Shirley Bassey

Shirley Bassey
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Name	Shirley Bassey
Caption	Bassey in 1972
Birth name	Shirley Veronica Bassey
Birth date	8 January 1937
Birth place	Tiger Bay, Cardiff, Wales
Occupation	Singer
Years active	1953–present
Genre	Traditional pop, vocal jazz, easy listening
Label	Philips, Columbia, United Artists, Geffen
Associated acts	John Barry, James Bond film series

Shirley Bassey is a Welsh singer whose powerful, dramatic contralto voice and commanding stage presence have made her one of the most popular female vocalists in Britain for over six decades. She is best known for recording the theme songs to three James Bond films: Goldfinger (1964), Diamonds Are Forever (1971), and Moonraker (1979). With a career spanning from the post-skiffle era to the modern Brit Awards, she has sold an estimated 135 million records worldwide and is noted for her enduring influence on popular music.

Early life and career beginnings

Born in the multicultural port community of Tiger Bay in Cardiff, she was the youngest child of a Nigerian-born sailor and an English mother from Teesside. She left school at 14 and worked in a factory while performing in local clubs, eventually joining a touring revue called Memories of Al Jolson. Her professional break came in 1955 when she was discovered by the impresario Jack Hylton while performing at the Gower Street establishment the Gargoyle Club in London. This led to a recording contract with Philips Records and her first hit, "The Banana Boat Song", in 1957, which capitalized on the calypso trend popularized by Harry Belafonte.

Rise to fame and international success

Her rise was cemented with the chart-topping success of "As I Love You" in 1959, which made her the first Welsh artist to achieve a UK number-one single. She became a fixture on television, starring in her own series for the BBC and ATV, and performed for royalty at the Royal Variety Performance. International fame followed, particularly in the United States, where her performances at venues like the Sands Hotel Copa Room in Las Vegas and the Empire Room at the Waldorf Astoria established her as a major nightclub attraction. Her association with the James Bond franchise began with the iconic title song for the 1964 film Goldfinger, composed by John Barry with lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley.

Signature songs and musical style

Her musical style is characterized by a formidable vocal range, intense emotional delivery, and a flair for dramatic orchestration. Beyond the Bond themes, her signature songs include the powerful ballad "I (Who Have Nothing)", the pop standard "Big Spender" from the musical Sweet Charity, and the Richard Perry-produced disco hit "Never Never Never". She is renowned for interpreting the works of major composers such as Burt Bacharach, Hal David, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and Tim Rice. Her performances often feature lavish gowns and are marked by a potent, almost theatrical, connection with her audience, influencing later artists like Tom Jones and Barbra Streisand.

Later career and legacy

Her career experienced a major resurgence in the 1990s and 2000s. The 1997 album The Birthday Concert celebrated her 60th birthday at Althorp, and she performed at the Party at the Palace concert for the Golden Jubilee of Elizabeth II. She collaborated with the Propellerheads on the hit "History Repeating" and released the critically acclaimed album The Performance in 2009, featuring songs written by artists like Rufus Wainwright and the Pet Shop Boys. Honored as a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1999, she has also received multiple Brit Awards including the Outstanding Contribution Award. Her influence is acknowledged by contemporary stars from Beyoncé to Paloma Faith.

Personal life

Her personal life has often been the subject of media attention. She was married twice, first to film producer Kenneth Hume and later to Italian former model Sergio Novak; both marriages ended in divorce. She has three children: daughter Sharon from a relationship early in her career, and two daughters, Samantha and Serena, from her marriage to Novak. She has resided for many years in Monte Carlo, Monaco, and maintains a strong connection to her hometown of Cardiff, where a statue in her honor was unveiled in 2022. She is known for her private nature regarding her family and her philanthropic work, particularly with charities supporting children and the arts.

Category:Welsh singers Category:James Bond music performers Category:1937 births Category:Living people Category:Dames Commander of the Order of the British Empire