Tom Jones

Tom Jones displays the knighthood he received from Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, outside Buckingham Palace in central London on March 29, 2006.

Tom Jones displays the knighthood he received from Queen Elizabeth II on March 29, 2006. The 65-year-old singer, a coal miner's son from the Welsh town of Pontypridd, said he had met the British monarch "six or seven times, maybe more," adding, "I love seeing the queen and I have always been a royalist. She is lovely and she still is lovely."

Tom Jones, right, is greeted by the state porter as he arrives at Buckingham Palace to receive his knighthood March 29, 2006. The big-voiced belter, who was accompanied by his son, daughter and granddaughter, said receiving the knighthood was "just tremendous. When you first come into show business and you get a hit record, it is the start of something. As time goes on, it just gets better."

Born Thomas Jones Woodward, Jones, the singer, shown here in 1993, began his singing career at age 3. His string of hits started with "It's Not Unusual" in 1965, and includes "What's New, Pussycat?" "Green, Green Grass of Home," "Help Yourself," "She's a Lady," and "Never Fall in Love Again."

Jones, shown here in 1994, had something of a career slump during the '70s and '80s but he came back in 1987 with the hit single "A Boy From Nowhere." After that, he started recording more often with younger musicians.

Jones scored a huge hit in 1988 with the song "Kiss" (written by Prince) which he performed with The Art of Noise. (This photo was taken in 1995.)

Jones still performs in Las Vegas for 12 weeks a year. There, at least, his audiences still throw underwear and room keys onto the stage.

Tom Jones performed on a bill with Paul McCartney, Chrissie Hynde, George Michael, Des'ree, Elvis Costello, Eddie Izzard and Sinead O'Connor during a tribute concert to Paul's late wife, Linda, April 10, 1999, at the Royal Albert Hall, London.

In 2000, Jones had a No. 1 album in the United Kingdom with "Reload," an album of duets with contemporary artists.

Jones married Melinda Trenchard in 1956 and had a son, Mark, at the age of 16. Mark now serves as his father's manager.

"Mr. Jones," the album he released in 2002, was produced by Wyclef Jean.

Jones, who continues to tour and record, is releasing a dance track called "Stoned in Love" in late April 2006.