Jack’s still on song
01/02/2005
Jack Jones’ voice is a little husky when I speak to him at his California home. But as it’s 8.00 am his time, it’s hardly surprising.
He’s also had a broken night after his 8.30 am “interview” managed to get his times mixed up - and called him in the early hours. “Are you the guy who called me in the night?” he asks. It takes him a little time before he believes me... but then we‘re up and running.
Jack’s touring the UK this Spring to - in all probability - packed houses. It’s interesting that, for someone who has never had great single successes here, he has a massive fan base. “It’s the albums,” he says. “They always sell well there. After the US the UK does the best for me.” It probably helps that he made such regular appearances on our TVs in the late 60s and 70s too, his suave good looks topped by those flowing blond locks have probably stayed ingrained in many ladies’ memory banks!
Today his hair is silver, but the smooth voice continues to sell records in numbers - he has now released some 50 albums, and tells me his first plans on his return to the US are to record another. What does please him is the return to fashion of the music that made his name. “It’s really big there now,” he says, “and here too. There are some great artists coming through and it really helps to introduce me to a younger audience.”
Once again it’s cool to be seen in a DJ, as Robbie Williams, Rod Stewart, Westlife et al have proved, along with fresh talent such as Jamie Cullum. “I take it as a compliment that they’re singing the old classics,” he says. The man who Sinatra declared to be his “heir” cites HIS big influences as Ol’ Blue Eyes himself, as well as the other greats such as Sammy Davis Junior and Tony Bennett. Of course, his future as a star was, in part, determined by being born to such a famous father.
Alan Jones - who also mixed acting with singing - not only passed down the vocalist gene to his son, but also to Jack’s 14-year old daughter with his fifth wife; the youngster is also starting to draw attention for her way with a song. Now in his mid 60s, one project that Jack has been thinking about for some time is starting to come to fruition: his memoirs. “It’s a long term project,” he says,”but I’m getting there.”
So what can we expect from the concerts? He promises they’ll bring together songs about love - in all its many aspects.” And no plans to retire or even slow down? “Why? Tony Bennett’s still out there. However, I do try and strike a good work/life balance. I’ve got a young daughter I like to spend time with.” His longevity as a singer is also explained by his lifestyle - he doesn’t smoke and drinks only little. In fact he’s even considering going back to Broadway - hard work at any age.
“But first there’s the UK,” he says. “I’m really looking forward to it - I have some wonderful memories of performing there. The best was singing at the Glasgow Jazz Festival. It was raining, but everyone was there, listening to me under their umbrellas - that was really quite something.” The man himself is still quite something too, as his audiences will be finding out over the next few weeks.