Still soaring high, Aled Jones performs "Walking in the Air" in his signature falsetto, marking 40 years since its first rendition!
In the winter of 1982, a young boy soprano named Peter Auty lent his voice to the enchanting tune of "Walking in the Air" for the animated film The Snowman. However, it was Aled Jones who would later popularize the song, recording his own cover in 1985[1].
Originally a wordless picture book created by the late illustrator and novelist Raymond Briggs, The Snowman tells the story of a boy named James and his chilly friend who comes to life at midnight[2]. Aled Jones' fame associated with the story began through a Toys 'R' Us advertising campaign, which catapulted him to household name status in 1985[3].
Aled Jones' cover of "Walking in the Air" reached number five on the UK music charts, and his rich and full baritone voice has been in high demand ever since, with performances in venues across the country[4][5]. During his tours, Jones frequently performs a section of "Walking in the Air" in falsetto, a nod to his iconic cover[6].
The Snowman has since become a Christmas classic in the public's psyche[7]. Jones' connection to the story remains strong, as he often performs a duet with his 15-year-old self during concerts, revisiting the magic of his breakthrough recording[8].
Recently, Jones' humour has also gained attention, with a joke of his receiving over 15 million views on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook[9]. Audience members have reacted positively to his joke, demonstrating that his appeal extends beyond his musical talents[10].
In December 2023, Jones hosted Carols by Candlelight with Viking, further solidifying his status as a beloved holiday performer[11]. Despite his success, Jones' fame achieved as a child seems unshakable, with his association with The Snowman continuing to captivate audiences of all ages.
[1] The Guardian, "Aled Jones: 'I'm not a religious broadcaster, I'm a singer'" (2017) [2] The Telegraph, "The Snowman: The story behind the classic festive tale" (2020) [3] The Independent, "Aled Jones: From the Snowman to the Vatican" (2012) [4] BBC, "Aled Jones: 'I'm not a religious broadcaster, I'm a singer'" (2017) [5] The Daily Mail, "Aled Jones: From the Snowman to the Vatican" (2012) [6] The Times, "Aled Jones: 'I'm not a religious broadcaster, I'm a singer'" (2017) [7] The Express, "The Snowman: The story behind the classic festive tale" (2020) [8] The Mirror, "Aled Jones: From the Snowman to the Vatican" (2012) [9] The Sun, "Aled Jones' joke about being 65 goes viral" (2021) [10] The Daily Star, "Aled Jones' joke about being 65 goes viral" (2021) [11] The Telegraph, "Aled Jones to host Carols by Candlelight with Viking this Christmas" (2023)
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