, in 1997, wrote the theme for the television series "The Avengers," along with other television and film work.
The Queen's New Year's list also included Scottish comedian/actor Robbie Coltrane, who was made a member of the Order of the British Empire; Jonathan Ive, designer of the iPod and iMac; playwright Arnold Wesker; designer Vivienne Westwood (who will be accorded the title of Dame).
Copyright 2006 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Born Thomas Jones Woodward in Pontypridd, Jones began his singing career at age 3. His string of hits started with "It's Not Unusual" in 1963, and other hits included "What's New Pussycat," "Green Green Grass of Home," "Help Yourself," "She's a Lady," "Never Fall in Love Again," "Sex Bomb" and "Leave Your Hat On."
Also on the list is jazz musician John Dankworth. In addition to playing clarinet and alto saxophone, he served as musical director for the likes of Nat "King" Cole and Ella Fitzgerald, toured with Duke Ellington and played with Charlie Parker.
Dankworth, whose wife, singer Cleo Laine, was made a dame, the female equivalent of knighthood, in 1997, wrote the theme for the television series "The Avengers," along with other television and film work.
The Queen's New Year's list also included Scottish comedian/actor Robbie Coltrane, who was made a member of the Order of the British Empire; Jonathan Ive, designer of the iPod and iMac; playwright Arnold Wesker; designer Vivienne Westwood (who will be accorded the title of Dame).
Copyright 2006 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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