Shirley Bassey | Artist
Dame Shirley Bassey is a Welsh singer born 1937 in Cardiff, Wales. She is known for her career longevity, powerful voice and recording the theme songs to three James Bond films, and is one of the most popular vocalists in Britain. Bassey was born the sixth child of Henry Bassey and Eliza Jane Start in the working-class district of Tiger Bay, Cardiff. Her father was Nigerian, and mother came from New Marske, North Yorkshire. Teachers at Moorland Road School noticed her strong voice from an early age. A classmate recalled her singing "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man" from Show Boat with such feeling that she made their teacher uncomfortable. She left Splott secondary school at age 14 to work at Curran Steelworks and in the evenings sang in local pubs and clubs. In 1953, Bassey began touring with the variety show Memories of Jolson, a musical based on the life of Al Jolson. The same year she signed with Columbia Productions for two performances at the salary of £10. Later that year, at the age of 17, Bassey gave birth to her daughter Sharon, while staying with her sister Ella in London. In 1955, Bassey was noticed by the impresario Jack Hylton at the Astor Club in September 1955. He invited her to feature in Al Read's Such Is Life, which opened at the Adelphi Theatre in London's West End. The show ran until 3 November 1956 and featured the risqué song "Burn My Candle", which became her first single. The song was banned by the BBC because the lyrics were considered too suggestive. More singles followed, and in February 1957, Bassey had her first hit with "The Banana Boat Song", which reached #8 in the UK Chart. Bassey made her American stage début in Las Vegas at El Rancho Vegas in February 1957, then opened at Ciro's on Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood. She also recorded with American producer Mitch Miller in NYC for the Columbia label, producing the single "If I Had a Needle and Thread" b/w "Tonight My Heart She Is Crying". On her return to the UK, she starred in "Sunday Night at the London Palladium" on 28 April 1957. Bassey's collaboration with Nelson Riddle and his orchestra, the album Let's Face the Music (1962), reached #12 in the UK album chart; and the singles "What Now My Love" and "I (Who Have Nothing)" also charted. In January 1963, Bassey performed at a gala event for the anniversary of President John F. Kennedy's inauguration in Washington, D.C., and the following month made her Carnegie Hall debut. In 1965, she enjoyed a run on the Billboard Hot 100 with the title song of the James Bond film, Goldfinger. The single was released in the US in January, peaking at #8 and the original soundtrack topped the US chart. The "Goldfinger" theme song had a lasting impact on Bassey's career. Also in 1965, Bassey sang the title song for the James Bond spoof The Liquidator, and recorded songs for the next Bond film, "Thunderball" and "Mr Kiss Kiss Bang Bang", penned by John Barry. The title song was later adapted and given to Welsh singer Tom Jones. Bassey began to live as a tax exile in 1968 and was unable to work in Britain for almost two years. She recorded her third Bond theme song, "Diamonds Are Forever" in 1971. Between 1970 and 1979, Bassey had 18 hit albums in the UK charts, including a two-LP set live recording of her sold-out concerts at New York's Carnegie Hall. As a recording artist Bassey's catalogue includes 35 studio albums, 9 live albums, and over 100 singles. A small selection of standout albums includes The Bewitching Miss Bassey (1959), The Fabulous Shirley Bassey (1959), Let's Face the Music (1962), Shirley Bassey at the Pigalle (1965), Live at the Talk of the Town (1970), and the compilation The Shirley Bassey Singles Album (1975). In 1976, Bassey starred in the six-episode Shirley Bassey show for the BBC, followed by a second series of six episodes in 1979. The series featured guests including Neil Diamond, Michel Legrand, The Three Degrees and Dusty Springfield. Throughout most of the 1980s, Bassey focused on charitable work, performing occasional concert tours throughout Europe, Australia, and the United States. She has continued to perform at various high profile events. Bassey was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1994 and promoted to Dame Commander of the Order (DBE) in 2000, for services to entertainment. She was invited to perform in 2002 at the Party at the Palace, a public celebration of the Queen's Golden Jubilee. Bassey also performed at the Queen's Diamond Jubilee concert at Buckingham Palace on 4 June 2012, singing "Diamonds Are Forever".
Artist Website : dameshirleybassey.world
Featured Albums: Shirley Bassey
Related Artists: John Barry
