Tom Jones cancels rest of Asian tour

TOM JONES at Naia on Saturday night Facebook

After canceling his April 2 show at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, music legend Tom Jones also called off the rest of his scheduled Asian tour this month for the same reason: “serious illness in his immediate family.”

According to the latest statement from Jones’ camp, the 75-year-old singer has also canceled his stops in other Asian cities, including Bangkok, Hong Kong, Seoul, Tokyo, Osaka and Abu Dhabi.

“He (Jones) extends his deepest apologies to both the organizers and the fans, whom he is most sad to disappoint. There are no further details at this time,” read the first statement issued by Jones’ management, only less than two hours before the show’s scheduled 8 p.m. start.

The news was confirmed to the Inquirer by promoter Renen de Guia of Ovation Productions through a text message.

De Guia, who was also behind Jones’ canceled 2010 show, said on a Facebook post that he has been getting messages from friends, asking what was the “real story” behind the entire incident. He, however, clarified that the statement forwarded to his company by Jones’ camp “is what it is.”

A considerable number of people—most of whom the now titos and titas who grew up with Jones’ pop rock music in the 1960s—were already at or near the venue, when the cancellation was announced. And many hoped against hope that the news was merely a belated April Fools’ prank.

“Someone in the crowd quipped,” let’s not complain—it’s April Fools’ Day!” related concertgoer and Facebook user Wem Borlagdan, who was in a “long queue” with other people “holding the pricey tickets,” when they were informed about the last-minute cancellation.

Some were already seated inside the venue; others arrived to the sight of guards already removing queuing stanchions at the entrances. But despite the disappointment, some were able to make light of the situation: They would be going home “Tom Jones”—a slang for hungry—they jested.

The joke was ripe for the picking.

“It’s not unusual,” netizens swiftly jested. After all, it was not the first time such a thing happened: In 2010, he likewise bailed out of a Manila gig.

The previous instance, Jones cited laryngitis. This time, the unexpected cancellation was prompted by a sick family member—reportedly his wife, Linda.

Jones appeared to have left the country that same night, based on a Facebook photo posted by GMA 7 executive Marivin Arayata, who bumped into the music legend and had a photo taken with him, at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2.

Meanwhile, the refunding of tickets started yesterday at the TicketNet office at Araneta Coliseum. Those who purchased tickets online will automatically get refunds via the credit cards used (call 9155555).