Shirley Bassey facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dame Shirley Bassey CH DBE
Bassey in 1971
Background information
Birth name	Shirley Veronica Bassey
Born	(1937-01-08) 8 January 1937 (age 88) Cardiff, Wales
Genres	Pop jazz
Occupation(s)	Singer
Years active	1953–present
Labels	Philips Columbia Decca United Artists Geffen

Dame Shirley Veronica Bassey (born 8 January 1937) is a famous singer from Wales. She is known for her powerful voice and for singing the theme songs for three James Bond movies. No other artist has sung more than one! Shirley Bassey is one of the most popular singers in Britain.

She was born in Cardiff and started singing when she was a teenager in 1953. In 1959, she became the first Welsh person to have a number-one song in the UK Singles Chart. Over the years, Bassey had 27 songs in the UK's top 40. Two of these songs, "As I Love You" and "Climb Ev'ry Mountain"/"Reach for the Stars", reached number one. She also had a number one on the Dance Chart with "History Repeating".

Shirley Bassey is especially famous for singing the theme songs for the James Bond films: Goldfinger (1964), Diamonds Are Forever (1971), and Moonraker (1979).

She has appeared in many BBC television shows and even had her own series called Shirley Bassey. In 2011, a TV movie called Shirley was made about her life. She has performed at the Royal Albert Hall 45 times since 1971. In 1977, she won the first award for Best British Female Solo Artist at the 1st Brit Awards. She was made a Dame in 1999 for her amazing contributions to music. In 2003, she was named one of the "100 Great Black Britons". Her song "Goldfinger" was added to the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2008. Many other singers, like Aretha Franklin, have been inspired by her.

Shirley Bassey's career has lasted over 70 years. She has sold more than 140 million records around the world, making her one of the best-selling female artists ever. She is also the first woman to have a Top 40 album in the United Kingdom for seven decades in a row!

Growing Up in Cardiff

Shirley Veronica Bassey was the youngest of six children. She was born in Tiger Bay, Cardiff. Her father was from Nigeria, and her mother was from Teesside, England. Shirley grew up in a nearby area called Splott.

Even when she was young, teachers and friends noticed Shirley's strong voice. But they didn't always encourage her. She once said, "everyone told me to shut up. Even in the school choir the teacher kept telling me to back off till I was singing in the corridor!" When she was 14, she left school to work at a steel factory. In the evenings and on weekends, she sang in local pubs and clubs.

Shirley Bassey's Music Career

Starting Out in the 1950s

In 1953, Shirley Bassey signed her first professional contract. She went on tour with a show called Memories of Jolson. Later that year, she signed another contract for two performances. In 1954, she toured in a show called Hot from Harlem. People noticed her talent, with one review calling her "an attractive young singer."

In 1955, a famous show producer named Jack Hylton saw her perform. He invited her to be in a show called Such Is Life in London's West End. During this show, a record producer from Philips saw her on TV and offered her a recording deal. Her first song, "Burn My Candle," was released in 1956. It was even banned by the BBC because its lyrics were thought to be too daring!

In 1957, Bassey had her first big hit with "The Banana Boat Song". It reached No. 8 in the UK. She then performed in Las Vegas, USA, for the first time. She also recorded songs in New York City. When she returned to the UK, she appeared on the famous "Sunday Night at the London Palladium" show.

In 1958, she recorded "As I Love You." This song became her first number-one single in January 1959. It was also the first number-one song by a Welsh artist! At the same time, her song "Kiss Me, Honey Honey, Kiss Me" was also very popular. Soon after, Bassey signed with EMI's Columbia label. Her album The Fabulous Shirley Bassey reached No. 12 on the UK charts.

Success in the 1960s

Between 1960 and 1961, Shirley Bassey had four songs in the UK Top 10. Her song "As Long As He Needs Me" reached No. 2. In 1961, her double song "Reach for the Stars"/"Climb Ev'ry Mountain" reached number one. She also started to become known in America.

In 1962, her album Let's Face the Music was a hit. Her song "What Now My Love" reached No. 5. In 1963, her version of "I (Who Have Nothing)" reached No. 6. She performed for President John F. Kennedy in Washington, D.C. She also appeared on the cover of Ebony magazine. In 1964, she performed at Carnegie Hall in New York for the first time.

In 1965, Bassey had her only Top 40 hit in the US with the theme song for the James Bond film, Goldfinger. This song became a huge part of her career. The Goldfinger soundtrack also reached number one in the US. Even though she didn't have many more US hits, her concerts there were always sold out.

Her live album Shirley Bassey at the Pigalle (1965) was also popular in the UK. She sang the title song for another Bond movie, Thunderball (1965), but it wasn't used in the film.

After "Goldfinger," her UK sales slowed down for a few years. However, her famous song "Big Spender" was released in 1967. In 1968, she started living outside Britain for a while because of high taxes.

The 1970s Comeback

Bassey performing in West Germany in 1973

Shirley Bassey made a big comeback in the UK in 1970. This started one of the most successful times in her career. She had a BBC TV special and performed many sold-out shows. Her album Something was released that year. It showed a new style for Bassey, mixing traditional pop with more modern songs. Her song "Something" was a top 10 hit in the US. Another hit was "Never Never Never", which was popular in the UK, Australia, and South Africa.

She returned to the James Bond series, recording the theme song for Diamonds Are Forever (1971). Bassey also appeared on the famous Morecambe and Wise Christmas Show in 1971.

Bassey was featured on the TV show This Is Your Life twice, in 1972 and 1993. She released many successful albums in the 1970s, including Something Else (1971) and Never Never Never (1973). Two of her compilation albums, The Shirley Bassey Singles Album (1975) and 25th Anniversary Album (1978), reached the top three in the UK charts.

Between 1970 and 1979, Bassey had 18 hit albums in the UK. In 1973, her concerts at Carnegie Hall were recorded and released as a live album. In 1976 and 1979, she starred in her own TV show for the BBC, which was very popular. In 1979, she recorded the theme song for the Bond film, Moonraker.

The 1980s and 1990s

In the 1980s, Bassey focused on charity work and concert tours. She recorded fewer songs but released an album called All by Myself (1982). She also recorded a duet with French actor Alain Delon. In 1984, she recorded an album of her famous songs, I Am What I Am, with the London Symphony Orchestra. She also sang "The Rhythm Divine" with Swiss artists Yello in 1987. In 1989, she released an album sung entirely in Spanish, La Mujer.

In the 1990s, Bassey worked with a vocal coach and her album Keep the Music Playing (1991) showed a more operatic style. In 1994, a five-CD collection of her songs was released. She also worked with Chris Rea on the film La Passione (1996). Her song "History Repeating" (1997) reached number one on the UK Dance Chart.

In 1997, Bassey celebrated her 60th birthday with concerts and a TV special. The live album from these concerts was nominated for a Grammy Award. In 1999, she sang the official song for the Rugby World Cup, "World in Union", with Bryn Terfel.

2000s and Beyond

Bassey at Wembley Arena in 2006

Shirley Bassey continued to perform at important events. In 2002, she sang at the Party at the Palace for the Queen's 50th Jubilee. In 2003, she released the CD Thank You for the Years, which was another top 20 album. She also auctioned off her stage costumes to raise money for music students and a children's hospital.

In 2005, she performed her new song "The Living Tree" at the Royal Variety Performance. She also appeared in a Christmas TV advertisement for Marks & Spencer, singing a version of Pink's song "Get the Party Started". This song was later released as a single in 2007, marking her 50th anniversary in the UK Singles Chart.

Bassey performed at the 2007 Glastonbury Festival and released a new album, Get the Party Started. She also sang with Elton John at his charity ball.

From left to right: Sting, Debbie Harry, Lady Gaga, Elton John, Bassey and Bruce Springsteen at Carnegie Hall in 2010

In 2009, Bassey recorded the album The Performance, with songs written by artists like Gary Barlow and the Pet Shop Boys. She performed these new songs on TV shows.

In 2011, she performed at a gala for Mikhail Gorbachev and at the Classical Brit Awards. The BBC also aired a drama about her early life called Shirley. In 2012, she sang "Diamonds Are Forever" at the Queen's 60th Jubilee Party. In 2013, she performed "Goldfinger" at the Academy Awards to celebrate 50 years of James Bond movies.

Bassey released another album, Hello Like Before, in 2014. It included a new recording of "Goldfinger" and a duet with Paloma Faith. In 2018, she performed at a charity gala in Los Angeles. In 2019, she sang at a UNICEF gala and on a Christmas TV special.

In 2020, with her album I Owe It All To You, Shirley Bassey made history. She became the first female artist to have a top 40 album in the UK Albums Chart for seven decades in a row!

Bassey at The Sound of 007 in October 2022

In 2022, she opened the BAFTA Film Awards and performed at The Sound of 007 concert, both celebrating 60 years of James Bond films. In 2023, she received a special award from Prince Albert II of Monaco. In 2024, she announced that she would be auctioning off some of her jewelry for charity.

Shirley Bassey's Family Life

Marriages

Shirley Bassey was married twice. Her first marriage was to Kenneth Hume in 1961. They separated in 1964 and divorced in 1965. Her second marriage was to Sergio Novak from 1968 to 1979. Sergio also became her manager during this time.

Children

Shirley Bassey has two daughters, Sharon (born 1954) and Samantha (born 1963). Shirley had Sharon when she was 17, and her sister Ella helped raise Sharon for many years. Shirley also adopted her grand-nephew, Mark.

Sadly, in 1985, her daughter Samantha passed away. This was a very difficult time for Shirley, and it even caused her to temporarily lose her voice. In 2009, Shirley shared that she had reconnected with her son, Mark. Shirley also has four grandsons through her daughter Sharon, and a great-granddaughter. She lives in Monaco.

Awards and Special Recognition

Shirley Bassey has received many important awards and honors throughout her career.

• In 1994, she was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE).
• In 2000, she was promoted to Dame Commander (DBE) for her services to entertainment. This is why she is called "Dame Shirley Bassey."
• She performed for the Queen's Golden Jubilee in 2002 and her Diamond Jubilee in 2012.
• In 2003, she was made a Knight of France's Legion of Honour, which shows how popular she is in France.
• In 2012, she was chosen by artist Sir Peter Blake to appear in a new version of his famous Beatles album cover, celebrating British cultural figures.
• In 2016, she was named one of "the 50 greatest Welsh men and women of all time."
• The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama named a studio after her in 2016 because of her support for young Welsh singers.
• In 2019, she received the Freedom of the City of Cardiff, her hometown.
• In 2024, she was appointed a Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour (CH) for her contributions to music.

Here are some of her other awards:

• 1993: Honorary Fellowship of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama
• 1998: Longest run by a solo artist (ten shows) – Royal Festival Hall, London
• 1999: Madam Tussaud's waxwork unveiled in London
• 2004: Ranked No. 8 on the list of "100 Great Black Britons"
• 2005: Avenue of Stars – plaque unveiled in London
• 2018: A carriage on the Snowdon Mountain Railway was named in her honor.
• 2019: Square of Fame – plaque of Bassey's handprints unveiled at the SSE Arena, Wembley Park, London
• 2020: Official UK Chart Record – First female artist to claim a top 40 album in seven consecutive decades
• 2023: Grand Officer of the Order of Saint Charles (Monaco)

Music Awards

Grammy Awards

NME Awards

Bassey has also received the following awards and nominations:

• 1972: Best Female Singer – TV Times
• 1973: Best Female Singer – TV Times
• 1974: Best Female Entertainer – American Guild of Variety Artists
• 1976: Best Female Singer – Music Week
• 1976: EMI Award for twenty years as a recording artist – UK
• 1977: Best British Female Solo Artist in the previous 25 years – BRIT Award
• 1977: Golden Rose of Montreux nomination for Shirley Bassey
• 1991: Walk of Fame, Star Boulevard – plaque unveiled in Rotterdam
• 1995: Showbusiness Personality of the Year – Variety Club of Great Britain
• 2003: Outstanding Contribution to Music – National Music Awards, UK
• 2003: Lifetime Achievement Award – Western Mail Welsh Woman of the Year Awards
• 2004: Artist for Peace Award – UNESCO
• 2004: Welsh Legend Award, presented at the opening of the Cardiff Millennium Centre
• 2013: Dorian Award, TV Musical Performance of the Year – Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association
• 2014: Lifetime Achievement Award – World Music Awards
• 2017: Hall of Fame Award, Jersey Style Awards
• 2017: Nordoff Robbins O2 Silver Clef Award
• 2023: Commemorative coins released by The Royal Mint (UK)
• 2023: Commemorative postage stamps released by The Royal Mail (UK)

Discography

Television Specials

Shirley Bassey has starred in many television specials throughout her career. These shows often featured her singing her famous songs and sometimes included other guest performers. They were broadcast on channels like BBC One and BBC Two.

See also

In Spanish: Shirley Bassey para niños

• List of best-selling music artists
• Legion of Honour
• Legion of Honour Museum
• List of Legion of Honour recipients by name (B)
• List of foreign recipients of Legion of Honour by name
• List of foreign recipients of the Legion of Honour by country
• List of foreign recipients of the Legion of Honour by decade