When Tom Jones was just a teenager in Pontypridd, Wales, he would tell his friends, “I’ll meet Elvis one day.” No one believed him, but fate had other plans. In 1965, after his breakthrough hit *It’s Not Unusual* made him a rising star, Jones was invited to Paramount Studios in Hollywood. There, he received shocking news—Elvis Presley wanted to meet him. As Jones stepped onto the set of *Paradise, Hawaiian Style*, he was stunned to see the King of Rock & Roll walking toward him, singing *With These Hands*, one of Jones’ own songs. That unforgettable moment marked the beginning of a friendship that would last until Elvis’ final days.
Their bond grew stronger in Las Vegas, where both men performed. Elvis, looking to return to live music after years in Hollywood, watched Tom’s show at the Flamingo Hotel in 1968. Sitting ringside with his entourage, including Priscilla, Elvis was mesmerized by Jones’ stage presence. After the show, he embraced Tom backstage, telling him, “You lit a fire in me tonight.” Inspired by what he saw, Elvis called Colonel Tom Parker the next day and demanded to return to the stage—leading to his legendary 1969 comeback in Vegas.
Unlike many in the entertainment business, Tom Jones became one of the few people Elvis truly trusted. As Jerry Schilling, Elvis’ lifelong friend, recalled, “Elvis didn’t hang out with many entertainers, but if he had one real friend in the business, it was Tom Jones.” They vacationed together in Hawaii, spent late nights singing in private suites, and bonded over their shared love of music—whether it was gospel, rock, or ballads. Through all the fame and chaos, their friendship remained unshaken, proving that even legends need someone who truly understands them.