{{short description|Welsh musician (born 1974)}} {{other people}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}} {{Use British English|date=January 2013}} {{Infobox person | name = Kelly Jones | image = Nova2013 Stereophonics Kelly Jones 0002.jpg | caption = Jones in 2013 | birth_name = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1974|6|3|df=y}} | birth_place = Cwmaman, Wales | occupation = {{flat list| *Singer-songwriter *guitarist }} | years_active = 1992–present | spouse = {{marriage|Jakki Healy|2013}} | partner = Rebecca Walters (2003–2007) | children = 4 | module = {{Infobox musical artist | embed = yes | instrument = {{flat list| *Vocals *guitar *piano }} | genre = {{flat list| *Rock *post-Britpop *soul }} | label = Stylus Records | current_member_of = {{hlist|Stereophonics|Far from Saints}} | website = [http://www.stereophonics.com stereophonics.com] }} }}
'''Kelly Jones''' (born 3 June 1974) is a Welsh musician and a founding member, lead singer, and guitarist of the rock band Stereophonics.
==Early life and debut== Kelly Jones was born the youngest of three boys to Beryl and Arwyn Jones in the small Welsh former mining village of Cwmaman, Mid Glamorgan, spending his childhood with them and his two older brothers, Kevin and Lee.
Both of his parents worked in factories. His father coached youth football and pursued his own singing career. The name of Arwyn's backing band, Oscar and the Kingfishers, earned him the nickname 'Oscar' among friends and family. He went on to secure a record deal with Polydor, who renamed him 'Arwyn Davidson' due to the sheer number of Joneses in the music business at the time. Despite making multiple recordings, sharing the Hollies' manager and supporting slots with the likes of Roy Orbison, Arwyn had minimal mainstream success and only released a few singles (including a cover of the Graham Nash song "Simple Man").<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.45cat.com/artist/arwyn-davidson|title=Arwyn Davidson Discography – All Countries|work=45cat.com}}</ref>
During Jones' youth his uncle, a boxing referee, got him interested in the sport, and he later competed at a high level in South Wales. Following this Jones moved onto football, where he played for his county. Jones grew up in the village of Cwmaman, where he became friends with neighbours, Stuart Cable and Richard Jones (no relation to Kelly), with whom he formed, in 1992, one of a string of covers bands.
Jones' talent for writing was apparent in his youth. He studied film at college and considered becoming a scriptwriter – attracting interest from the BBC for his work – before focusing on music.<ref>{{cite web | last = Cat | first = Researcher | author2 = Nick Fel | title = Stereophonics – The Band | publisher = BBC | date = 2001-08-16 | url = https://www.h2g2.com/entry/A617113 | access-date = 2009-01-16 | archive-date = 10 January 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210110234513/https://h2g2.com/plain/A617113 | url-status = live }}</ref> As his band progressed from covers to performing original material, Jones brought his gift for narrative to his lyrics. He also flirted with the idea of a career in boxing, and was a successful fighter at junior levels.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/showbiz-and-lifestyle/news/2008/10/26/kelly-i-could-have-been-a-boxer-or-a-jailbird-91466-22117734/ | title=Kelly Jones: I could have been a boxer... or a jailbird! | publisher=Walesonline | access-date=15 May 2011}}</ref>
There is a strong autobiographical thread to Jones' writing on Stereophonics' 1997 debut album, ''Word Gets Around'', including an account of his teenage years working on a market stall, "More Life in a Tramps Vest".
==Career== thumb|right|Kelly Jones and the Stereophonics September 2007
In 1996, after several years on the south Wales live circuit, Stereophonics were the first band to be signed to Richard Branson's new Virgin Records label V2. Their debut EP ''Looks Like Chaplin'' was not pressed in enough numbers to qualify for the charts, and their next single ''Local Boy in the Photograph'' peaked one place shy of the UK top 50. However, their debut LP ''Word Gets Around'', helped by a busy touring schedule that included a support slot on fellow Welsh band Manic Street Preachers' 1996–97 tour, peaked at number 6 on the UK Albums Chart.
In January 2005, Kelly Jones performed a solo set at the Tsunami Relief Cardiff charity concert at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5yve1zzxl1o|title=Tsunami Relief Cardiff: How 'Live Aid II' was pulled off in weeks|date=21 January 2025|website=BBC News}}</ref>
=== Other projects === In 2007, Jones released his first solo album, ''Only the Names Have Been Changed'', as a limited edition, which managed to reach number 1 on the iTunes download chart.{{where?|date=June 2023}} He explained: "We were recording the sixth Stereophonics album last year and in-between takes I started doing these songs off the cuff. Three or four tracks in, I realised that this could actually be something [...] strange how it's always little things that makes big things happen." This created speculation that Jones would leave Stereophonics to pursue his solo career; however, he denied this.<ref>{{cite web | last = Foley | first = Jack | title = Kelly Jones announces solo dates | publisher = IndieLondon | year = 2007 | url = http://www.indielondon.co.uk/Music-Review/kelly-jones-announces-solo-dates | access-date = 2009-01-16}} </ref>
In 2023, under the name Far from Saints, Jones together with Patty Lynn and Dwight Baker of the American band the Wind and the Wave (who had been tourmates with Stereophonics), released their self-titled debut album.
== Influences and musical style == Jones is influenced by musicians such as Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Otis Redding, Stevie Wonder, Led Zeppelin, AC/DC and the Sex Pistols.<ref name="Independent">{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/one-minute-with-kelly-jones-stereophonics-1052183.html|title=One Minute With... Kelly Jones, Stereophonics|date=5 December 2008|newspaper=The Independent|access-date=24 February 2009|location=London|first=Charlotte|last=Cripps|archive-date=10 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210110234549/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/one-minute-with-kelly-jones-stereophonics-1052183.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He is noted for his raspy voice, which has been described as "whiskey"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/reviews/events/13185/Stereophonics-The-Forum-Melbourne-040508.htm|title=Stereophonics @ The Forum, Melbourne (04/05/08)|date=6 May 2008|work=FasterLouder|access-date=24 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005123118/http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/reviews/events/13185/Stereophonics-The-Forum-Melbourne-040508.htm|archive-date=5 October 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> and has drawn criticism as well as acclaim.<ref name="critics"/>
[[File:Kelly Jones Stereophonics 3.jpg|thumb|right|Jones playing his Gibson Les Paul Goldtop in 2007.]]
== Controversy == Jones has had a troubled relationship with the national tabloid press and they have often criticised him, his contribution to music, and his vocal abilities.<ref name="critics">{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/3668842/Stereophonics-The-critics-hate-us---so-what.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091109140016/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/3668842/Stereophonics-The-critics-hate-us---so-what.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=9 November 2009|title=Stereophonics: The critics hate us – so what?|author=Neil McCormick|date=27 October 2007|work=Telegraph.co.uk}}</ref> Jones has generated headlines several times by criticising fellow Britpop and post-Britpop musical artists, most notably Radiohead frontman and solo artist Thom Yorke. Jones criticised Yorke's attitude in a 2002 interview due to what he felt was complaining about touring on Radiohead's 1998 home video release, ''Meeting People Is Easy''. He said: "We can all relate to that video – y'know, having to do a hundred fucking idents for radio stations – but that doesn't mean you've got to walk around and be a miserable twat to everybody. Which is what Thom Yorke is mostly."<ref name="hotpress">{{cite magazine | last=Clark| first= Stuart| title = Stereophonics Interview| magazine = Hot Press | date = August 2002 }}</ref><ref name="guardian141007">{{cite news | last=Hodgkinson| first= Will| title = Soundtrack of my life: Kelly Jones| newspaper = The Observer | date = 14 October 2007 | url = https://www.theguardian.com/music/2007/oct/14/popandrock | access-date = 2008-01-06 | location=London}}</ref> He later expressed regret for this comment, since he was a fan of Yorke.<ref>Fullerton, Lee-Ann; Lyons, Beverley. [http://www.thefreelibrary.com/The+Razz%3A+Kelly%27s+aye+sorry...-a0112784789 "The Razz: Kelly's aye sorry"]. ''Daily Record''. Archived at TheFreeLibrary. 2 February 2004. Retrieved 10 June 2012.</ref>
Jones is known for his cynical view of manufactured pop and has also criticised reality shows such as ''Popstars'' and ''The X Factor'', as well as manufactured bands such as Hear'Say.<ref name="bbc1245177">{{cite news | title = Stereophonics attack TV popstar| publisher = BBC Wales | date = 27 March 2001 | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/1245177.stm | access-date = 2008-01-06}}</ref>
==Personal life== In 2002, Jones was arrested for vandalism; the state later declined to press charges. Jones wrote the song "Rainbows and Pots of Gold" in response to the event.<ref>{{cite web| title = Kelly jones – stereophonics singer's violent rage at ex's new love| publisher = Contactmusic.com| date = 2003-07-07| url = http://www.contactmusic.com/new/xmlfeed.nsf/mndwebpages/stereophonics%20singer.s%20violent%20rage%20at%20ex.s%20new%20love| access-date = 2009-01-16| archive-date = 24 August 2007| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070824144850/http://www.contactmusic.com/new/xmlfeed.nsf/mndwebpages/stereophonics%20singer.s%20violent%20rage%20at%20ex.s%20new%20love| url-status = dead}}</ref> Jones and Rebecca Walters have two children;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/4220747.stm|title=Fatherhood for Stereophonic Kelly|publisher=BBC|date=30 January 2005|access-date=9 January 2012}}</ref> the couple split shortly after the birth of the second child. Jones then married MTV journalist Jakki Healy; they have two children.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/music/kelly-jones-of-stereophonics-im-just-so-proud-of-my-trans-son-colby-41360528.html|title=Kelly Jones of Stereophonics: 'I'm just so proud of my trans son, Colby'|website=independent}}</ref>
Influenced as a child by his older brothers, Kevin and Lee, Jones has been a life-long supporter of Leeds United Football Club. <ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.theguardian.com/observer/osm/story/0,,641776,00.html|title= My team: Leeds United, by Kelly Jones of Stereophonics |website=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/best-in-leeds/gigs-clubs/leeds-united-kelly-jones-stereophonics-16185962.amp|title=Stereophonics star Kelly Jones on his Leeds United love and how he became a Whites supporter|website=Leeds Live}}</ref>
==Discography== thumb|right|Jones in July 2007 ===Studio albums=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+Studio albums by Kelly Jones ! scope="col"| Title ! scope="col"| Year |- ! scope="row"| ''Only the Names Have Been Changed'' | 2007 |- ! scope="row"| ''Inevitable Incredible'' | 2024 |}
===Live albums=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+Live albums by Kelly Jones ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year ! scope="col" colspan="2"| Chart positions |- ! scope="col"| <small>UK</small><br /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/19559/kelly-jones/|title=Kelly Jones {{!}} full Official Chart History|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=12 December 2020|archive-date=10 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210110234513/https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/19559/kelly-jones/|url-status=live}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"| ''Don't Let the Devil Take Another Day'' | 2020 | 8 |}
==References== {{reflist}}
{{Commons category}}
{{Stereophonics}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Jones, Kelly}} Category:1974 births Category:Living people Category:Welsh operatic baritones Category:Welsh rock singers Category:British rock singers Category:Welsh rock musicians Category:Welsh male songwriters Category:21st-century Welsh male singers Category:Welsh guitarists Category:People from Aberdare Category:Welsh rock guitarists Category:Welsh male singer-songwriters Category:Welsh record producers Category:British lead guitarists Category:21st-century British guitarists Category:Stereophonics members