Tom Jones Cites 2 ICU Days After Week-Long Pneumonia Hospitalization

Sir Tom Jones told an audience at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles on Wednesday that he believed he was dying during a week-long hospital stay for pneumonia. The 86-year-old singer addressed the illness directly during his rescheduled concert, sharing the medical ordeal that forced him to pause his current tour.

Jones recalled the moment paramedics arrived at his location, stating that he could not breathe. He explained that he initially thought the symptoms were flu, but doctors at UCLA Medical Center diagnosed pneumonia. He spent seven days in the hospital, including two days in the intensive care unit.

"I thought this was it. You had a wonderful life, Tommy, but it’s over right now," Jones told the crowd. He added that upon discharge, medical staff asked what he wanted to do once recovered. "I have to get back on the stage," he said. "This is where I belong. I can't live without it, believe me. This is true."

The singer had to reschedule his Los Angeles and San Diego shows in late October due to the sudden illness. He had completed 20 shows across the United States prior to the hospitalization. The disruption occurred during his 25-date Come Gather Round tour, which began in September following a summer run in England.

In an online message last month, Jones apologized for the inconvenience caused by the rescheduling. He noted that he had been hit with a bad case of the flu, as he initially perceived the condition. The Los Angeles performance was the first show back on the schedule after his recovery.

During the concert, Jones reflected on his 1969 debut at the Greek Theater. That performance occurred just before "It's Not Unusual" became his first number one hit. He told the audience that the song changed his life. The Welsh singer was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1998 and received a knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace in 2006.