Tom Jones Tells Greek Theatre Crowd He Feared He’d Die Before Hospitalization for Pneumonia

Tom Jones told a sold-out crowd at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles on Wednesday night that he feared he was going to die after being rushed to the hospital with pneumonia just days earlier.

The 86-year-old singer, known for hits including “What’s New Pussy Cat” and “It’s Not Unusual,” said what began as what he thought was the flu turned serious quickly. “And then they had to get the paramedics in, and I was like I can’t breathe,” Jones told the audience.

He said he was taken to UCLA Medical Center, where he spent two days in intensive care. “I thought this was it, you had a wonderful life Tommy but it’s over now,” Jones said, describing his state of mind at the time.

“UCLA did a wonderful job, so I’m here,” he added.

After a week in the hospital, Jones said doctors asked him what he wanted to do next. His answer: get back on stage. “I have to get back on the stage, that’s where I belong,” he said, drawing a loud response from the crowd.

Jones went on to perform at the Greek Theater, a venue he first played in 1969, opening with his breakout number one hit “It’s Not Unusual.” “This song really changed my life,” he told the audience.

The Los Angeles show had originally been scheduled for October 26 but was pushed back to Wednesday night. In a post explaining the delay, Jones wrote: “I’ve had a great time these last few weeks, completing 20 shows and singing for wonderful audiences across the USA, but unexpectedly I’ve been hit with a bad case of the flu.”

Despite the recent health scare, Jones performed a full set of his greatest hits for the sold-out Los Angeles crowd, including “Sex Bomb,” “She’s a Lady” and “Delilah.”

The concert is part of Jones’ ongoing “Come Gather Round” tour, which launched its North American leg on September 18 in Highland Park, Illinois, following the tour’s start in England in June. Jones is scheduled to perform at Yaamava Resort and Casino in Highland, California, on Friday.

Jones was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace in 2006.