Shirley Bassey | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Bassey in 1971 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Shirley Veronica Bassey (1937-01-08)8 January 1937 (age 88) |
| Genres | |
| Occupation | Singer |
| Years active | 1953–present |
| Labels | |
Dame Shirley Veronica Bassey (/ˈbæsi/; born 8 January 1937[1]) is a Welsh singer, known for her career longevity, powerful voice and recording thetheme songs to threeJames Bond films – the only artist to officially perform more than one. Bassey is one of the most popular vocalists in Britain.[2][3]
Born inCardiff, Bassey began performing as a teenager in 1953. In 1959, she became the first Welsh person to gain a number-one single on theUK Singles Chart.[4] In the following decades, Bassey amassed 27top 40 hits in the UK, including two number ones ("As I Love You" and thedouble A-side "Climb Ev'ry Mountain"/"Reach for the Stars") plus a number one on the Dance Chart ("History Repeating").[5] She became well known for recording theme songs of the James Bond filmsGoldfinger (1964),Diamonds Are Forever (1971), andMoonraker (1979).[6][7][8]
Bassey has had numerousBBC television specials and hosted her own variety series,Shirley Bassey. In 2011, BBC aired the television filmShirley, based on Bassey's life and career.[9] Since making her first appearance at theRoyal Albert Hall in 1971, she has performed at the venue 45 times.[10] Bassey received the first award for Best British Female Solo Artist at the1st Brit Awards in 1977.[11] She was appointed aDame in 1999 for services to the performing arts. In 2003, she was ranked among the "100 Great Black Britons". Her song "Goldfinger" was inducted into theGrammy Hall of Fame in 2008. She has influenced many other singers, includingAretha Franklin.[12]
In a career spanning more than 70 years, Bassey has sold more than 140 million records worldwide, making her one of the best-selling female artists of all time.[13][14][15] She is the first woman in history to claim a Top 40 album in seven consecutive decades in theUnited Kingdom.[16]
Shirley Veronica Bassey was born the sixth and youngest child of Henry Bassey and Eliza Jane Start on Bute Street inTiger Bay,Cardiff.[17] She grew up in the nearby community ofSplott.[18] Her father wasNigerian, and her English mother came fromNew Marske,North Yorkshire.[6][19][20][21]
Two of her mother's four children from previous relationships lived in the Bassey household. Bassey's mother listed her first husband, Alfred Metcalfe, as her own father in the registry of her marriage to Henry Bassey, giving rise to speculation that this marriage wasbigamous in the absence of a prior divorce.[22] Eliza and Henry's second child died in infancy, so Shirley was born into a household of three sisters, two half-sisters, and one brother.
Teachers and students alike at Moorland Road School noticed Bassey's strong voice but gave the pre-teen little encouragement: "everyone told me to shut up. Even in the schoolchoir the teacher kept telling me to back off till I was singing in the corridor!" A classmate recalled her singing the refrain "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man" fromShow Boat with such feeling that she made their teacher uncomfortable.[23] She leftSplottsecondary modern school at age 14 to work atCurran Steels and, in the evenings and weekends, to sing in localpubs and clubs.[24]
In 1953, Bassey signed her first professional contract, touring with the variety showMemories of Jolson, a musical based on the life ofAl Jolson.[25] On 17 December 1953, Bassey signed a contract with Columbia Productions for two performances at the salary of £10.[26] Her next professional engagement was in the touring showHot from Harlem, in which she and other mixed-race Cardiff performers playedBlack Americans in 1954.[27] A review of the show in March 1954 included: "Shirley Bassey, an attractive young singer, is an asset to the show."[28] Later that year, Bassey gave birth to her daughter Sharon, while staying with her sister Ella in London.[27]
While performing in Jersey, Bassey met her first manager, Mike Sullivan.[27] In 1955, Bassey toured various theatres until she was noticed by the impresarioJack Hylton at the Astor Club in September 1955.[29][30] He invited her to feature inAl Read'sSuch Is Life, which opened on 14 December 1955[31] at theAdelphi Theatre in London'sWest End. In the show, which ran until 3 November 1956,[32] she featured the song "Burn My Candle", leading one reviewer to say that she had nearly stopped the show with the song "which brought outraged mutters, then roars of shamefaced applause."[33] During the show's run,Philips record producerJohnny Franz spotted her on television, was impressed, and offered her a recording deal. Bassey recorded her first single, "Burn My Candle", the song she had featured inSuch is Life, and this was released in February 1956. The cabaret-style song was banned by theBBC because the lyrics were considered too suggestive.[34] More singles followed, and in February 1957, Bassey had her firsthit with "The Banana Boat Song", which reached No. 8 in the UK Singles Chart.[5]
Following a successful run at theCafé de Paris, London, Bassey made her American stage début inLas Vegas atEl Rancho Vegas in February 1957.[35] Following on from Las Vegas, Bassey opened atCiro's on Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood on 15 February 1957.[36] She also recorded under the direction of American producerMitch Miller in New York City for theColumbia Records label (which at the time had a distribution deal with Philips), producing the single "If I Had a Needle and Thread"b/w "Tonight My Heart She Is Crying". On her return to the UK in April 1957, she starred in "Sunday Night at the London Palladium" for the first time on 28 April 1957.[37]
In mid-1958, Bassey recorded two singles that would become classics in the Bassey catalogue. "As I Love You" was released as theB-side of another ballad, "Hands Across the Sea"; it did not sell well at first but, after another appearance at theLondon Palladium on 30 November,[38] sales began to pick up. In January 1959, "As I Love You" reachednumber-one and stayed there for four weeks; it was the first number-one single by a Welsh artist.[4] While "As I Love You" climbed the charts, so did Bassey's recording of "Kiss Me, Honey Honey, Kiss Me" and both records would end up occupying the top 3 at the same time. Having been withDecca Records for four years, Bassey then signed toEMI'sColumbia label on 20 April 1959.[39] Her first album for Columbia,The Fabulous Shirley Bassey, was later released and reached. No. 12 on theUK Albums Chart.[40][41]
Between 1960 and 1961, Bassey had four Top 10 hits in the UK.[5] Her 1960 recording of "As Long As He Needs Me" fromLionel Bart'sOliver! peaked at No. 2, and had a chart run of 30 weeks.[8] She made her American television début on 13 November 1960, when she performed onThe Ed Sullivan Show.[42] In 1961, the doubleA-side "Reach for the Stars"/"Climb Ev'ry Mountain" reached number-one.[5] Bassey's version of "As Long as He Needs Me" reached No. 2.[5] Her single "I'll Get By" peaked at No. 10.[5] Bassey's rendition of "You'll Never Know" was one of the UK's top hits in 1961, reaching No. 6 on the charts.[43][5] She began to gain recognition in the American market and signed toUnited Artists Records in August 1961.[44] The following month she began a five-week engagement at the Persian Room inside New York'sPlaza Hotel.[45]
Bassey's collaboration withNelson Riddle and his orchestra, the albumLet's Face the Music (1962), reached No. 12 in the UK album chart; and the single, "What Now My Love" made it to No. 5 in 1962.[5] Hercover version of theBen E. King hit "I (Who Have Nothing)" reached No. 6 in 1963.[5] In January 1963, Bassey performed at a gala commemorating the second anniversary ofPresident John F. Kennedy's inauguration in Washington, D.C.[46][47] In March 1963, she appeared on the cover ofEbony magazine.[48] Bassey made herCarnegie Hall debut on 15 February 1964.[49] The complete concert recording was not released until it was included in the EMI compilationThe EMI/UA Years 1959–1979 in 1994.
In 1965, Bassey enjoyed her onlyTop 40 hit on theBillboardHot 100 with thetitle song of the James Bond film,Goldfinger. The single "Goldfinger" was released in the US in January 1965, peaking at No 8.[50] Theoriginal soundtrack forGoldfinger hit number-one in the US that year. The "Goldfinger" theme song had a lasting impact on her career. In thesleeve notes for Bassey's25th Anniversary Album (1978),Peter Clayton noted that: "Acceptance in America was considerably helped by the enormous popularity of ("Goldfinger")...But she had actually established herself there as early as 1961, incabaret in New York. She was also a success in Las Vegas...'I suppose I should feel hurt that I've never been really big in America on record since "Goldfinger"...But, concertwise, I always sell out.'..."[51]
Her live 1965 albumShirley Bassey at the Pigalle, recorded during a sold-out run at the Pigalle in London, peaked at No. 15 on the UK album chart.[5] Also in 1965, she sang the title song for the James Bond spoofThe Liquidator.[52] Bassey recorded a song for the next Bond film,Thunderball (1965). "Mr Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" was not used in the movie, although the film's score follows its melodic theme. Written by John Barry and Leslie Bricusse, "Mr Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" was re-recorded by American singerDionne Warwick, and then rejected in favor of a new song, "Thunderball", hastily written by Barry and given to Welsh singerTom Jones after the film's producers decided the song over the opening credits must feature the film's title.[53]
In the aftermath of "Goldfinger" her UK sales started to falter as well: only two of her singles would enter the UK top 40 from 1966 to 1970. Her first album on United Artists, "I've Got a Song for You" (1966), spent one week on the chart. From 1966 to 1970, only two albums would chart, one of those a compilation. One of her best-known singles, "Big Spender" was released in 1967, charting just short of the UK top 20.[5]
Bassey began to live as atax exile in 1968, duringa period of very high income tax, and was unable to work in Britain for almost two years.[21][54] In 1969, she appeared inNBC'sThe Spring Thing, a musical television special hosted byBobbie Gentry andNoel Harrison. Guests included wereGoldie Hawn,Meredith MacRae, Irwin C. Watson,Rod McKuen, andHarpers Bizarre.[55]
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Bassey's UK comeback came in 1970 leading to one of the most successful periods of her career. Starting the year with a BBC Television 'Special',The Young Generation Meet Shirley Bassey, recorded in Sweden and shown onBBC1 on 18 March.[56] She returned to the UK with a record-breaking run of performances at theTalk of the Town nightclub. Also in 1970, she released the albumSomething, which marked a stylistic shift for her, as producer/arranger Johnny Harris built on her traditional pop roots by incorporating more contemporary material and arrangements. The title single became one of her biggest UK hits, reaching No. 4[57] (the same peak as the Beatles’ version[58]) and staying on the charts for 22 weeks – one of her longest chart runs.[59] However, Bassey continued to record standards,show tunes, andtorch songs throughout her career.[60]
Her song "Something" was also a top 10 US hit on theAdult Contemporary chart. Other singles of this period included the hit "Never Never Never", an English version of the Italian "Grande grande grande", reaching the top 10 in the US Adult Contemporary Chart, the UK top 10 and number one in Australia and South Africa. In 1972, "For All We Know" won The Best Female Performance Of The Year at The Radio Luxembourg Awards.
Returning to the James Bond franchise, she recorded the theme song forDiamonds Are Forever (1971). Bassey appeared on theMorecambe and Wise Christmas Show, broadcast on Christmas Day in 1971.[61]
Bassey was the subject ofThis Is Your Life on two occasions: firstly, in November 1972 whenEamonn Andrews 'surprised' her atHeathrow Airport, and then in January 1993, whenMichael Aspel surprised her at the curtain call of a sell-out concert at theRoyal Albert Hall.[62]
Bassey recorded a series of successful albums on the United Artists label, including:Something Else (1971);And I Love You So (1972);I Capricorn (1972);Never Never Never (1973);Good, Bad but Beautiful (1975);Love, Life and Feelings (1976);You Take My Heart Away (1977) andYesterdays (1978). Additionally, two of Bassey's earlier LPs also entered the charts in the '70s:And We Were Lovers (1967, re-issued asBig Spender), andLet's Face the Music (1962, re-issued asWhat Now My Love). Two compilations,The Shirley Bassey Singles Album (1975) and25th Anniversary Album (1978), both made the top three of the UK charts:The Shirley Bassey Singles Album, her highest-charting album, reached number two and earned agold disc, and the25th Anniversary Album eventually went platinum.[5][63]
Between 1970 and 1979, Bassey had 18 hit albums in the UK Albums Chart.[8] Her albumThe Magic Is You (1979) featured a portrait by the photographerFrancesco Scavullo. In 1973, her sold-out concerts at New York'sCarnegie Hall were recorded and released as a two-LP set,Shirley Bassey: Live at Carnegie Hall; this album reached No. 20 on the Billboard R&B album chart.[50]
In 1976, Bassey starred in the six-episodeShirley Bassey show, the first of her television programmes for the BBC, followed by a second series of six episodes in 1979. The final show of the first series was nominated for theGolden Rose of Montreux in 1977. The series featured guests includingNeil Diamond,Michel Legrand,The Three Degrees andDusty Springfield and featured Bassey in various international locations as well as in the television studio. In 1978, Bassey pleaded guilty to beingdrunk and disorderly "after shouting abuse in the street and pushing a policeman".[7] In 1979, Bassey recorded the title theme song for the Bond film,Moonraker.
Throughout most of the 1980s, Bassey focused on charitable work and performing occasional concert tours throughout Europe, Australia, and the United States. She had ended her contract with United Artists, whose former record division was now part of EMI, and began what she referred to as "semi-retirement". Bassey recorded an album entitledAll by Myself (1982) and made a TV special forThames Television calledA Special Lady with guestRobert Goulet. Around this time she recorded a duet with the French film actorAlain Delon, "Thought I'd Ring You" (1983). Bassey was now recording far less often but an album of her most famous songs,I Am What I Am (1984), was recorded with theLondon Symphony Orchestra (LSO) conducted byCarl Davis. This was followed by a single and video to support theLondon Tourist Board, "There's No Place Like London" (1986), which was co-written byLynsey de Paul andGerard Kenny. She recorded an album of James Bond themes,The Bond Collection in 1987, but was apparently unhappy with the results so she declined to release it. (Five years later it was released anyway, Bassey sued in court, and all unsold copies were withdrawn.)[64]
Bassey provided vocals for Swiss artistsYello on "The Rhythm Divine" (1987), a song co-written by Scottish singerBilly Mackenzie.[6] An album sung entirely in Spanish,La Mujer was released in 1989.
Bassey had started working with a vocal coach, a former opera singer, and her albumKeep the Music Playing (1991) displayed a grand,operatic pop style on several songs (perhaps also influenced by her album with the LSO seven years earlier).
EMI released the five-CD box setBassey – The EMI/UA Years 1959–1979 in 1994. The accompanying booklet opened with a poem byMarc Almond. Bassey collaborated withChris Rea in the filmLa Passione (1996), appearing in the film as herself and releasing the single "'Disco' La Passione". Theremix of this single charted just outside theUK top 40.[5] Bassey's "History Repeating" (1997), written for her by thePropellerheads, reached number one on theUK Dance Chart, and number 10 on theUS Dance Chart.[65] Theliner notes of the Propellerheads' albumDecksandrumsandrockandroll included the lines: "We would like to extend our maximum respect to Shirley Bassey for honouring us with her performance. We are still in shock...." Bassey celebrated her 60th birthday in 1997 with two open-air concerts, atCastle Howard andAlthorp Park, and another TV special. The resulting live albumThe Birthday Concert received aGrammy Award nomination forBest Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.[66] On 7 October 1998 in Egypt, Bassey performed at an open-air concert close to theSphinx ofr charity and theGreat Pyramid. Bassey played the Friday night atHenley Festival in 1984.[62]
Bassey was sued in a breach of contract case in 1998 by her former personal assistant, who also accused Bassey of hitting her and making an ethnic slur. Bassey won the case.[7] The episode was lampooned byAlexander Baron in his one-act playThe Trial of Shirley Bassey. The following year, she performed the official song for the rugby World Cup, "World in Union", withBryn Terfel at the opening ceremony at TheMillennium Stadium, Cardiff, wearing a gown based on theWelsh flag. Their single made the top 40, and Bassey contributed two more songs to the official albumLand of My Fathers, which reached number one on the UK compilations chart, and went silver.[63][67]
Bassey continued to perform at various high-profile events. In 2001, she was the principal artist at theDuke of Edinburgh's 80th birthday celebration. On 3 June 2002, she was one of a line-up of artists includingElton John,Paul McCartney andTom Jones who performed at theQueen's 50th Jubilee Party at Buckingham Palace.
Bassey celebrated 50 years in show business in 2003 with the release of the CDThank You for the Years, which was another top 20 album. A gala charity auction of her stage costumes atChristie's, "Dame Shirley Bassey: 50 Years of Glittering Gowns", raised £250,000 (US$500,000) for the Dame Shirley Bassey Scholarship at theRoyal Welsh College of Music and Drama and the Noah's Ark Children's Hospital Appeal.[68] Bassey topped the bill at the 2005Royal Variety Performance, introducing her new song "The Living Tree".[62]
Two popularAudiences with Shirley Bassey have aired on British television: one in 1995, which attracted more than 10 million viewers in the UK, and a second, broadcast in 2006. Bassey returned to perform in five arenas around the UK in June the same year, culminating atWembley. She also performed a concert in front of 10,000 people at theBryn TerfelFaenol Festival inNorth Wales broadcast byBBC Wales.Marks & Spencer signed her for their Christmas 2006 James Bond–style television advertising campaign. Bassey was seen in a glamorous ice palace singing acover version ofPink's song "Get the Party Started", wearing anM&S gown.[69]
"The Living Tree", written, produced, and originally recorded by the groupNever the Bride, was released as a single on 23 April 2007, marking Bassey's 50th anniversary in the UK Singles Chart, and the record for the longest span of top-40 hits in UK chart history.[8] Bassey performed a 45-minute set at the 2007Glastonbury Festival wearing a pinkJulien Macdonald dress, and customisedWellington boots.[70] A new album,Get the Party Started, was subsequently released on 25 June 2007 and entered theUK Albums Chart at number six.[5] The single of the title song reached number 3 on theUS Dance Chart.[71] The same year, Bassey performed "Big Spender" withElton John at his annual White Tie and Tiara Ball to raise money forThe Elton John AIDS Foundation.[72] In 2007, Bassey performed inFashion Rocks in aid of ThePrince's Trust at theRoyal Albert Hall.[citation needed]
Bassey was rushed to the hospital in Monaco on 23 May 2008 to have an emergency operation on her stomach after complaining of abdominal pains. She was forced to pull out of theNelson Mandela 90th Birthday Tribute concert because of her illness.[73] A biography of Bassey,Diamond Diva, was published in 2008.[74]
Bassey recorded the albumThe Performance (2009), with James Bond composerDavid Arnold as producer. A number of artists wrote songs expressly for her, includingManic Street Preachers,Gary Barlow,Tom Baxter,KT Tunstall,Pet Shop Boys,Nick Hodgson of theKaiser Chiefs,John Barry andDon Black. Bassey headlined at theBBC Electric Proms on 23 October 2009, in her only complete live set of 2009.[7][75] She sang several of the new songs from the album in November 2009 on several TV shows:The Graham Norton Show,The Paul O'Grady Show and as the guest singer onStrictly Come Dancing.[62]
Bassey performed at a gala celebrating the 80th birthday ofMikhail Gorbachev on 30 March 2011.[76] She also performed at theClassical Brit Awards in 2011, singing "Goldfinger" in tribute toJohn Barry.[77]
The BBC broadcast a 70-minute drama entitledShirley on 29 September 2011, depicting Bassey's early life and career.[78]Ruth Negga played the title role. Bassey was one of the line-up of artists on 4 June 2012 who performed at theQueen's 60th Jubilee Party atBuckingham Palace, singing "Diamonds Are Forever".[79] She performed at the2013 Academy Awards on 24 February 2013 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the James Bond movie franchise. It was her first appearance at an Oscars ceremony as a performer.[80] She sang "Goldfinger" to a standing ovation.[81]
Bassey performed "I'm Still Here" and "The Lady Is A Tramp" on 13 November 2014 at the Royal Variety Performance in the presence of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.[82][83]
Bassey released another album,Hello Like Before, on 17 November 2014. It included a 50th-anniversary re-recording of "Goldfinger" (recreating the original orchestration) and a duet of "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend" withPaloma Faith, produced and conducted by Stuart Barr.[84]
In December 2016, Bassey starred in a 60-minute BBC broadcast hosted byDavid Walliams.[85]
On 11 March 2018, Bassey performed "Almost Like Being In Love" in a tribute toBruce Forsyth at the London Palladium. At a gala forAmfAR (The Foundation for Aids Research) in Los Angeles on 18 October 2018, Bassey sang "Goldfinger", "Diamonds Are Forever", "Almost Like Being In Love" and "I Am What I Am".[citation needed]
On 9 August 2019, Bassey performed at UNICEF's Summer Gala in Porto Cervo, Sardinia, singing "Goldfinger", "Diamonds Are Forever" and "S'Wonderful". Bassey appeared on the Ball & Boe TV Christmas Special on Friday 20 December 2019, singing "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" with Michael Ball and Alfie Boe.[citation needed]
In 2020, with the release of her most recent album,I Owe It All To You, Bassey became the first female artist to chart an album in the top 40 of theUK Albums Chart in seven consecutive decades.[86]
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On 13 March 2022 Bassey opened the BAFTA Film Awards at London's Royal Albert Hall with a performance of "Diamonds Are Forever". She performed again at the same venue on 4 October 2022 inThe Sound of 007: Live from the Royal Albert Hall; both performances celebrated the 60th Anniversary of the James Bond films. In the latter she sang the two opening songs, "Diamonds Are Forever" and "Goldfinger". In 2023, Bassey was awarded The Order of Saint Charles by Prince Albert II of Monaco.
In May, 2024, Bassey announced acharity auction of some of her "meaningful" jewels, including a diamond ring she was gifted byElton John.[87]
Bassey's first marriage was toKenneth Hume in 1961. The couple separated in 1964 and divorced in 1965 in the wake of Bassey's affair with actorPeter Finch. She then announced to the press that she and Finch would not be marrying, telling the press: "It simply wouldn't work out. Just know I am not ready for marriage to anyone. I feel I have to be free."[88] A year later, Hume sued Finch and another man, John McAuliffe, for being "indiscreet" with Bassey.[89] Both Finch and McAuliffe were cited as co-respondents in the Hume–Bassey divorce.[90] For her part, Bassey was named as co-respondent in 1965 when Finch's wife, South African actressYolande Turner, divorced him.[91]
From 1968 until they divorced in 1979, Bassey was married to Sergio Novak, the assistant manager of the Excelsior Hotel in Venice. During this time, Novak was Bassey's manager, and they adopted Mark, her grand-nephew.[92][20][21]
The fathers of Bassey's two daughters, Sharon Bassey (a.k.a. Sharon Novak, born 1954) and Samantha Bassey (a.k.a. Samantha Novak, born 1963), are unknown.[92][88] Bassey had Sharon at the age of 17 and her sister Ella raised her as her own daughter until the 1960s.[27][93] Bassey's first husband suggested that Samantha, born during the couple's marriage, was the result of an affair between Bassey and Peter Finch.
In 1985, Samantha, age 21, was found dead in theRiver Avon inBristol. Bassey has always maintained that the death of her daughter was not a suicide.[7] On 24 March 2010,Avon and Somerset Police confirmed they were undertaking fresh inquiries into the death and specifically claimed that the convicted killer Michael Moffat was involved in her death.[94] However, in October 2010 it was reported that the investigation had come to an end, concluding that there was "no evidence of any criminal act involved" in Novak's death.[95] The ordeal of losing her daughter caused Bassey to temporarily lose her voice.[96]
In a 2009 interview, Bassey stated that she and her son, Mark, had reconciled.[7] Bassey has four grandsons through her surviving daughter, Sharon Novak.[97]
As of 2009, Bassey resides inMonaco.[7]
In 2018, Bassey reported that she had a great-granddaughter.[98]
Bassey was appointedCommander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the1994 New Year Honours[99] and promoted toDame Commander of the same Order (DBE) in the2000 New Year Honours for services to entertainment.[100] She was invited to perform in 2002 at theParty at the Palace, a public celebration of the Queen'sGolden Jubilee. Bassey also performed at the Queen's Diamond Jubilee concert at Buckingham Palace on 4 June 2012, singing "Diamonds Are Forever". She was invited to perform at the Queen's 90th Birthday celebrations at Windsor Castle on 15 May 2016. She was appointedMember of the Order of the Companions of Honour (CH) in the2024 New Year Honours for services to music.[101]
In 2012, Bassey was among theBritish cultural icons selected by artist SirPeter Blake to appear in a new version of his most famous artwork – the Beatles'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album cover – to celebrate the British cultural figures of his life that he most admires.[102][103] In 2016, she was named as one of "the 50 greatest Welsh men and women of all time".[104] In November 2016 theRoyal Welsh College of Music and Drama announced the naming of the Shirley Bassey Studio in celebration of Bassey's long-standing support for young Welsh singers studying at the College. She was made aKnight ofFrance'sLegion of Honour in 2003,[105][106] to signify her popularity and importance in the culture of France. Bassey was awarded the freedom of her hometown, Cardiff, in a ceremony at City Hall on 17 May 2019.[107]
Bassey received the following honours:
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | The Birthday Concert | Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album | Nominated |
| 2008 | "Goldfinger" | Grammy Hall of Fame (Single) | Inducted |
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1959 | Shirley Bassey | Favourite British Singer | Won |
| 1960 | Shirley Bassey | Favourite British Singer | Won |
Bassey has also received the following awards and nominations:
| Total # | Title | Director | Original airdate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Shirley Comes Home" | Selwyn Roderick | 3 September 1957 (1957-09-03) BBC Television at 6:45 pm | |
From the bright lights of Las Vegas and the West End, Shirley Bassey returns to her own people in the heart of Cardiff's dockland. Also at the party are:Gladys Morgan,Jimmy Rogers and 'The Black and Whites'. Introduced byAlun Williams from Cardiff's Queen Alexandra Dock.[113] | ||||
| 2 | "Shirley Sings and Riddle Swings" | Yvonne Littlewood | 23 June 1962 (1962-06-23) BBC Television at 8:20 pm | |
| 3 | "International Cabaret presenting Shirley Bassey" | Buddy Bregman | 25 April 1964 (1964-04-25)BBC2 at 9:40 pm | |
Starring Shirley Bassey withRobert Clary and TheTed Heath Orchestra. Musical director:Harry Rabinowitz. With The Heralds and the International Cabaret Dancers.[115] Repeated onBBC1 18 August 1964 at 8:25 pm. | ||||
| 4 | "Show of the Week: The Sound of Shirley Bassey" | Stewart Morris | 22 February 1966 (1966-02-22) BBC2 at 8:50 pm | |
Recorded on the eve of her departure for a world tour. Orchestra directed by Kenny Clayton.[116] Repeated 8 July 1967 at 7:40 pm. | ||||
| 5 | "The Shirley Bassey Show" | Tony Charmoli | 12 April 1969 (1969-04-12) BBC1 at 7:40 pm | |
| 6 | "Show of the Week: Shirley Bassey at Bern's Restaurant" | Stewart Morris | 6 July 1969 (1969-07-06) BBC2 at 9:55 pm | |
Shirley Bassey at Bern's Restaurant, Stockholm. Orchestra directed byAlyn Ainsworth. A BBC co-production withSveriges Radio.[118] Repeated on BBC1 20 September 1969 at 7:30 pm. | ||||
| 7 | "TheYoung Generation Meet Shirley Bassey" | Stewart Morris | 18 March 1970 (1970-03-18) BBC1 at 8:00 pm | |
From the Cirkus Studio in Stockholm, Sweden. WithUdo Jürgens, Andre Tahon and Ray Dondy with Alyn Ainsworth and his orchestra. A joint BBC/SR production.[119] | ||||
| 8 | "Shirley Bassey Singing Special" | Stewart Morris | 13 August 1970 (1970-08-13) BBC1 at 9:10 pm | |
Tonight this international singing star makes one of her rare appearances in this country. WithBrian Fahey and his orchestra.[120] Repeated on BBC2 23 December 1970 at 9:20 pm. | ||||
| 9 | "Night Club starring Shirley Bassey" | John Ammonds | 11 June 1972 (1972-06-11) BBC2 at 11:05 pm | |
An international cabaret this week from London introduced byFrancis Matthews. Also starring Trio Athenee,Rod Hull and Emu, Alfredo Alex Welsh and his Band, Joe Castor and Partner and the Pamela Devis Dancers. The Night Club Orchestra directed byJohnny Harris.[121] | ||||
| 10 | "Show of the Week: Shirley Bassey" | Dieter Finnern | 28 September 1972 (1972-09-28) BBC2 at 9:25 pm | |
Shirley Bassey on location in Sardinia and Berlin sings some of the songs which have made her famous. With the SFB Orchestra directed by Brian Fahey. A BBC/SFB Co-production.[121] | ||||
| 11 | "Shirley Bassey" | Stewart Morris | 26 December 1972 (1972-12-26) BBC1 at 9:55 pm | |
Shirley Bassey Recently returned from a record-breaking appearance in New York. With 'Segment' choreographed byNigel Lythgoe and featuring Alyn Ainsworth and his orchestra.[122] | ||||
| 12 | "Shirley Bassey at theRoyal Albert Hall" | Johnnie Stewart | 1 January 1974 (1974-01-01) BBC1 at 9:25 pm | |
Orchestra directed byArthur Greenslade.[123] Repeated on 19 April 1974 at 8:15 pm. | ||||
| 13 | "Shirley" | Stewart Morris | 28 December 1974 (1974-12-28) BBC1 at 8:30 pm | |
Starring international singing star Shirley Bassey with her special guestNeil Diamond. Orchestra directed by Arthur Greenslade.[124] | ||||
| 14 | "Shirley Bassey" | Stewart Morris | 27 December 1975 (1975-12-27) BBC1 at 8:20 pm | |
From the triumphs of a world tour, this superbly talented artist arrives for another high-flying television special. Tonight Shirley sings many of her famous hits together with a selection of new songs. Orchestra directed by Arthur Greenslade.[125] Repeated on BBC2 16 April 1976 at 9:10 pm. | ||||
| 15 | "Shirley Bassey: I Am What I Am" | Mike Alexander | 30 July 1994 (1994-07-30) BBC1 at 9:50 pm | |
In a documentary that is almost as revealing as her dresses, Shirley Bassey talks about her work and the cost to her family life.[126] | ||||
| 16 | "The Shirley Bassey Concert" | Gavin Taylor | 30 July 1994 (1994-07-30) BBC1 at 10:40 pm | |
Footage of a performance shot last September as Shirley Bassey opened Cardiff's new International Arena with two sell-out shows before an audience of 11,000 fans.[127] | ||||
| 17 | "Shirley Bassey: This Is My Life" | Alan Lewens | 2 January 1998 (1998-01-02) BBC1 at 10:05 pm | |
A documentary portrait of the internationally-acclaimed vocalist, following her travels through New York, London and Monte Carlo. The programme contains intimate moments behind the scenes as well as capturing her performances on the stage.[128] Repeated 7 April 2000. | ||||
| 18 | "Shirley Bassey: Viva Diva!" | Mike Mansfield | 31 December 1998 (1998-12-31) BBC1 at 9:10 pm | |
| 19 | "Dame Shirley Bassey: Electric Proms" | Janet Fraser Cook | 24 October 2009 (2009-10-24) BBC2 at 10:40 pm | |
The singer celebrates 50 years in the business with a special performance at London's Roundhouse.[130] Repeated multiple times on BBC HD and BBC4. | ||||
| 20 | "Imagine... Dame Shirley Bassey" | Dione Newton | 24 November 2009 (2009-11-24) BBC1 at 10:35 pm | |
Dame Shirley Bassey: The Girl from Tiger Bay. A profile of the Welsh singer on the release ofThe Performance, an album of songs composed for her by, among others:Gary Barlow,Rufus Wainwright andKT Tunstall.[131] | ||||
Welsh diva thrives on new material written by artists half her age.
...Shirley Bassey. Lst 2 dys.
Peak position 4 – Weeks on chart 22
Peak position 4 – First chart date 8 November 1969
The albumSomething, big on rock covers, was a concerted effort to make Bassey more contemporary.
Bassey topped the bill at the 2005 Royal Variety Performance, introducing her new song "The Living Tree".
[Samantha is described as being] 10 months old
She said the award "is up there with becoming a Dame. It's probably more so because not many people get freedom of the city. There are a lot of Dames around."
| Preceded by | James Bond title artist Goldfinger, 1964 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | James Bond title artist Diamonds Are Forever, 1971 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | James Bond title artist Moonraker, 1979 | Succeeded by |
