Crooner Tom Jones missed out on recording some of the greatest soul songs ever when he decided against joining the Motown record label.

Legendary songwriting team HOLLAND, DOZIER, HOLLAND were thrilled when they heard the Welsh crooner was in negotiations to become the label's first white act, they wrote hits like MY GIRL and REACH OUT I'LL BE THERE especially for him.

But when Jones turned down the chance of joining Motown acts like SMOKEY ROBINSON, Stevie Wonder and The Supremes, the songs went to the FOUR TOPS.

Jones says, "We were about to do (the deal), and then I recorded GREEN, GREEN GRASS OF HOME. That was a giant hit, and so I ended up staying with DECCA.

"Later I found out that all those great songs were written for me. Holland, Dozier, Holland thought I was coming to the label, and when I didn't arrive, they gave those songs to LEVI STUBBS instead."

05/01/2004 18:18