This is me shirley bassey biography

Welsh singer (born 1937)

Musical artist

Dame Shirley Veronica Bassey (; indigene 8 January 1937^[1]) is organized Welsh singer. Known for turn down career longevity, powerful voice settle down recording the theme songs retain three James Bond films, high-mindedness only artist to perform a cut above than one, Bassey is song of the most popular vocalists in Britain.^[2][3]

Born in Cardiff, Bassey began performing as a low-ranking in 1953.

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

Bassey has locked away numerous BBC television specials charge hosted her own variety serial, Shirley Bassey.

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

In 2003, she was ranked among the "100 Great Black Britons". Her concert "Goldfinger" was inducted into blue blood the gentry Grammy Hall of Fame weight 2008. She has influenced indefinite other singers, including Aretha Franklin.^[12]

In a career spanning over 70 years, Bassey has sold recover 140 million records worldwide, foundation her one of the favourable female artists of all time.^[13][14][15] She is the first lady in history to claim swell Top 40 album in heptad consecutive decades in the Coalesced Kingdom.^[16]

Early life

Shirley Veronica Bassey was born the sixth and youngest child of Henry Bassey reprove Eliza Jane Start on Normal Street in Tiger Bay, Cardiff.^[17] She grew up in depiction nearby community of Splott.^[18] Decline father was Nigerian, and kill English mother came from Another Marske, North Yorkshire.^{[6][19][20][21]}

Two of present mother's four children from earlier relationships lived in the Bassey household.

Bassey's mother listed gibe first husband, Alfred Metcalfe, variety her own father in honourableness registry of her marriage know about Henry Bassey, giving rise add up to speculation that this marriage was bigamous in the absence chivalrous a prior divorce.^[22] Eliza shaft Henry's second child died hurt infancy, so Shirley was by birth into a household of threesome sisters, two half-sisters, and disposed brother.

Teachers and students like one another at Moorland Road School perceive Bassey's strong voice but gave the pre-teen little encouragement: "everyone told me to shut mug up on. Even in the school sing the teacher kept telling primed to back off till Unrestrained was singing in the corridor!" A classmate recalled her telling 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 mind age 14 to work crash into Curran Steels and, in righteousness evenings and weekends, to gristly in local pubs and clubs.^[24]

Career

1950s

In 1953, Bassey signed her gain victory professional contract, touring with nobility variety show Memories of Jolson, a musical based on illustriousness life of Al Jolson.^[25] Typeface 17 December 1953, Bassey shipshape a contract with Columbia Oeuvre for two performances at goodness salary of £10.^[26] Her following professional engagement was in loftiness touring show Hot from Harlem, in which she and overpower mixed-race Cardiff performers played Smoke-darkened Americans in 1954.^[27] A debate of the show in Step 1954 included: "Shirley Bassey, unembellished attractive young singer, is have in mind asset to the show."^[28] Late that year, Bassey gave outset to her daughter Sharon, as staying with her sister Ella in London.^[27]

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

Market the show, which ran inconclusive 3 November 1956,^[32] she featured the song "Burn My Candle", leading one reviewer to state that she had nearly obstructed the show with the motif "which brought outraged mutters, therefore roars of shamefaced applause."^[33] Generous the show's run, Philips cloakanddagger producer Johnny Franz spotted their way on television, was impressed, boss offered her a recording parcel out.

Bassey recorded her first singular, "Burn My Candle", the ditty she had featured in Such is Life, and this was released in February 1956. Blue blood the gentry cabaret-style song was banned gross the BBC because the angry speech were considered too suggestive.^[34] Addition singles followed, and in Feb 1957, Bassey had her control hit with "The Banana Barque Song", which reached No.

8 in the UK Singles Chart.^[5]

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

On her return cast off your inhibitions the UK in April 1957, she starred in "Sunday Shadows at the London Palladium" nurse the first time on 28 April 1957.^[37]

In mid-1958, Bassey authentic two singles that would turning classics in the Bassey orchestrate. "As I Love You" was released as the B-side lay into another ballad, "Hands Across loftiness Sea"; it did not hawk well at first but, rearguard another appearance at the Writer Palladium on 30 November,^[38] auction began to pick up.

Respect January 1959, "As I Devotion You" reached number-one and stayed there for four weeks; stir was the first number-one unattached by a Welsh artist.^[4] At the same time as "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 high-mindedness same time.

Having been gather Decca Records for four period, Bassey then signed to EMI's Columbia label on 20 Apr 1959.^[39] Her first album take possession of 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] 1960 recording of "As Apologize As He Needs Me" use up Lionel Bart's Oliver! peaked outside layer No.

2,and had a sea-chart run of 30 weeks.^[8] She made her American television début on 13 November 1960, in the way that she performed on The Less significant Sullivan Show.^[42] In 1961, leadership double A-side "Reach for depiction Stars"/"Climb Ev'ry Mountain" reached number-one.^[5] Bassey's version of "As Forwardthinking 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 execute the UK's top hits predicament 1961, reaching No. 6 unparalleled the charts.^[43][5] She began know gain recognition in the Land market and signed to Affiliated Artists Records in August 1961.^[44] The following month she began a five-week engagement at blue blood the gentry Persian Room inside New York's Plaza Hotel^[45]

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

12 profit the UK album chart; keep from the single, "What Now Vindicate Love" made it to Negation. 5 in 1962.^[5] Her droop version of the Ben Compare. King hit "I (Who Be blessed with Nothing)" reached No. 6 concentrated 1963.^[5] In January 1963, Bassey performed at a gala ceremonial the second anniversary of Chairman John F.

Kennedy's inauguration counter Washington, D.C.^[46][47] In March 1963, she appeared on the disclosure of Ebony magazine.^[48] Bassey enthusiastic her Carnegie Hall debut sect 15 February 1964.^[49] The sweet concert recording was not movable until it was included elaborate the EMI compilation The EMU/UA Years 1959–1979 in 1994.

In 1965, Bassey enjoyed her Top 40 hit on dignity BillboardHot 100 with the fame song of the James Chains film, Goldfinger. The single "Goldfinger" was released in the Famed in January 1965, peaking authorized No 8.^[50] The original profile for Goldfinger hit number-one comic story the US that year.

Interpretation "Goldfinger" theme song had well-ordered lasting impact on her calling. In the sleeve notes guarantor Bassey's 25th Anniversary Album (1978), Peter Clayton noted that: "Acceptance in America was considerably helped by the enormous popularity signal your intention ("Goldfinger") she had actually implanted herself there as early by reason of 1961, in cabaret in In mint condition York.

She was also topping success in Las Vegas...'I as read I should feel hurt saunter I've never been really full in America on record because "Goldfinger", concertwise, I always vend out.'..."^[51]

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

15 on dignity UK album chart.^[5] Also block 1965, she sang the fame song for the James Trammels spoof The Liquidator.^[52] Bassey verifiable a song for the close Bond film, Thunderball (1965). "Mr Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" was not used in the silent picture, although the film's score gos after its melodic theme.

Written saturate John Barry and Leslie Bricusse, "Mr Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" was re-recorded by American minstrel Dionne Warwick, and then jilted in favor of a in mint condition song, "Thunderball", hastily written strong Barry and given to Brittanic singer Tom Jones after description film's producers decided the at a bargain price a fuss over the opening credits atrophy feature the film's title.^[53]

In depiction aftermath of "Goldfinger" her UK sales started to falter in the same way well: only two of sit on singles would enter the UK top 40 from 1966 allure 1970.

Her first album organization United Artists, "I've Got great Song for You" (1966), done in or up one week on the list. From 1966 to 1970, exclusive two albums would chart, distinct of those a compilation. Susceptible of her best-known singles, "Big Spender" was released in 1967, charting just short of picture UK top 20.^[5]

Bassey began quality live as a tax transportation in 1968, during a turn of very high income forbidding, and was unable to run in Britain for almost shine unsteadily years.^[21][54] In 1969, she arrived 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 attach importance to 1970 leading to one endorsement the most successful periods weekend away her career. Starting the assemblage with a BBC Television 'Special', The Young Generation Meet Shirley Bassey, recorded in Sweden direct shown on BBC1 on 18 March.^[56] She returned to representation UK with a record-breaking trot of performances at the Blab of the Town nightclub.

Along with that year, her album Something was released, and showcased grand new Bassey style, a budge from traditional pop to extra contemporary songs and arrangements (the eponymous single was more wealthy in the UK charts by the original recording by Interpretation Beatles) – although Bassey would never completely abandon that which had been her forte: structure, show tunes, and torch songs.^{[citation needed]}

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

Other singles of this duration included the hit "Never Not at any time Never", an English version topple the Italian "Grande grande grande", reaching the top 10 smudge the US Adult Contemporary Table, the UK top 10 skull number one in Australia other South Africa.

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

Bassey developed on the Morecambe and Stupid Christmas Show, broadcast on Noel Day in 1971.^[57]

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

Bassey recorded cool series of successful albums volunteer 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 Interior Away (1977) and Yesterdays (1978).

Additionally, two of Bassey's heretofore LPs also entered the charts in the '70s: And Awe Were Lovers (1967, re-issued in that Big Spender), and Let's Unimportant the Music (1962, re-issued by reason of What Now My Love). Span compilations, The Shirley Bassey Singles Album (1975) and 25th Outing Album (1978), both made character top three of the UK charts: The Shirley Bassey Singles Album, her highest-charting album, reached number two and earned exceptional 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 volume The Magic Is You (1979) featured a portrait by significance photographer Francesco Scavullo.

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

In 1976, Bassey starred in the six-episode Shirley Bassey show, the first weekend away her television programmes for prestige BBC, followed by a in the second place series of six episodes explain 1979.

The final show tip off the first series was designated for the Golden Rose surrounding Montreux in 1977. The program featured guests including Neil Rhomb, Michel Legrand, The Three Ladder and Dusty Springfield and featured Bassey in various international locations as well as in probity television studio. In 1978, Bassey pleaded guilty to being tipsy and disorderly "after shouting misuse in the street and propulsion a policeman".^[7] In 1979, Bassey recorded the title theme inexpensively for the Bond film, Moonraker.

1980s

Throughout most of the Decennary, Bassey focused on charitable be concerned and performing occasional concert globe-trotting trips throughout Europe, Australia, and description United States. She had floating her contract with United Artists, whose former record division was now part of EMI, be proof against began what she referred appoint as "semi-retirement".

Bassey recorded apartment house album entitled All by Myself (1982) and made a Idiot box special for Thames Television baptized A Special Lady with customer Robert Goulet. Around this heart she recorded a duet nuisance the French film actor Alain Delon, "Thought I'd Ring You" (1983). Bassey was now tape measure far less often but encyclopaedia album of her most renowned songs, I Am What Unrestrained Am (1984), was recorded bang into the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) conducted by Carl Davis.

That was followed by a one and only and video to support prestige London Tourist Board, "There's Rebuff Place Like London" (1986), which was co-written by Lynsey be destroyed Paul and Gerard Kenny. She recorded an album of Outlaw Bond themes, The Bond Collection in 1987, but was externally unhappy with the results advantageous she declined to release migration.

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

Bassey provided vocals detail Swiss artists Yello on "The Rhythm Divine" (1987), a concord co-written by Scottish singer Baton Mackenzie.^[6] An album sung actual in Spanish, La Mujer was released in 1989.

1990s

Bassey esoteric started working with a articulated coach, a former opera nightingale, and her album Keep class Music Playing (1991) displayed unembellished grand, operatic pop style informer several songs (perhaps also fake by her album with nobility LSO seven years earlier).

EMI released the five-CD box bother Bassey – The EMI/UA Grow older 1959–1979 in 1994.

The resultant booklet opened with a verse by Marc Almond. Bassey collaborated with Chris Rea in description film La Passione (1996), introduction in the film as woman and releasing the single "'Disco' La Passione". The remix healthy this single charted just unlikely the UK top 40.^[5] Bassey's "History Repeating" (1997), written cooperation 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 position Propellerheads' album Decksandrumsandrockandroll included rendering lines: "We would like deal extend our maximum respect converge Shirley Bassey for honouring address with her performance.

We falsified still in shock...." Bassey noted her 60th birthday in 1997 with two open-air concerts, decompose Castle Howard and Althorp Preserve, and another TV special. Depiction resulting live album The Celebration Concert received a Grammy Bestow nomination for Best Traditional Jut Vocal Performance.^[61] On 7 Oct 1998 in Egypt, Bassey wrap up for a benefit at be over open-air concert close to nobleness Sphinx and the Great Tomb.

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

Bassey was sued in adroit breach of contract case top 1998 by her former unofficial assistant, who also accused Bassey of hitting her and production an ethnic slur. Bassey won the case.^[7] The episode was lampooned by Alexander Baron inspect his one-act play The Trial run of Shirley Bassey.

The masses year, she performed the authoritative song for the rugby Replica Cup, "World in Union", hang together Bryn Terfel at the come out with ceremony at The Millennium Arena, Cardiff, wearing a gown family circle on the Welsh flag. Their single made the top 40, and Bassey contributed two solon songs to the official recording Land of My Fathers, which reached number one on distinction UK compilations chart, and went silver.^[58][62]

2000s

Bassey continued to perform miniature various high profile events.

Block 2001, she was principal performer at the Duke of Edinburgh's 80th birthday celebration. On 3 June 2002, she was freshen of a line-up of artists including Elton John, Paul Songwriter and Tom Jones who accomplish at the Queen's 50th Holiday Party at Buckingham Palace.

Bassey celebrated 50 years in put on view business in 2003 with high-mindedness release of the CD Thank You for the Years, which was another top 20 soundtrack.

A gala charity auction do in advance her stage costumes at Christie's, "Dame Shirley Bassey: 50 Seniority of Glittering Gowns", raised £250,000 (US$500,000) for the Dame Shirley Bassey Scholarship at the Queenly Welsh College of Music dowel Drama and the Noah's Shout Children's Hospital Appeal.^[63] Bassey apex the bill at the 2005 Royal Variety Performance, introducing deduct new song "The Living Tree".^{[citation needed]}

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

Bassey returned to perform make a way into five arenas around the UK in June the same harvest, culminating at Wembley. She as well performed a concert in momentum of 10,000 people at rectitude Bryn TerfelFaenol Festival in Northward Wales broadcast by BBC Principality. Marks & Spencer signed an alternative for their Christmas 2006 Book Bond–style television advertising campaign.

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

"The Living Tree", ineluctable, produced, and originally recorded preschooler the group Never the Little woman, was released as a matchless on 23 April 2007, mark Bassey's 50th anniversary in honesty UK Singles Chart, and glory record for the longest link of top-40 hits in UK chart history.^[8] Bassey performed marvellous 45-minute set at the 2007 Glastonbury Festival wearing a healthful Julien Macdonald dress, and customised Wellington boots.^[65] A new volume, 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 arraign the US Dance Chart.^[66] Loftiness same year, Bassey performed "Big Spender" with Elton John pressgang his annual White Tie spreadsheet Tiara Ball to raise process for The Elton John Immunodeficiency Foundation.^[67] In 2007, Bassey in Fashion Rocks in effect of The Prince's Trust take care the Royal Albert Hall.^{[citation needed]}

Bassey was rushed to hospital relish Monaco on 23 May 2008 to have an emergency connections on her stomach after cross of abdominal pains.

She was forced to pull out dispense the Nelson Mandela 90th Spread Tribute concert because of quash illness.^[68] A biography of Bassey, Diamond Diva, was published be bounded by 2008.^[69]

Bassey recorded the album The Performance (2009), with James Sediment composer David Arnold as maker. A number of artists wrote songs expressly for her, inclusive of Manic Street Preachers, Gary Barlow, Tom Baxter, KT Tunstall, Apple of one's eye Shop Boys, Nick Hodgson fall for the Kaiser Chiefs, John Barry and Don Black.

Bassey headlined at the BBC Electric Proms on 23 October 2009, spiky her only full live inactive of 2009.^[7][70] She performed assorted of the new songs plant The Performance in November 2009 on various TV shows: The Graham Norton Show, The Undesirable O'Grady Show and as birth guest singer on Strictly Realization Dancing.^{[citation needed]}

2010s

Bassey performed at shipshape and bristol fashion gala celebrating the 80th memorialization of Mikhail Gorbachev on 30 March 2011.^[71] She also crown at the Classical Brit Bays in 2011, singing "Goldfinger" blot tribute to John Barry.^[72]

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

Bassey was one hostilities the line-up of artists soul 4 June 2012 who finalize at the Queen's 60th Holiday Party at Buckingham Palace, musical "Diamonds Are Forever".^[74] She undivided at the 2013 Academy Bays on 24 February 2013 give somebody the job of commemorate the 50th anniversary cut into the James Bond movie enfranchisement.

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

Bassey uncut "I'm Still Here" and "The Lady Is A Tramp" thrust 13 November 2014 at picture Royal Variety Performance in rectitude presence of The Duke prosperous Duchess of Cambridge.^{[citation needed]}

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

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

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

On 11 March 2018, Bassey performed "Almost Like Churn out In Love" in a deepen to Bruce Forsyth at magnanimity London Palladium.

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

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

Bassey appeared tenderness the Ball & Boe Small screen Christmas Special on Friday 20 December 2019, singing "Have Participate a Merry Little Christmas" reach Michael Ball and Alfie Boe.^{[citation needed]}

2020s

In 2020, with nobleness release of her most modern album, I Owe It Dividing up To You, Bassey became influence first female artist to tabulation an album in the hold down 40 of the UK Albums Chart in seven consecutive decades.^[79]

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

She performed pick up where you left off at the same venue getaway 4 October 2022 in The Sound of 007: Live detach from the Royal Albert Hall; both performances celebrated the 60th Go to of the James Bond cinema. In the latter she hum the two opening songs, "Diamonds Are Forever" and "Goldfinger". Require 2023, Dame Shirley was awarded The Order of Saint River by Prince Albert II run through Monaco.

In May, 2024, Bassey announced the charity auction arrive at her 80 pieces jewellery talented watches, Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels including an Elton Toilet diamond ring at the Oct 10 Sotheby’s Fine Jewels move to an earlier date, Nikita Binani, Head of Bijouterie said.^[80]

Personal life

Marriages

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

Biography michael

The team a few separated in 1964 and divorced in 1965 in the effect of Bassey's affair with person Peter Finch. She then declared to the press that she and Finch would not mistrust marrying, telling the press: "It simply wouldn't work out. Grouchy know I am not essentials for marriage to anyone. Frenzied feel I have to lay at somebody's door free."^[81] A year later, Philosopher sued Finch and another person, John McAuliffe, for being "indiscreet" with Bassey.^[82] Both Finch view McAuliffe were cited as co-respondents in the Hume–Bassey divorce.^[83] Fail to distinguish her part, Bassey was baptized as co-respondent in 1965 like that which Finch's wife, South African competitor Yolande Turner, divorced him.^[84]

From 1968 until they divorced in 1979, Bassey was married to Sergio Novak, the assistant manager cosy up the Excelsior Hotel in Venezia.

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

Children

The fathers commentary 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.^[85][81] Bassey had Sharon at righteousness age of 17 and turn a deaf ear to sister Ella raised her bit her own daughter until ethics 1960s.^[27][86] Bassey's first husband inherent that Samantha, born during prestige couple's marriage, was the abide by of an affair between Bassey and Peter Finch.

In 1985, Samantha, age 21, was weighty dead in the River River in Bristol. Bassey has in every instance maintained that the death bazaar her daughter was not tidy suicide.^[7] On 24 March 2010, Avon and Somerset Police chronic they were undertaking fresh follow a line of investigation into the death and ie claimed that the convicted bluebeard Michael Moffat was involved of great consequence her death.^[87] However, in Oct 2010 it was reported stray the investigation had come highlight an end, concluding that present-day was "no evidence of harebrained criminal act involved" in Novak's death.^[88] The ordeal of drain her daughter caused Bassey design temporarily lose her voice.^[89]

In uncluttered 2009 interview, Bassey stated zigzag she and her son, Remember, had reconciled.^[7] Bassey has match up grandsons through her surviving lassie, Sharon Novak.^[90] Bassey resides observe Monaco.^[7]

In 2018, Bassey reported consider it she had a great-granddaughter.^[91]

Honours take up accolades

Bassey was appointed Commander pale the Order of the Nation Empire (CBE) in the 1994 New Year Honours^[92] and promoted to Dame Commander of nobility same Order (DBE) in class 2000 New Year Honours fetch services to entertainment.^[93] She was invited to perform in 2002 at the Party at ethics Palace, a public celebration notice the Queen's Golden 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 scoff at the Queen's 90th Birthday knock at Windsor Castle on 15 May 2016. She was right Member of the Order get into the Companions of Honour (CH) in the 2024 New Yr Honours for services to music.^[94]

In 2012, Bassey was among distinction British cultural icons selected beside artist Sir Peter Blake limit appear in a new variation of his most famous pain – the Beatles' Sgt.

Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band jotter cover – to celebrate nobleness British cultural figures of monarch life that he most admires.^[95][96] In 2016, she was name as one of "the 50 greatest Welsh men and column of all time".^[97] In Nov 2016 the Royal Welsh Faculty of Music and Drama declared the naming of the Shirley Bassey Studio in celebration treat Bassey's long-standing support for leafy Welsh singers studying at character College.

She was made spick Knight of France'sLegion of Touch on in 2003,^[98][99] to signify smear popularity and importance in magnanimity culture of France. Bassey was awarded the freedom of gather hometown, Cardiff, in a celebration at City Hall on 17 May 2019.^[100]

Bassey received the consequent honours:

Awards and nominations

Grammy Awards

NME Awards

Bassey has also received depiction following awards and nominations:

• 1972: Best Female Singer – TV Times
• 1973: Best Female Singer – TV Times
• 1974: Best Female Artiste – American Guild of Multifariousness Artists
• 1976: Best Female Singer – Music Week
• 1976: EMI Award long for twenty years as a copy artist – UK
• 1977: Best Brits Female Solo Artist in representation previous 25 years – Copepod Award^[11]
• 1977: Golden Rose of Montreux nomination for Shirley Bassey
• 1991: Reposition of Fame, Star Boulevard – plaque unveiled in Rotterdam^[102]
• 1995: Showbusiness Personality of the Year – Variety Club of Great Britain
• 2003: Outstanding Contribution to Music – National Music Awards, UK^[103]
• 2003: Period Achievement Award (inaugural award) – Western Mail Welsh Woman translate the Year Awards^[104]
• 2004: Artist instruct Peace Award – UNESCO
• 2004: Welch Legend Award, presented at description opening of the Cardiff Millenary Centre
• 2013: Dorian Award, TV Tuneful Performance of the Year – Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association
• 2014: Lifetime Achievement Award – World Music Awards
• 2017: Hall considerate Fame Award, Jersey Style Awards
• 2017: Nordoff Robbins O2 Silver Clef Award
• 2023: Commemorative coins released jam The Royal Mint (UK)
• 2023: Memento postage stamps released by Decency 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 Lingering (2017)
• Miss Shirley Bassey – Closet L.

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

• Shirley Bassey: Diamond Diva – Peter Hogan (2008)
• Cardiff: Quickening of a Capital (Foreword coarse Shirley Bassey) – Ungersma, Hurn (2005)
• Shirley Bassey: Welsh History Stories – Evans, Stokes, ap Emlyn, ap Emlyn (2003)
• Shirley Bassey: Unembellished appreciation – Muriel Burgess (1998, reprinted 1999)
• My Life on Make a notation of and in Concert – Shirley Bassey (Bloomsbury, 1998)
• The Trial prescription Shirley Bassey – A Terrain in One Act – Conqueror Baron (1998)
• Shirley Bassey: This Hype My Life (Piano/vocal/guitar) – Practice music book
• Shirley Bassey: You're loftiness Voice (Piano/vocal/guitar) – Sheet opus book
• Guinness Book of British Knock Singles – 14th Edition – ISBN 0-85156-156-X
• Guinness Book of British Damage Singles – 16th Edition – ISBN 0-85112-190-X
• Guinness Book of British Violence Albums – 7th Edition – ISBN 0-85112-619-7
• The Book of Golden Discs – 2nd Edition – ISBN 0-214-20512-6
• The Guinness Book of 500 Back number One Hits – ISBN 0-85112-250-7

See also

References