In June 1992, during his six-part ITV series Tom Jones: The Right Time, the Welsh powerhouse and legendary crooner embarked on a daring musical journey—melding gospel influences with pop, soul, and rock. But one moment rose above the rest: a stirring, genre-warping cover of Prince’s “Purple Rain”, performed in collaboration with Pink Floyd’s renowned guitarist David Gilmour.
Being broadcast in the U.S. on VH1, the show connected Jones’ classic vocals with a superstar ensemble of guest artists.
For the episode dedicated to gospel music, Jones tore into “Purple Rain” in a sharp purple suit, delivering its soul-soaked lines with his signature deep vibrato that felt born of personal experience and raw power.
Meanwhile, Gilmour lent his unmistakable guitar voice—not mimicking Prince but weaving his own atmospheric and evocative solo that evoked both mysticism and melodic restraint.
This wasn’t a rehash; it was reinvention. Jones’s thunderous vocals merged with Gilmour’s textured chords and emotive phrasing to create something entirely fresh yet deeply rooted in reverence. Critics described it as “a pleasing, astonishing blend of musical worlds,” where “lighting struck” in the most unexpected way.
Tom Jones had already found renewed acclaim in the ’80s—most notably with a bold cover of Prince’s “Kiss”, which signaled his creative renaissance.
The “Purple Rain” moment cemented that continued kinship through musical reinterpretation. As multiple publications and music lovers continue to note, the pairing of the grandiose Welsh voice with the introspective Floydian guitar style was uniquely captivating.
Even decades later, fans online still buzz over the performance. One wrote:
“Tom Jones singing Purple Rain… Gilmour nailed it though as one would expect.”
“Tom’s style is rooted in old-school blues shouters… subtlety isn’t where he shines, but interesting nonetheless.”
These takes underscore how the performance evoked both awe and playful scrutiny—a testament to its bold nature.
