Introduction
In 1970, This Is Tom Jones—a vibrant variety show hosted by Welsh crooner Tom Jones on ATV and aired in the UK and the US—became the backdrop for one of its most electrifying musical moments. On the episode airing around October 30, 1969, Tom Jones welcomed soul legend Wilson Pickett, forging an unforgettable medley that fused genres and worlds.
The medley launched with Pickett’s 1960s R&B classic “Barefootin’”, then transitioned into his own iconic hit “In the Midnight Hour,” and climaxed with a soulful rendition of The Beatles’ “Hey Jude.” The unexpected reprise of such a beloved pop standard through a soul lens produced a high-voltage performance that continues to delight fans even today.
Critics and audiences alike have praised this collaboration as “positively electrifying,” noting how Pickett’s raw, gritty energy perfectly matched and elevated Tom Jones’s dynamic stage presence. One recent commentary observed that “two vocal titans elevated this song into a higher plane… it brings joy and it’s gonna be alright.”
This dynamic duet illustrates This Is Tom Jones’ broader mission: to create thrilling musical intersections by pairing Jones with iconic artists across genres—be it soul, rock, pop, or R&B. Combined with similar pairings with Janis Joplin, Aretha Franklin, and Stevie Wonder, this Wilson Pickett collaboration remains a standout highlight