Introduction
On a memorable episode of This Is Tom Jones in December 1969, two seemingly incompatible artists delivered one of television’s most powerful musical moments. Janis Joplin, the gritty, soulful voice of American rock, and Tom Jones, the smooth Welsh balladeer, joined forces in a spontaneous and electrifying duet of “Raise Your Hand.” Originally a 1967 Soul hit by Eddie Floyd, the song had become a signature performance for Joplin, notably at Woodstock earlier that year. When she brought it to Tom Jones’s variety show, the result was riveting. Joplin’s raw intensity and emotional fervor burst through the screen, pushing Jones beyond his launchpad of polish into a space of impassioned performance. Critics and fans saw it as an iconic moment where boundaries between mainstream and counterculture blurred. It elevated Jones’s artistic cachet and widened Joplin’s reach to broader audiences. Recollections from that night highlight a mutual admiration—Joplin reportedly praised Jones’s singing prowess, and Jones rose to match her fiery spirit. For many viewers, this duet remains one of the most unforgettable musical collaborations ever captured on television.