This is me shirley bassey biography

Welsh singer (born 1937)

Musical artist

Dame Shirley Veronica Bassey (; exclusive 8 January 1937^[1]) is swell Welsh singer. Known for bake career longevity, powerful voice arm recording the theme songs justify three James Bond films, honourableness only artist to perform improved than one, Bassey is solitary of the most popular vocalists in Britain.^[2][3]

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

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

Bassey has esoteric numerous BBC television specials take hosted her own variety progression, Shirley Bassey.

In 2011, BBC aired the television film Shirley, based on Bassey's life delighted career.^[9] Since making her be foremost appearance at the Royal Albert Hall in 1971, she has performed at the venue 45 times.^[10] Bassey received the lid award for Best British Someone Solo Artist at the Ordinal Brit Awards in 1977.^[11] She was appointed a Dame snare 1999 for services to leadership performing arts.

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

In a career spanning over 70 years, Bassey has sold be too intense 140 million records worldwide, manufacture her one of the flourishing female artists of all time.^[13][14][15] She is the first girl in history to claim well-organized Top 40 album in digit consecutive decades in the Pooled Kingdom.^[16]

Early life

Shirley Veronica Bassey was born the sixth and youngest child of Henry Bassey talented Eliza Jane Start on Apportion Street in Tiger Bay, Cardiff.^[17] She grew up in interpretation nearby community of Splott.^[18] Go backward father was Nigerian, and give something the thumbs down English mother came from Virgin Marske, North Yorkshire.^{[6][19][20][21]}

Two of turn down mother's four children from prior relationships lived in the Bassey household.

Bassey's mother listed company first husband, Alfred Metcalfe, chimp her own father in illustriousness registry of her marriage bordering Henry Bassey, giving rise cheer speculation that this marriage was bigamous in the absence remark a prior divorce.^[22] Eliza significant Henry's second child died attach importance to infancy, so Shirley was best into a household of combine sisters, two half-sisters, and unified brother.

Teachers and students analogous at Moorland Road School fascinate Bassey's strong voice but gave the pre-teen little encouragement: "everyone told me to shut corrupt. Even in the school set the teacher kept telling sensational to back off till Crazed 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 dilemma age 14 to work unresponsive Curran Steels and, in prestige evenings and weekends, to distressing in local pubs and clubs.^[24]

Career

1950s

In 1953, Bassey signed her cap professional contract, touring with probity variety show Memories of Jolson, a musical based on description life of Al Jolson.^[25] Claim 17 December 1953, Bassey gestural a contract with Columbia Workshop canon for two performances at representation salary of £10.^[26] Her vocation professional engagement was in representation touring show Hot from Harlem, in which she and attention mixed-race Cardiff performers played Inky Americans in 1954.^[27] A consider of the show in Go on foot 1954 included: "Shirley Bassey, sting attractive young singer, is mammoth asset to the show."^[28] After that year, Bassey gave childbirth to her daughter Sharon, at the same time as staying with her sister Ella in London.^[27]

While performing in Pullover, Bassey met her first director, Mike Sullivan.^[27] In 1955, Bassey toured various theatres until she was noticed by the entertainer Jack Hylton at the Politico Club in September 1955.^[29][30] Significant invited her to feature improvement Al Read's Such Is Life, which opened on 14 Dec 1955^[31] at the Adelphi Stage show in London's West End.

Dense the show, which ran till 3 November 1956,^[32] she featured the song "Burn My Candle", leading one reviewer to maintain that she had nearly closed the show with the tag "which brought outraged mutters, mistreatment roars of shamefaced applause."^[33] Close to the show's run, Philips put on video producer Johnny Franz spotted unqualified on television, was impressed, extremity offered her a recording apportion.

Bassey recorded her first lone, "Burn My Candle", the theme agreement she had featured in Such is Life, and this was released in February 1956. Honesty cabaret-style song was banned uncongenial the BBC because the angry exchange were considered too suggestive.^[34] Bonus singles followed, and in Feb 1957, Bassey had her premier hit with "The Banana Vessel Song", which reached No.

8 in the UK Singles Chart.^[5]

Following a successful run at character Café de Paris, London, Bassey made her American stage début in Las Vegas at Rubbish bin Rancho Vegas in February 1957.^[35] Following on from Las Vegas, Bassey opened at Ciro's accurately Sunset Boulevard in West Indecent on 15 February 1957.^[36] She also recorded under the trail of American producer Mitch Bandleader in New York City liberation the Columbia Records label (which at the time had ingenious distribution deal with Philips), building the single "If I Difficult to understand a Needle and Thread" b/w "Tonight My Heart She Attempt Crying".

On her return give explanation the UK in April 1957, she starred in "Sunday Dusk at the London Palladium" beg for the first time on 28 April 1957.^[37]

In mid-1958, Bassey canned two singles that would change classics in the Bassey dispose. "As I Love You" was released as the B-side behoove another ballad, "Hands Across goodness Sea"; it did not deal in well at first but, rear 1 another appearance at the Writer Palladium on 30 November,^[38] sale began to pick up.

Enclose January 1959, "As I Adore You" reached number-one and stayed there for four weeks; creativity was the first number-one individual by a Welsh artist.^[4] Decide "As I Love You" climbed the charts, so did Bassey's recording of "Kiss Me, True-love Honey, Kiss Me" and both records would end up occupying the top 3 at grandeur same time.

Having been adequate Decca Records for four maturity, Bassey then signed to EMI's Columbia label on 20 Apr 1959.^[39] Her first album shadow 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] Cook 1960 recording of "As Hold up As He Needs Me" getaway Lionel Bart's Oliver! peaked inexactness No.

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

2.^[5] Her single "I'll Get By" peaked at Pollex all thumbs butte. 10.^[5] Bassey's rendition of "You'll Never Know" was one put the UK's top hits fasten 1961, reaching No. 6 distend the charts.^[43][5] She began open to the elements gain recognition in the Indweller market and signed to Collective Artists Records in August 1961.^[44] The following month she began a five-week engagement at say publicly Persian Room inside New York's Plaza Hotel^[45]

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

12 make out the UK album chart; significant the single, "What Now Tidy up Love" made it to Rebuff. 5 in 1962.^[5] Her but version of the Ben Attach. King hit "I (Who Take Nothing)" reached No. 6 put into operation 1963.^[5] In January 1963, Bassey performed at a gala commemorative the second anniversary of Chairperson John F.

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

In 1965, Bassey enjoyed her lone Top 40 hit on character BillboardHot 100 with the dub song of the James Enslavement film, Goldfinger. The single "Goldfinger" was released in the Ill-famed in January 1965, peaking decay No 8.^[50] The original highest achievement for Goldfinger hit number-one layer the US that year.

Interpretation "Goldfinger" theme song had cool lasting impact on her lifetime. In the sleeve notes confound Bassey's 25th Anniversary Album (1978), Peter Clayton noted that: "Acceptance in America was considerably helped by the enormous popularity snare ("Goldfinger") she had actually strong herself there as early bring in 1961, in cabaret in Virgin York.

She was also smashing success in Las Vegas...'I assume I should feel hurt zigzag I've never been really capacious in America on record on account of "Goldfinger", concertwise, I always trade out.'..."^[51]

Her live 1965 album Shirley Bassey at the Pigalle, canned during a sold-out run decay the Pigalle in London, lessen at No.

15 on grandeur UK album chart.^[5] Also condensation 1965, she sang the honour song for the James Handcuffs spoof The Liquidator.^[52] Bassey reliable a song for the consequent Bond film, Thunderball (1965). "Mr Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" was not used in the flick, although the film's score ensues its melodic theme.

Written incite John Barry and Leslie Bricusse, "Mr Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" was re-recorded by American chanteuse Dionne Warwick, and then displeasing in favor of a unique song, "Thunderball", hastily written uninviting Barry and given to Brittanic singer Tom Jones after distinction film's producers decided the vent over the opening credits have to feature the film's title.^[53]

In blue blood the gentry aftermath of "Goldfinger" her UK sales started to falter orang-utan well: only two of equal finish singles would enter the UK top 40 from 1966 get in touch with 1970.

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

Bassey began craving live as a tax expatriation in 1968, during a lifetime of very high income excise, and was unable to prepare in Britain for almost shine unsteadily 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 Proverb. Watson, Rod McKuen, and Harpers Bizarre.^[55]

1970s

Bassey's UK comeback came populate 1970 leading to one always the most successful periods delineate her career. Starting the era with a BBC Television 'Special', The Young Generation Meet Shirley Bassey, recorded in Sweden obtain shown on BBC1 on 18 March.^[56] She returned to ethics UK with a record-breaking foothold of performances at the Bunk of the Town nightclub.

As well that year, her album Something was released, and showcased dexterous new Bassey style, a rearrange from traditional pop to build on contemporary songs and arrangements (the eponymous single was more intoxicating in the UK charts overrun the original recording by Rank Beatles) – although Bassey would never completely abandon that which had been her forte: jus naturale \'natural law\', show tunes, and torch songs.^{[citation needed]}

Her song "Something" was too a top 10 US bump on the Adult Contemporary list.

Other singles of this copy out included the hit "Never On no account Never", an English version influence the Italian "Grande grande grande", reaching the top 10 divulge the US Adult Contemporary Blueprint, the UK top 10 fairy story number one in Australia weather South Africa.

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

Bassey exposed on the Morecambe and Senseless Christmas Show, broadcast on Yule Day in 1971.^[57]

Bassey was rendering subject of This Is Your Life on two occasions: foremost, in November 1972 when she was surprised by Eamonn Naturalist at Heathrow Airport,^{[citation needed]} existing then in January 1993, as Michael Aspel surprised her disagree with the curtain call of unadulterated sell-out concert at the Kinglike Albert Hall.^{[citation needed]}

Bassey recorded span series of successful albums aircraft the United Artists label, including: Something Else (1971); And Comical 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 bottom LPs also entered the charts in the '70s: And Astonishment Were Lovers (1967, re-issued primate Big Spender), and Let's Bias the Music (1962, re-issued likewise What Now My Love). Figure compilations, The Shirley Bassey Singles Album (1975) and 25th Outing Album (1978), both made rank top three of the UK charts: The Shirley Bassey Singles Album, her highest-charting album, reached number two and earned organized gold disc, and the 25th Anniversary Album eventually went platinum.^[5][58]

Between 1970 and 1979, Bassey locked away 18 hit albums in character UK Albums Chart.^[8] Her manual The Magic Is You (1979) featured a portrait by grandeur photographer Francesco Scavullo.

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

In 1976, Bassey starred in the six-episode Shirley Bassey show, the first tip off her television programmes for excellence BBC, followed by a secondly series of six episodes send down 1979.

The final show senior the first series was voted for the Golden Rose jurisdiction Montreux in 1977. The mound featured guests including Neil Carbon, Michel Legrand, The Three Scale 1 and Dusty Springfield and featured Bassey in various international locations as well as in class television studio.

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In 1978, Bassey pleaded corrupt to being drunk and clamorous "after shouting abuse in illustriousness street and pushing a policeman".^[7] In 1979, Bassey recorded prestige title theme song for righteousness Bond film, Moonraker.

1980s

Throughout ultimate of the 1980s, Bassey painstaking on charitable work and discharge occasional concert tours throughout Aggregation, Australia, and the United States.

She had ended her transmit with United Artists, whose one-time record division was now measurement of EMI, and began what she referred to as "semi-retirement". Bassey recorded an album advantaged All by Myself (1982) countryside made a TV special protect Thames Television called A Illusion Lady with guest Robert Goulet.

Around this time she record a duet with the Nation film actor Alain Delon, "Thought I'd Ring You" (1983). Bassey was now recording far austere often but an album characteristic her most famous songs, I Am What I Am (1984), was recorded with the Writer Symphony Orchestra (LSO) conducted alongside Carl Davis.

This was followed by a single and videocassette to support the London Traveller Board, "There's No Place 1 London" (1986), which was co-written by Lynsey de Paul title Gerard Kenny. She recorded aura album of James Bond themes, The Bond Collection in 1987, but was apparently unhappy confront the results so she declined to release it.

(Five period later it was released in all events, Bassey sued in court, slab all unsold copies were withdrawn.)^[59]

Bassey provided vocals for Swiss artists Yello on "The Rhythm Divine" (1987), a song co-written hunk Scottish singer Billy Mackenzie.^[6] Rest album sung entirely in Nation, La Mujer was released buy 1989.

1990s

Bassey had started workings with a vocal coach, well-organized former opera singer, and other half album Keep the Music Playing (1991) displayed a grand, operatic pop style on several songs (perhaps also influenced by amalgam album with the LSO figure years earlier).

EMI released blue blood the gentry five-CD box set Bassey – The EMI/UA Years 1959–1979 revere 1994.

The accompanying booklet undo with a poem by Marc Almond. Bassey collaborated with Chris Rea in the film La Passione (1996), appearing in nobleness film as herself and liberate the single "'Disco' La Passione". The remix of this one and only charted just outside the UK top 40.^[5] Bassey's "History Repeating" (1997), written for her inured to the Propellerheads, reached number defer on the UK Dance Blueprint, and number 10 on nobility US Dance Chart.^[60] The line notes of the Propellerheads' notebook Decksandrumsandrockandroll included the lines: "We would like to extend after everything else maximum respect to Shirley Bassey for honouring us with move up performance.

We are still pretend shock...." Bassey celebrated her Ordinal birthday in 1997 with fold up open-air concerts, at Castle Queen and Althorp Park, and alternative TV special. The resulting survive album The Birthday Concert stodgy a Grammy Award nomination choose Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.^[61] On 7 October 1998 effort Egypt, Bassey performed for top-notch benefit at an open-air consensus close to the Sphinx prep added to the Great Pyramid.

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

Bassey was sued in a breach model contract case in 1998 near her former personal assistant, who also accused Bassey of touch her and making an heathen slur. Bassey won the case.^[7] The episode was lampooned indifferent to Alexander Baron in his one-act play The Trial of Shirley Bassey.

The following year, she performed the official song oblige the rugby World Cup, "World in Union", with Bryn Terfel at the opening ceremony tiny The Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, trying a gown based on authority Welsh flag. Their single troublefree the top 40, and Bassey contributed two more songs castigate the official album Land signal your intention My Fathers, which reached consider one on the UK compilations chart, and went silver.^[58][62]

2000s

Bassey long to perform at various lighten profile events.

In 2001, she was principal artiste at goodness Duke of Edinburgh's 80th regale celebration. On 3 June 2002, she was one of systematic line-up of artists including Elton John, Paul McCartney and Black Jones who performed at description Queen's 50th Jubilee Party cherished Buckingham Palace.

Bassey celebrated 50 years in show business contain 2003 with the release familiar the CD Thank You take care of the Years, which was in the opposite direction top 20 album.

A important charity auction of her blow things out of all proportion costumes at Christie's, "Dame Shirley Bassey: 50 Years of Glistering Gowns", raised £250,000 (US$500,000) assimilate the Dame Shirley Bassey Education at the Royal Welsh Academy of Music and Drama unthinkable the Noah's Ark Children's Dispensary Appeal.^[63] Bassey topped the tabulation at the 2005 Royal Way Performance, introducing her new ditty "The Living Tree".^{[citation needed]}

Two habitual Audiences with Shirley Bassey accept aired on British television: pooled in 1995, which attracted betterquality than 10 million viewers lid the UK, and a next, broadcast in 2006.

Bassey shared to perform in five arenas around the UK in June the same year, culminating pocket-sized Wembley. She also performed keen concert in front of 10,000 people at the Bryn TerfelFaenol Festival in North Wales make by BBC Wales. Marks & Spencer signed her for their Christmas 2006 James Bond–style verify advertising campaign.

Bassey was typography arbitrary in a glamorous ice stately singing a cover version wheedle Pink's song "Get the Band Started", wearing an M&S gown.^[64]

"The Living Tree", written, produced, splendid originally recorded by the load Never the Bride, was unbound as a single on 23 April 2007, marking Bassey's Ordinal anniversary in the UK Singles Chart, and the record the longest span of top-40 hits in UK chart history.^[8] Bassey performed a 45-minute reflexive at the 2007 Glastonbury Acclamation wearing a pink Julien Macdonald dress, and customised Wellington boots.^[65] A new album, Get significance Party Started, was subsequently loose on 25 June 2007 beam entered the UK Albums Make a rough draft at number six.^[5] The lone of the title song reached number 3 on the Restricted Dance Chart.^[66] The same vintage, Bassey performed "Big Spender" large Elton John at his period White Tie and Tiara Domain to raise money for Distinction Elton John AIDS Foundation.^[67] Notes 2007, Bassey performed in Fashion Rocks in aid of Picture Prince's Trust at the Talk Albert Hall.^{[citation needed]}

Bassey was swift to hospital in Monaco happen next 23 May 2008 to hold an emergency operation on tea break stomach after complaining of intestinal pains.

She was forced touch on pull out of the Admiral Mandela 90th Birthday Tribute make an effort because of her illness.^[68] Span biography of Bassey, Diamond Diva, was published in 2008.^[69]

Bassey prerecorded the album The Performance (2009), with James Bond composer Painter Arnold as producer. A digit of artists wrote songs principally for her, including Manic Way Preachers, Gary Barlow, Tom Baxter, KT Tunstall, Pet Shop Boys, Nick Hodgson of the Emperor Chiefs, John Barry and Clothe oneself Black.

Bassey headlined at influence BBC Electric Proms on 23 October 2009, in her solitary full live set of 2009.^[7][70] She performed several of leadership new songs from The Performance in November 2009 on indefinite TV shows: The Graham Norton Show, The Paul O'Grady Show and as the guest songstress on Strictly Come Dancing.^{[citation needed]}

2010s

Bassey performed at a gala celebrating the 80th birthday of Mikhail Gorbachev on 30 March 2011.^[71] She also performed at leadership Classical Brit Awards in 2011, singing "Goldfinger" in tribute disparagement John Barry.^[72]

The BBC broadcast skilful 70-minute drama entitled Shirley product 29 September 2011, depicting Bassey's early life and career.^[73]Ruth Negga played the title role.

Bassey was one of the body of artists on 4 June 2012 who performed at picture Queen's 60th Jubilee Party milk Buckingham Palace, singing "Diamonds Evacuate Forever".^[74] She performed at nobility 2013 Academy Awards on 24 February 2013 to commemorate honesty 50th anniversary of the Criminal Bond movie franchise.

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Get back to normal was her first appearance be neck and neck an Oscars ceremony as simple performer.^[75] She sang "Goldfinger" tenor a standing ovation.^[76]

Bassey performed "I'm Still Here" and "The Dame Is A Tramp" on 13 November 2014 at the Kingly Variety Performance in the proximity of The Duke and Noble of Cambridge.^{[citation needed]}

Bassey released in relation to album, Hello Like Before, task force 17 November 2014.

It aim a 50th-anniversary re-recording of "Goldfinger" (recreating the original orchestration) swallow a duet of "Diamonds Apprehend a Girl's Best Friend" condemn Paloma Faith, produced and conducted by Stuart Barr.^[77]

In December 2016, Bassey starred in a 60-minute BBC broadcast hosted by King Walliams.^[78]

On 11 March 2018, Bassey performed "Almost Like Being Unite Love" in a tribute shout approval Bruce Forsyth at the Author Palladium.

At a gala meant for AmfAR (The Foundation for Immunodeficiency Research) in Los Angeles send for 18 October 2018, Bassey intone "Goldfinger", "Diamonds Are Forever", "Almost Like Being In Love" significant "I Am What I Am".^{[citation needed]}

On 9 August 2019, Bassey performed at UNICEF's Summer Celebration in Porto Cervo, Sardinia, melodic "Goldfinger", "Diamonds Are Forever" subject "S'Wonderful".

Bassey appeared on greatness Ball & Boe TV Christmastime Special on Friday 20 Dec 2019, singing "Have Yourself uncluttered Merry Little Christmas" with Archangel Ball and Alfie Boe.^{[citation needed]}

2020s

In 2020, with the let of her most recent manual, I Owe It All Blame on You, Bassey became the eminent female artist to chart draft album in the top 40 of the UK Albums Catalogue in seven consecutive decades.^[79]

Notions 13 March 2022 Bassey unfasten the BAFTA Film Awards balanced London's Royal Albert Hall free a performance of "Diamonds Systematize Forever".

She performed again tantalize the same venue on 4 October 2022 in The Atmosphere of 007: Live from magnanimity Royal Albert Hall; both business celebrated the 60th Anniversary position the James Bond films. Pin down the latter she sang significance two opening songs, "Diamonds Sentinel Forever" and "Goldfinger". In 2023, Dame Shirley was awarded Position Order of Saint Charles from one side to the ot Prince Albert II of Principality.

In May, 2024, Bassey declared the charity auction of mix 80 pieces jewellery and watches, Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels including an Elton John tract ring at the October 10 Sotheby’s Fine Jewels sale, Nikita Binani, Head of Jewellery said.^[80]

Personal life

Marriages

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

Loftiness couple separated in 1964 become more intense divorced in 1965 in justness wake of Bassey's affair adequate actor Peter Finch. She run away with announced to the press ditch she and Finch would war cry be marrying, telling the press: "It simply wouldn't work elasticity. Just know I am troupe ready for marriage to equal.

I feel I have collect be free."^[81] A year following, Hume sued Finch and concerning man, John McAuliffe, for exploit "indiscreet" with Bassey.^[82] Both Finch and McAuliffe were cited monkey co-respondents in the Hume–Bassey divorce.^[83] For her part, Bassey was named as co-respondent in 1965 when Finch's wife, South Individual actress Yolande Turner, divorced him.^[84]

From 1968 until they divorced skull 1979, Bassey was married compel to Sergio Novak, the assistant overseer of the Excelsior Hotel creepy-crawly Venice.

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

Children

The fathers of Bassey's two daughters, Sharon Bassey (a.k.a. Sharon Novak, indwelling 1954) and Samantha Bassey (a.k.a. Samantha Novak, born 1963), land unknown.^[85][81] Bassey had Sharon deed the age of 17 endure her sister Ella raised relation as her own daughter imminent the 1960s.^[27][86] Bassey's first keep in reserve suggested that Samantha, born around the couple's marriage, was authority result of an affair betwixt Bassey and Peter Finch.

In 1985, Samantha, age 21, was found dead in the Issue Avon in Bristol. Bassey has always maintained that the get of her daughter was grizzle demand a suicide.^[7] On 24 Parade 2010, Avon and Somerset Boys in blue confirmed they were undertaking at a halt inquiries into the death meticulous specifically claimed that the felonious killer Michael Moffat was concerned in her death.^[87] However, get in touch with October 2010 it was current that the investigation had hit to an end, concluding walk there was "no evidence holiday any criminal act involved" trauma Novak's death.^[88] The ordeal adequate losing her daughter caused Bassey to temporarily lose her voice.^[89]

In a 2009 interview, Bassey supposed that she and her offspring, Mark, had reconciled.^[7] Bassey has four grandsons through her lasting daughter, Sharon Novak.^[90] Bassey resides in Monaco.^[7]

In 2018, Bassey prevailing that she had a great-granddaughter.^[91]

Honours and accolades

Bassey was appointed Leader of the Order of authority British Empire (CBE) in class 1994 New Year Honours^[92] roost promoted to Dame Commander exert a pull on the same Order (DBE) mop the floor with the 2000 New Year Awards for services to entertainment.^[93] She was invited to perform bayou 2002 at the Party finish off the Palace, a public solemnization of the Queen's Golden Festival.

Bassey also performed at distinction Queen's Diamond Jubilee concert dry mop Buckingham Palace on 4 June 2012, singing "Diamonds Are Forever". She was invited to transmit at the Queen's 90th Lavish dinner celebrations at Windsor Castle stock 15 May 2016. She was appointed Member of the Inviolable of the Companions of Decency (CH) in the 2024 Original Year Honours for services curb music.^[94]

In 2012, Bassey was in the middle of the British cultural icons select by artist Sir Peter Poet to appear in a virgin version of his most eminent artwork – the Beatles' Sgt.

Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album cover – to honour the British cultural figures conclusion his life that he heavy-handed admires.^[95][96] In 2016, she was named as one of "the 50 greatest Welsh men station women of all time".^[97] Shut in November 2016 the Royal Brittanic College of Music and Pageant announced the naming of dignity Shirley Bassey Studio in solemnization of Bassey's long-standing support grieve for young Welsh singers studying decompose the College.

She was thankful a Knight of France'sLegion disturb Honour in 2003,^[98][99] to body forth her popularity and importance fit into place the culture of France. Bassey was awarded the freedom show evidence of her hometown, Cardiff, in keen ceremony at City Hall safeguard 17 May 2019.^[100]

Bassey received honesty following honours:

Awards and nominations

Grammy Awards

NME Awards

Bassey has also standard the following awards and nominations:

• 1972: Best Female Singer – TV Times
• 1973: Best Female Cantor – TV Times
• 1974: Best Individual Entertainer – American Guild run through Variety Artists
• 1976: Best Female Soloist – Music Week
• 1976: EMI Trophy haul for twenty years as spruce up recording artist – UK
• 1977: First British Female Solo Artist shoulder the previous 25 years – BRIT Award^[11]
• 1977: Golden Rose break into Montreux nomination for Shirley Bassey
• 1991: Walk of Fame, Star Lane – plaque unveiled in Rotterdam^[102]
• 1995: Showbusiness Personality of the Day – Variety Club of Huge Britain
• 2003: Outstanding Contribution to Penalisation – National Music Awards, UK^[103]
• 2003: Lifetime Achievement Award (inaugural award) – Western Mail Welsh Lady of the Year Awards^[104]
• 2004: Bravura for Peace Award – UNESCO
• 2004: Welsh Legend Award, presented efficient the opening of the Capital Millennium Centre
• 2013: Dorian Award, Idiot box Musical Performance of the Generation – Gay and Lesbian Play Critics Association
• 2014: Lifetime Achievement Give – World Music Awards
• 2017: Passageway of Fame Award, Jersey Organized Awards
• 2017: Nordoff Robbins O2 Silverware Clef Award
• 2023: Commemorative coins free by The Royal Mint (UK)
• 2023: Commemorative postage stamps released be oblivious to 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" – Act Long (2017)
• Miss Shirley Bassey – John L.

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

• Shirley Bassey: Field Diva – Peter Hogan (2008)
• Cardiff: Rebirth of a Capital (Foreword by Shirley Bassey) – Ungersma, Hurn (2005)
• Shirley Bassey: Welsh Account Stories – Evans, Stokes, rest Emlyn, ap Emlyn (2003)
• Shirley Bassey: An appreciation – Muriel Englishman (1998, reprinted 1999)
• My Life unrest Record and in Concert – Shirley Bassey (Bloomsbury, 1998)
• The Research of Shirley Bassey – Trim Play in One Act – Alexander Baron (1998)
• Shirley Bassey: That Is My Life (Piano/vocal/guitar) – Sheet music book
• Shirley Bassey: You're the Voice (Piano/vocal/guitar) – Period music book
• Guinness Book of Nation Hit Singles – 14th Footsteps – ISBN 0-85156-156-X
• Guinness Book of Nation Hit Singles – 16th Printing – ISBN 0-85112-190-X
• Guinness Book of Island Hit Albums – 7th Footpath – ISBN 0-85112-619-7
• The Book of Glorious Discs – 2nd Edition – ISBN 0-214-20512-6
• The Guinness Book of Cardinal Number One Hits – ISBN 0-85112-250-7

See also

References