Richard Jones

Richard Jones (born 23 May 1974) is a Welsh bassist, pianist and backing vocalist for the Welsh rock band Stereophonics, playing alongside Kelly Jones (cousin), Adam Zindani and Jamie Morrison. Jones grew up in Cwmaman, an old mining village in south Wales. Richard originally formed the band with Kelly Jones and Stuart Cable), playing under different band names such as "Silent Runner", "Tragic Love Company" and "Mable Cable". Jones played to his largest audience on 2 July 2005 as the group appeared at the Live 8 concert, in Hyde Park, London. Jones is often noted for his tattoos, and claims; "I got my first tattoo done in one of the Welsh Valleys when I was 16 or 17. By law you shouldn't have them before you're 18 but this tattooist bloke figured if you were old enough to walk in his shop, you were old enough to have them done. I wanted Jonesy tattooed on my arm but he spelt it wrong and put J-O-N-S-E-Y. I went back a few weeks later and asked for a big tattoo on my body but I hadn't got enough money, so instead he tattooed Richard on the side of my neck. I quite regret that one, actually." The 'Jonsey' tattoo on Jones' upper-right arm, among others, has since been covered up by Maori, Japanese and Tibetan designs across his arms and upper chest.