TOM JONES, JUST HELP YOURSELF © by VERNON HOPKINS - THE CANDID MEMOIRS OF VERNON HOPKINS. - SPECIAL EDITION 2014
Vernon insisted on recruiting the then unknown Tom Jones as Lead Singer of the Senators, starting him on the long road to Fame and Fortune. As close as brothers until stardom tore them apart.
“Tom Jones, Just Help Yourself” is the candid, no holds barred, memoirs of the life and times of Vernon and Tom in the 1960´s.
The Bass guitarist, Vernon Hopkins, the founder of the 60's rock group the Senators, which later became the Squires, has written a memoir about his time spent with Tom Jones. It was Vernon who insisted on bringing in Tom as lead singer on the rocky road to fame and super stardom. Vernon became as close as a brother to Tom, until stardom tore them apart.
About the Author
When Vernon persuaded a 21-year-old Tom Jones to join his band – with the promise of a crate of light ale – who would have known history was in the making. ‘I’ve written a book about my time with Tom. There have been many biographies written about his life and times, but no-one was closer to Tom during those formative years than me. Inseparable in many ways, for so long, in the end we couldn’t have been further apart. I got to stand behind the curtain with Tom, and this is my story’. ‘When I was writing the book, it just jogged loose so many memories. I can vividly remember the whole rollercoaster. When we arrived in London we were skint and starving and living in a basement together. The band has been pressing me for years to get our side of the story out, and here it is. There were good times and there were certainly bad times, working with Tom and Gordon was a real education. But I have no regrets. Tom drove the band and the band drove Tom, and the audiences responded and bless them all for their support. It all worked beautifully, it was a beautiful time and a beautiful bunch of boys from the Valleys in South Wales followed their dreams and against all the odds got noticed. Now who could argue with that?
First Published 2012
The Bass guitarist, Vernon Hopkins, the founder of the 60’s rock group the Senators, which later became the Squires, has written a memoir about his time spent with Tom Jones. It was Vernon who insisted on bringing in Tom as lead singer on the rocky road to fame and super stardom. Vernon was born in Rhydyfelin and became as close as a brother to Tom, until stardom tore them apart. Vernon was fired by Gordon Mills in 1969 and has only seen Tom on a handful of occasions since. Tom Jones, Just Help Yourself – is a no holds barred account of their time spent together. The group got caught up in the world of Fleet Street gossip, groupies, sex and drugs. Although the band started out as a tight-knit bunch of mates from Ponty, it quickly became clear that Tom had his own agenda. Tom was the star, driven by a streak of callousness that led him to neglect the other members of the group, his young wife, and everyone who stood in the way of his success.
“An excellent read…colourful, candid, humorous and especially poignant for me, being a valley’s girl born in Pontypridd (that Ponty air was rich with talent in those halcyon days). What a page turner, I couldn’t put the book down. It brought a flood of special memories, both good and not so good times, but never dull, vibrant with unique and wonderful characters (“Those Were The Day’s My Friend”). Thank you for sharing Vernon, Da Iawn (Well done!)!” - IRIS WILLIAMS, OBE
“This is the story that the public were never supposed to read…Brilliantly written by Vernon Hopkins. At last a book of truth about the beginnings of a great period of fame and fortune and a must read for all those that want to know the real story of those bygone days. I remember working as support for Tommy Scott and The Senators when I was lead singer of Peter and the Wolves, and it was an honour to witness their astounding success.” – PETER KARRIE
©VERNON HOPKINS 2014 - SPECIAL
Vernon insisted on recruiting the then unknown Tom Jones as Lead Singer of the Senators, starting him on the long road to Fame and Fortune. As close as brothers until stardom tore them apart.
“Tom Jones, Just Help Yourself” is the candid, no holds barred, memoirs of the life and times of Vernon and Tom in the 1960´s.
The Bass guitarist, Vernon Hopkins, the founder of the 60's rock group the Senators, which later became the Squires, has written a memoir about his time spent with Tom Jones. It was Vernon who insisted on bringing in Tom as lead singer on the rocky road to fame and super stardom. Vernon became as close as a brother to Tom, until stardom tore them apart.
About the Author
When Vernon persuaded a 21-year-old Tom Jones to join his band – with the promise of a crate of light ale – who would have known history was in the making. ‘I’ve written a book about my time with Tom. There have been many biographies written about his life and times, but no-one was closer to Tom during those formative years than me. Inseparable in many ways, for so long, in the end we couldn’t have been further apart. I got to stand behind the curtain with Tom, and this is my story’. ‘When I was writing the book, it just jogged loose so many memories. I can vividly remember the whole rollercoaster. When we arrived in London we were skint and starving and living in a basement together. The band has been pressing me for years to get our side of the story out, and here it is. There were good times and there were certainly bad times, working with Tom and Gordon was a real education. But I have no regrets. Tom drove the band and the band drove Tom, and the audiences responded and bless them all for their support. It all worked beautifully, it was a beautiful time and a beautiful bunch of boys from the Valleys in South Wales followed their dreams and against all the odds got noticed. Now who could argue with that?
First Published 2012
The Bass guitarist, Vernon Hopkins, the founder of the 60’s rock group the Senators, which later became the Squires, has written a memoir about his time spent with Tom Jones. It was Vernon who insisted on bringing in Tom as lead singer on the rocky road to fame and super stardom. Vernon was born in Rhydyfelin and became as close as a brother to Tom, until stardom tore them apart. Vernon was fired by Gordon Mills in 1969 and has only seen Tom on a handful of occasions since. Tom Jones, Just Help Yourself – is a no holds barred account of their time spent together. The group got caught up in the world of Fleet Street gossip, groupies, sex and drugs. Although the band started out as a tight-knit bunch of mates from Ponty, it quickly became clear that Tom had his own agenda. Tom was the star, driven by a streak of callousness that led him to neglect the other members of the group, his young wife, and everyone who stood in the way of his success.
“An excellent read…colourful, candid, humorous and especially poignant for me, being a valley’s girl born in Pontypridd (that Ponty air was rich with talent in those halcyon days). What a page turner, I couldn’t put the book down. It brought a flood of special memories, both good and not so good times, but never dull, vibrant with unique and wonderful characters (“Those Were The Day’s My Friend”). Thank you for sharing Vernon, Da Iawn (Well done!)!” - IRIS WILLIAMS, OBE
“This is the story that the public were never supposed to read…Brilliantly written by Vernon Hopkins. At last a book of truth about the beginnings of a great period of fame and fortune and a must read for all those that want to know the real story of those bygone days. I remember working as support for Tommy Scott and The Senators when I was lead singer of Peter and the Wolves, and it was an honour to witness their astounding success.” – PETER KARRIE
©VERNON HOPKINS 2014 - SPECIAL
