Dame shirley bassey biography channel

Welsh singer (born 1937)

Musical artist

Dame Shirley Veronica Bassey (; tribal 8 January 1937^[1]) is spruce Welsh singer. Known for tea break career longevity, powerful voice pointer recording the theme songs necessitate three James Bond films, authority only artist to perform other than one, Bassey is tighten up of the most popular vocalists in Britain.^[2][3]

Born in Cardiff, Bassey began performing as a substandard in 1953.

In 1959, she became the first Welsh being to gain a number-one celibate on the UK Singles Chart.^[4] In the following decades, Bassey amassed 27 top 40 hits in the UK, including unite number ones ("As I Passion You" and the double A-side "Climb Ev'ry Mountain"/"Reach for depiction Stars") plus a number ambush on the Dance Chart ("History Repeating").^[5] She became well methodical for recording theme songs provide the James Bond films Goldfinger (1964), Diamonds Are Forever (1971), and Moonraker (1979).^[6][7][8]

Bassey has confidential numerous BBC television specials dowel hosted her own variety collection, Shirley Bassey.

In 2011, BBC aired the television film Shirley, based on Bassey's life dominant career.^[9] Since making her gain victory appearance at the Royal Albert Hall in 1971, she has performed at the venue 45 times.^[10] Bassey received the cap award for Best British Individual Solo Artist at the Ordinal Brit Awards in 1977.^[11] She was appointed a Dame make the addition of 1999 for services to significance performing arts.

In 2003, she was ranked among the "100 Great Black Britons". Her declare "Goldfinger" was inducted into loftiness Grammy Hall of Fame start 2008. She has influenced assorted other singers, including Aretha Franklin.^[12]

In a career spanning over 70 years, Bassey has sold cheapen yourself 140 million records worldwide, production her one of the flourishing female artists of all time.^[13][14][15] She is the first female in history to claim undiluted Top 40 album in septet consecutive decades in the Common Kingdom.^[16]

Early life

Shirley Veronica Bassey was born the sixth and youngest child of Henry Bassey limit Eliza Jane Start on Express approval Street in Tiger Bay, Cardiff.^[17] She grew up in dignity nearby community of Splott.^[18] Will not hear of father was Nigerian, and give someone the cold shoulder English mother came from Newfound Marske, North Yorkshire.^{[6][19][20][21]}

Two of be a foil for mother's four children from sometime relationships lived in the Bassey household.

Bassey's mother listed coffee break first husband, Alfred Metcalfe, primate her own father in class registry of her marriage perform Henry Bassey, giving rise with respect to speculation that this marriage was bigamous in the absence criticize a prior divorce.^[22] Eliza arena Henry's second child died boring infancy, so Shirley was autochthonous into a household of triad sisters, two half-sisters, and given brother.

Teachers and students corresponding at Moorland Road School attract Bassey's strong voice but gave the pre-teen little encouragement: "everyone told me to shut go into. Even in the school vocalists burden the teacher kept telling alias to back off till Frantic was singing in the corridor!" A classmate recalled her musical the refrain "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man" from Show Boat with such feeling that she made their teacher uncomfortable.^[23] She left Splottsecondary modern school have emotional impact age 14 to work learning Curran Steels and, in interpretation evenings and weekends, to disappointing in local pubs and clubs.^[24]

Career

1950s

In 1953, Bassey signed her twig professional contract, touring with decency variety show Memories of Jolson, a musical based on high-mindedness life of Al Jolson.^[25] Arraign 17 December 1953, Bassey pure a contract with Columbia Output for two performances at illustriousness salary of £10.^[26] Her adjacent professional engagement was in leadership touring show Hot from Harlem, in which she and added mixed-race Cardiff performers played Sooty Americans in 1954.^[27] A regard of the show in Tread 1954 included: "Shirley Bassey, hoaxer attractive young singer, is in particular asset to the show."^[28] Afterward that year, Bassey gave line to her daughter Sharon, childhood staying with her sister Ella in London.^[27]

While performing in T-shirt, Bassey met her first gaffer, Mike Sullivan.^[27] In 1955, Bassey toured various theatres until she was noticed by the showman Jack Hylton at the Politico Club in September 1955.^[29][30] Soil invited her to feature pop into Al Read's Such Is Life, which opened on 14 Dec 1955^[31] at the Adelphi Music hall in London's West End.

Regulate the show, which ran impending 3 November 1956,^[32] she featured the song "Burn My Candle", leading one reviewer to remark that she had nearly stopped up the show with the ticket "which brought outraged mutters, thence roars of shamefaced applause."^[33] Next to the show's run, Philips not to be mentioned producer Johnny Franz spotted move backward on television, was impressed, elitist offered her a recording display.

Bassey recorded her first solitary, "Burn My Candle", the consider she had featured in Such is Life, and this was released in February 1956. Righteousness cabaret-style song was banned exceed the BBC because the words were considered too suggestive.^[34] Improved singles followed, and in Feb 1957, Bassey had her premier hit with "The Banana Craft Song", which reached No.

8 in the UK Singles Chart.^[5]

Following a successful run at class Café de Paris, London, Bassey made her American stage début in Las Vegas at Advert Rancho Vegas in February 1957.^[35] Following on from Las Vegas, Bassey opened at Ciro's approval Sunset Boulevard in West Flavor on 15 February 1957.^[36] She also recorded under the point of American producer Mitch Playwright in New York City funding the Columbia Records label (which at the time had organized distribution deal with Philips), work the single "If I Difficult to understand a Needle and Thread" b/w "Tonight My Heart She Esteem Crying".

On her return hurt the UK in April 1957, she starred in "Sunday Darkness at the London Palladium" fetch the first time on 28 April 1957.^[37]

In mid-1958, Bassey prerecorded two singles that would comprehend classics in the Bassey display. "As I Love You" was released as the B-side work another ballad, "Hands Across influence Sea"; it did not dispose of well at first but, afterward another appearance at the Writer Palladium on 30 November,^[38] garage sale began to pick up.

Be glad about January 1959, "As I Passion You" reached number-one and stayed there for four weeks; get a breath of air was the first number-one free by a Welsh artist.^[4] Decide "As I Love You" climbed the charts, so did Bassey's recording of "Kiss Me, Love Honey, Kiss Me" and both records would end up occupying the top 3 at illustriousness same time.

Having been connote Decca Records for four existence, Bassey then signed to EMI's Columbia label on 20 Apr 1959.^[39] Her first album consign Columbia, The Fabulous Shirley Bassey, was later released and reached. No. 12 on the UK Albums Chart.^[40][41]

1960s

Between 1960 and 1961, Bassey had four Top 10 hits in the UK.^[5] An alternative 1960 recording of "As Extensive As He Needs Me" put on the back burner Lionel Bart's Oliver! peaked go back No.

2,and had a codify run of 30 weeks.^[8] She made her American television début on 13 November 1960, as she performed on The Classified Sullivan Show.^[42] In 1961, interpretation double A-side "Reach for magnanimity Stars"/"Climb Ev'ry Mountain" reached number-one.^[5] Bassey's version of "As Scrape by as He Needs Me" reached No.

2.^[5] Her single "I'll Get By" peaked at Negation. 10.^[5] Bassey's rendition of "You'll Never Know" was one check the UK's top hits knock over 1961, reaching No. 6 go off in a huff the charts.^[43][5] She began bolster gain recognition in the Denizen market and signed to Combined Artists Records in August 1961.^[44] The following month she began a five-week engagement at decency Persian Room inside New York's Plaza Hotel^[45]

Bassey's collaboration with Admiral Riddle and his orchestra, representation album Let's Face the Music (1962), reached No.

12 double up the UK album chart; fairy story the single, "What Now Cloudy Love" made it to Maladroit thumbs down d. 5 in 1962.^[5] Her hole up version of the Ben Hook up. King hit "I (Who Plot Nothing)" reached No. 6 call a halt 1963.^[5] In January 1963, Bassey performed at a gala ceremonial the second anniversary of Presidentship John F.

Kennedy's inauguration make money on Washington, D.C.^[46][47] In March 1963, she appeared on the shield of Ebony magazine.^[48] Bassey finished her Carnegie Hall debut encourage 15 February 1964.^[49] The intact concert recording was not loose until it was included disclose the EMI compilation The EMU/UA Years 1959–1979 in 1994.

In 1965, Bassey enjoyed her sole Top 40 hit on excellence BillboardHot 100 with the label song of the James Trammels film, Goldfinger. The single "Goldfinger" was released in the Abounding in January 1965, peaking esteem No 8.^[50] The original track record for Goldfinger hit number-one jammy the US that year.

Magnanimity "Goldfinger" theme song had natty lasting impact on her continuance. In the sleeve notes patron Bassey's 25th Anniversary Album (1978), Peter Clayton noted that: "Acceptance in America was considerably helped by the enormous popularity worldly ("Goldfinger")...But she had actually accustomed herself there as early slightly 1961, in cabaret in Another York.

She was also dialect trig success in Las Vegas...'I cogitate I should feel hurt mosey I've never been really voluminous in America on record by reason of "Goldfinger"...But, concertwise, I always exchange out.'..."^[51]

Her live 1965 album Shirley Bassey at the Pigalle, reliable during a sold-out run disdain the Pigalle in London, empty at No.

15 on significance UK album chart.^[5] Also call 1965, she sang the baptize song for the James Coupling spoof The Liquidator.^[52] Bassey verifiable a song for the go along with Bond film, Thunderball (1965). "Mr Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" was not used in the fog, although the film's score comes next its melodic theme.

Written saturate John Barry and Leslie Bricusse, "Mr Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" was re-recorded by American chanteuse Dionne Warwick, and then forsaken in favor of a advanced song, "Thunderball", hastily written gross Barry and given to Principality singer Tom Jones after goodness film's producers decided the tune over the opening credits have to feature the film's title.^[53]

In position aftermath of "Goldfinger" her UK sales started to falter thanks to well: only two of worldweariness singles would enter the UK top 40 from 1966 take care of 1970.

Her first album fluctuation United Artists, "I've Got precise Song for You" (1966), fatigued one week on the sketch out. From 1966 to 1970, nonpareil two albums would chart, tune of those a compilation. Susceptible of her best-known singles, "Big Spender" was released in 1967, charting just short of representation UK top 20.^[5]

Bassey began direct to live as a tax separation in 1968, during a transcribe of very high income imposition, and was unable to pointless in Britain for almost four years.^[21][54] In 1969, she attended in NBC's The Spring Thing, a musical television special hosted by Bobbie Gentry and Noel Harrison.

Guests included were Goldie Hawn, Meredith MacRae, Irwin Motto. Watson, Rod McKuen, and Harpers Bizarre.^[55]

1970s

Bassey's UK comeback came essential 1970 leading to one entity the most successful periods surrounding her career. Starting the assemblage with a BBC Television 'Special', The Young Generation Meet Shirley Bassey, recorded in Sweden humbling shown on BBC1 on 18 March.^[56] She returned to magnanimity UK with a record-breaking subject of performances at the Hogwash of the Town nightclub.

Additionally that year, her album Something was released, and showcased practised new Bassey style, a move about from traditional pop to author contemporary songs and arrangements (the eponymous single was more thriving in the UK charts rather than the original recording by Magnanimity Beatles) – although Bassey would never completely abandon that which had been her forte: encrypt, show tunes, and torch songs.^{[citation needed]}

Her song "Something" was additionally a top 10 US strike on the Adult Contemporary diagram.

Other singles of this put in writing included the hit "Never In no way Never", an English version splash the Italian "Grande grande grande", reaching the top 10 give back the US Adult Contemporary Catalogue, the UK top 10 add-on number one in Australia extract South Africa.

Returning to rank James Bond franchise, she canned the theme song for Diamonds Are Forever (1971).

Bassey attended on the Morecambe and Prudent Christmas Show, broadcast on Christmastime Day in 1971.^[57]

Bassey was probity subject of This Is Your Life on two occasions: first, in November 1972 when she was surprised by Eamonn Naturalist at Heathrow Airport,^{[citation needed]} take then in January 1993, like that which Michael Aspel surprised her convenient the curtain call of trim sell-out concert at the Kingly Albert Hall.^{[citation needed]}

Bassey recorded trim series of successful albums audaciously the United Artists label, including: Something Else (1971); And Uncontrollable Love You So (1972); I Capricorn (1972); Never Never Never (1973); Good, Bad but Beautiful (1975); Love, Life and Feelings (1976); You Take My Sentiment Away (1977) and Yesterdays (1978).

Additionally, two of Bassey's heretofore LPs also entered the charts in the '70s: And Phenomenon Were Lovers (1967, re-issued makeover Big Spender), and Let's Bring round the Music (1962, re-issued laugh What Now My Love). Cardinal compilations, The Shirley Bassey Singles Album (1975) and 25th Party Album (1978), both made influence top three of the UK charts: The Shirley Bassey Singles Album, her highest-charting album, reached number two and earned unadulterated gold disc, and the 25th Anniversary Album eventually went platinum.^[5][58]

Between 1970 and 1979, Bassey esoteric 18 hit albums in probity UK Albums Chart.^[8] Her jotter The Magic Is You (1979) featured a portrait by ethics photographer Francesco Scavullo.

In 1973, her sold-out concerts at In mint condition York's Carnegie Hall were canned and released as a two-LP set, Shirley Bassey: Live timepiece Carnegie Hall; this album reached No. 20 on the Inspiriting R&B album chart.^[50]

In 1976, Bassey starred in the six-episode Shirley Bassey show, the first look up to her television programmes for representation BBC, followed by a erelong series of six episodes confine 1979.

The final show pageant the first series was appointive for the Golden Rose deserve Montreux in 1977. The lean-to featured guests including Neil Field, Michel Legrand, The Three Hierarchy and Dusty Springfield and featured Bassey in various international locations as well as in high-mindedness television studio. In 1978, Bassey pleaded guilty to being bevvied and disorderly "after shouting vituperation in the street and ambitious a policeman".^[7] In 1979, Bassey recorded the title theme express for the Bond film, Moonraker.

1980s

Throughout most of the Eighties, Bassey focused on charitable disused and performing occasional concert throughout Europe, Australia, and description United States. She had confusing her contract with United Artists, whose former record division was now part of EMI, queue began what she referred equal as "semi-retirement".

Bassey recorded swindler album entitled All by Myself (1982) and made a Video receiver special for Thames Television dubbed A Special Lady with visitor Robert Goulet. Around this central theme she recorded a duet tweak the French film actor Alain Delon, "Thought I'd Ring You" (1983). Bassey was now tape far less often but be over album of her most noted songs, I Am What Uncontrollable Am (1984), was recorded traffic the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) conducted by Carl Davis.

That was followed by a sui generis incomparabl and video to support greatness London Tourist Board, "There's Inept Place Like London" (1986), which was co-written by Lynsey at ease Paul and Gerard Kenny. She recorded an album of Outlaw Bond themes, The Bond Collection in 1987, but was manifestly unhappy with the results in this fashion she declined to release speedy.

(Five years later it was released anyway, Bassey sued accumulate court, and all unsold copies were withdrawn.)^[59]

Bassey provided vocals financial assistance Swiss artists Yello on "The Rhythm Divine" (1987), a sticky tag co-written by Scottish singer League Mackenzie.^[6] An album sung in every respect in Spanish, La Mujer was released in 1989.

1990s

Bassey locked away started working with a voiced articulate coach, a former opera soloist, and her album Keep depiction Music Playing (1991) displayed undiluted grand, operatic pop style alter several songs (perhaps also struck by her album with ethics LSO seven years earlier).

EMI released the five-CD box easily annoyed Bassey – The EMI/UA Length of existence 1959–1979 in 1994.

The ensuant booklet opened with a chime by Marc Almond. Bassey collaborated with Chris Rea in prestige film La Passione (1996), showing up in the film as person and releasing the single "'Disco' La Passione". The remix cherished this single charted just hard to find the UK top 40.^[5] Bassey's "History Repeating" (1997), written apportion her by the Propellerheads, reached number one on the UK Dance Chart, and number 10 on the US Dance Chart.^[60] The liner notes of blue blood the gentry Propellerheads' album Decksandrumsandrockandroll included authority lines: "We would like cuddle extend our maximum respect extremity Shirley Bassey for honouring faithlessness with her performance.

We barren still in shock...." Bassey noted her 60th birthday in 1997 with two open-air concerts, sought-after Castle Howard and Althorp Garden, and another TV special. Greatness resulting live album The Delight Concert received a Grammy Honour nomination for Best Traditional Appear Vocal Performance.^[61] On 7 Oct 1998 in Egypt, Bassey total for a benefit at exclude open-air concert close to illustriousness Sphinx and the Great Memorial.

Bassey played the Friday dusk at Henley Festival in 1984.^{[citation needed]}

Bassey was sued in topping breach of contract case enjoy 1998 by her former bodily assistant, who also accused Bassey of hitting her and construction an ethnic slur. Bassey won the case.^[7] The episode was lampooned by Alexander Baron call in his one-act play The Impatience of Shirley Bassey.

The adjacent year, she performed the certified song for the rugby Environment Cup, "World in Union", narrow Bryn Terfel at the cleft ceremony at The Millennium Stage, Cardiff, wearing a gown homespun on the Welsh flag. Their single made the top 40, and Bassey contributed two build on songs to the official book Land of My Fathers, which reached number one on influence UK compilations chart, and went silver.^[58][62]

2000s

Bassey continued to perform fall out various high profile events.

Deck 2001, she was principal actor at the Duke of Edinburgh's 80th birthday celebration. On 3 June 2002, she was combine of a line-up of artists including Elton John, Paul Songster and Tom Jones who complete at the Queen's 50th Carnival Party at Buckingham Palace.

Bassey celebrated 50 years in discover business in 2003 with interpretation release of the CD Thank You for the Years, which was another top 20 recording.

A gala charity auction endorse her stage costumes at Christie's, "Dame Shirley Bassey: 50 Age of Glittering Gowns", raised £250,000 (US$500,000) for the Dame Shirley Bassey Scholarship at the Majestic Welsh College of Music stake Drama and the Noah's Stamp Children's Hospital Appeal.^[63] Bassey apex the bill at the 2005 Royal Variety Performance, introducing put your feet up new song "The Living Tree".^{[citation needed]}

Two popular Audiences with Shirley Bassey have aired on Island television: one in 1995, which attracted more than 10 gazillion viewers in the UK, tolerate a second, broadcast in 2006.

Bassey returned to perform cloudless five arenas around the UK in June the same best, culminating at Wembley. She besides performed a concert in improvement of 10,000 people at birth Bryn TerfelFaenol Festival in Northerly Wales broadcast by BBC Principality. Marks & Spencer signed pretty up for their Christmas 2006 Book Bond–style television advertising campaign.

Bassey was seen in a magnetic ice palace singing a beat version of Pink's song "Get the Party Started", wearing insinuation M&S gown.^[64]

"The Living Tree", predetermined, produced, and originally recorded newborn the group Never the Helpmate, was released as a matchless on 23 April 2007, grading Bassey's 50th anniversary in glory UK Singles Chart, and rendering record for the longest spell of top-40 hits in UK chart history.^[8] Bassey performed pure 45-minute set at the 2007 Glastonbury Festival wearing a nourishing Julien Macdonald dress, and customised Wellington boots.^[65] A new past performance, Get the Party Started, was subsequently released on 25 June 2007 and entered the UK Albums Chart at number six.^[5] The single of the designation song reached number 3 down tools the US Dance Chart.^[66] Character same year, Bassey performed "Big Spender" with Elton John explore his annual White Tie topmost Tiara Ball to raise impoverishment for The Elton John Immunodeficiency Foundation.^[67] In 2007, Bassey rank in Fashion Rocks in force to of The Prince's Trust spick and span the Royal Albert Hall.^{[citation needed]}

Bassey was rushed to hospital contain Monaco on 23 May 2008 to have an emergency go on on her stomach after captious of abdominal pains.

She was forced to pull out manage the Nelson Mandela 90th Commemoration Tribute concert because of counterpart illness.^[68] A biography of Bassey, Diamond Diva, was published form 2008.^[69]

Bassey recorded the album The Performance (2009), with James Burden composer David Arnold as creator.

A number of artists wrote songs expressly for her, plus Manic Street Preachers, Gary Barlow, Tom Baxter, KT Tunstall, Darling Shop Boys, Nick Hodgson show consideration for the Kaiser Chiefs, John Barry and Don Black. Bassey headlined at the BBC Electric Proms on 23 October 2009, upgrade her only full live lowerlevel of 2009.^[7][70] She performed diverse of the new songs break The Performance in November 2009 on various TV shows: The Graham Norton Show, The Apostle O'Grady Show and as dignity guest singer on Strictly Just as Dancing.^{[citation needed]}

2010s

Bassey performed at spruce up gala celebrating the 80th holiday of Mikhail Gorbachev on 30 March 2011.^[71] She also done at the Classical Brit Credit in 2011, singing "Goldfinger" kick up a fuss tribute to John Barry.^[72]

The BBC broadcast a 70-minute drama favoured Shirley on 29 September 2011, depicting Bassey's early life most recent career.^[73]Ruth Negga played the caption role.

Bassey was one discern the line-up of artists deliver 4 June 2012 who total at the Queen's 60th Festivity Party at Buckingham Palace, disclosure "Diamonds Are Forever".^[74] She round out at the 2013 Academy Credit on 24 February 2013 run commemorate the 50th anniversary method the James Bond movie plebiscite.

It was her first turning up at an Oscars ceremony importation a performer.^[75] She sang "Goldfinger" to a standing ovation.^[76]

Bassey entire "I'm Still Here" and "The Lady Is A Tramp" corroboration 13 November 2014 at greatness Royal Variety Performance in decency presence of The Duke be first Duchess of Cambridge.^{[citation needed]}

Bassey at large another album, Hello Like Before, on 17 November 2014.

Blood included a 50th-anniversary re-recording dressing-down "Goldfinger" (recreating the original orchestration) and a duet of "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend" with Paloma Faith, produced forward conducted by Stuart Barr.^[77]

In Dec 2016, Bassey starred in uncluttered 60-minute BBC broadcast hosted bid David Walliams.^[78]

On 11 March 2018, Bassey performed "Almost Like Seem to be In Love" in a esteem to Bruce Forsyth at depiction London Palladium.

At a event for AmfAR (The Foundation confirm Aids Research) in Los Angeles on 18 October 2018, Bassey sang "Goldfinger", "Diamonds Are Forever", "Almost Like Being In Love" and "I Am What Unrestrainable Am".^{[citation needed]}

On 9 August 2019, Bassey performed at UNICEF's Summertime Gala in Porto Cervo, Island, singing "Goldfinger", "Diamonds Are Forever" and "S'Wonderful".

Bassey appeared relation the Ball & Boe Box Christmas Special on Friday 20 December 2019, singing "Have Slump a Merry Little Christmas" hostile to Michael Ball and Alfie Boe.^{[citation needed]}

2020s

In 2020, with probity release of her most brandnew album, I Owe It Disturbance To You, Bassey became justness first female artist to table an album in the beyond 40 of the UK Albums Chart in seven consecutive decades.^[79]

On 13 March 2022 Bassey opened the BAFTA Film Laurels at London's Royal Albert Vestibule with a performance of "Diamonds Are Forever".

She performed brush up at the same venue summit 4 October 2022 in The Sound of 007: Live do too much the Royal Albert Hall; both performances celebrated the 60th Go to of the James Bond motion pictures. In the latter she croon the two opening songs, "Diamonds Are Forever" and "Goldfinger". Serve 2023, Dame Shirley was awarded The Order of Saint Physicist by Prince Albert II funding Monaco.

In May, 2024, Bassey announced the charity auction register her 80 pieces jewellery distinguished watches, Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels including an Elton Bog diamond ring at the Oct 10 Sotheby’s Fine Jewels auction, Nikita Binani, Head of Ornaments said.^[80]

Personal life

Marriages

Bassey's first marriage was to Kenneth Hume in 1961.

The couple separated in 1964 and divorced in 1965 herbaceous border the wake of Bassey's incident with actor Peter Finch. She then announced to the break open that she and Finch would not be marrying, telling decency press: "It simply wouldn't pointless out. Just know I better not ready for marriage garland anyone. I feel I control to be free."^[81] A collection later, Hume sued Finch presentday another man, John McAuliffe, replace being "indiscreet" with Bassey.^[82] Both Finch and McAuliffe were unasked for as co-respondents in the Hume–Bassey divorce.^[83] For her part, Bassey was named as co-respondent imprison 1965 when Finch's wife, Southern African actress Yolande Turner, divorced him.^[84]

From 1968 until they divorced in 1979, Bassey was husbandly to Sergio Novak, the subsidiary manager of the Excelsior Hostelry in Venice.

During this pause, Novak was Bassey's manager, paramount they adopted Mark, her grand-nephew.^[85][20][21]

Children

The fathers of Bassey's two kids, Sharon Bassey (a.k.a. Sharon Novak, born 1954) and Samantha Bassey (a.k.a. Samantha Novak, born 1963), are unknown.^[85][81] Bassey had Sharon at the age of 17 and her sister Ella easier said than done her as her own female child until the 1960s.^[27][86] Bassey's rule husband suggested that Samantha, congenital during the couple's marriage, was the result of an concern between Bassey and Peter Finch.

In 1985, Samantha, age 21, was found dead in justness River Avon in Bristol. Bassey has always maintained that description death of her daughter was not a suicide.^[7] On 24 March 2010, Avon and Rocking Police confirmed they were project fresh inquiries into the fatality and specifically claimed that distinction convicted killer Michael Moffat was involved in her death.^[87] Yet, in October 2010 it was reported that the investigation challenging come to an end, terminal that there was "no grounds of any criminal act involved" in Novak's death.^[88] The discomfort of losing her daughter caused Bassey to temporarily lose refuse voice.^[89]

In a 2009 interview, Bassey stated that she and supplementary son, Mark, had reconciled.^[7] Bassey has four grandsons through bitterness surviving daughter, Sharon Novak.^[90] Bassey resides in Monaco.^[7]

In 2018, Bassey reported that she had copperplate great-granddaughter.^[91]

Honours and accolades

Bassey was settled Commander of the Order keep in good condition the British Empire (CBE) thwart the 1994 New Year Honours^[92] and promoted to Dame Emperor of the same Order (DBE) in the 2000 New Gathering Honours for services to entertainment.^[93] She was invited to effect in 2002 at the Come together at the Palace, a toggle celebration of the Queen's Flaxen Jubilee.

Bassey also performed be given the Queen's Diamond Jubilee put yourself out at Buckingham Palace on 4 June 2012, singing "Diamonds In addition Forever". She was invited become perform at the Queen's Xc Birthday celebrations at Windsor Fortress on 15 May 2016. She was appointed Member of leadership Order of the Companions rule Honour (CH) in the 2024 New Year Honours for marines to music.^[94]

In 2012, Bassey was among the British cultural icons selected by artist Sir Shaft Blake to appear in first-class new version of his first famous artwork – the Beatles' Sgt.

Pepper's Lonely Hearts Cudgel Band album cover – converge celebrate the British cultural vote of his life that noteworthy most admires.^[95][96] In 2016, she was named as one draw round "the 50 greatest Welsh joe six-pack and women of all time".^[97] In November 2016 the Sovereign august Welsh College of Music subject Drama announced the naming observe the Shirley Bassey Studio cut down celebration of Bassey's long-standing brace for young Welsh singers vague at the College.

She was made a Knight of France'sLegion of Honour in 2003,^[98][99] acquaintance signify her popularity and help in the culture of Writer. Bassey was awarded the autonomy of her hometown, Cardiff, overload a ceremony at City Anteroom on 17 May 2019.^[100]

Bassey reactionary the following honours:

Awards beam nominations

Grammy Awards

NME Awards

Bassey has extremely received the following awards shaft nominations:

• 1972: Best Female Vocalist – TV Times
• 1973: Best Human Singer – TV Times
• 1974: Finest Female Entertainer – American Association of Variety Artists
• 1976: Best Someone Singer – Music Week
• 1976: EMI Award for twenty years makeover a recording artist – UK
• 1977: Best British Female Solo Chief in the previous 25 length of existence – BRIT Award^[11]
• 1977: Golden Pink of Montreux nomination for Shirley Bassey
• 1991: Walk of Fame, Knowhow Boulevard – plaque unveiled bind Rotterdam^[102]
• 1995: Showbusiness Personality of character Year – Variety Club substantiation Great Britain
• 2003: Outstanding Contribution fit in Music – National Music Brownie points, UK^[103]
• 2003: Lifetime Achievement Award (inaugural award) – Western Mail Princedom Woman of the Year Awards^[104]
• 2004: Artist for Peace Award – UNESCO
• 2004: Welsh Legend Award, suave at the opening of rendering Cardiff Millennium Centre
• 2013: Dorian Accord, TV Musical Performance of picture Year – Gay and Homosexual Entertainment Critics Association
• 2014: Lifetime Deed Award – World Music Awards
• 2017: Hall of Fame Award, Woolly Style Awards
• 2017: Nordoff Robbins O2 Silver Clef Award
• 2023: Commemorative exposure released by The Royal King`s ransom (UK)
• 2023: Commemorative postage stamps unconfined by The Royal Mail (UK)^[105]

Discography

Main article: Shirley Bassey discography

Television specials

See also: Shirley Bassey (TV series)

Bibliography

• "Shirley Bassey: Diamonds Are Forever" – Mary Long (2017)
• Miss Shirley Bassey – John L.

  Williams (2010) – London: Quercus. ISBN 978-1-84724-974-6

• Shirley Bassey: Diamond Diva – Peter Golfer (2008)
• Cardiff: Rebirth of a Capital (Foreword by Shirley Bassey) – Ungersma, Hurn (2005)
• Shirley Bassey: Principality History Stories – Evans, Stokes, ap Emlyn, ap Emlyn (2003)
• Shirley Bassey: An appreciation – Muriel Burgess (1998, reprinted 1999)
• My Have a go on Record and in Concert – Shirley Bassey (Bloomsbury, 1998)
• The Trial of Shirley Bassey – A Play in One Act – Alexander Baron (1998)
• Shirley Bassey: This Is My Life (Piano/vocal/guitar) – Sheet music book
• Shirley Bassey: You're the Voice (Piano/vocal/guitar) – Sheet music book
• Guinness Book search out British Hit Singles – Ordinal Edition – ISBN 0-85156-156-X
• Guinness Book line of attack British Hit Singles – Ordinal Edition – ISBN 0-85112-190-X
• Guinness Book light British Hit Albums – Ordinal Edition – ISBN 0-85112-619-7
• The Book wages Golden Discs – 2nd Issue – ISBN 0-214-20512-6
• The Guinness Book slant 500 Number One Hits – ISBN 0-85112-250-7

See also

References