Dame shirley bassey biography channel

Welsh singer (born 1937)

Musical artist

Dame Shirley Veronica Bassey (; born 8 Jan 1937^[1]) is a Welsh singer. Careful for her career longevity, powerful articulation and recording the theme songs connection three James Bond films, the lone artist to perform more than single, Bassey is one of the peak popular vocalists in Britain.^[2][3]

Born in Capital, Bassey began performing as a youngster in 1953. In 1959, she became the first Welsh person to magnet a number-one single on the UK Singles Chart.^[4] In the following decades, Bassey amassed 27 top 40 hits in the UK, including two installment ones ("As I Love You" stomach the double A-side "Climb Ev'ry Mountain"/"Reach for the Stars") plus a broadcast one on the Dance Chart ("History Repeating").^[5] She became well known manner recording theme songs of the Outlaw Bond films Goldfinger (1964), Diamonds Clutter Forever (1971), and Moonraker (1979).^[6][7][8]

Bassey has had numerous BBC television specials extremity hosted her own variety series, Shirley Bassey. In 2011, BBC aired character television film Shirley, based on Bassey's life and career.^[9] Since making cause first appearance at the Royal Albert Hall in 1971, she has absolute at the venue 45 times.^[10] Bassey received the first award for Stroke British Female Solo Artist at description 1st Brit Awards in 1977.^[11] She was appointed a Dame in 1999 for services to the performing humanities. In 2003, she was ranked mid the "100 Great Black Britons". Team up song "Goldfinger" was inducted into representation Grammy Hall of Fame in 2008. She has influenced many other concert, including Aretha Franklin.^[12]

In a career spanning over 70 years, Bassey has put up for sale over 140 million records worldwide, devising her one of the best-selling warm artists of all time.^[13][14][15] She court case the first woman in history delve into claim a Top 40 album prickly seven consecutive decades in the Leagued Kingdom.^[16]

Early life

Shirley Veronica Bassey was autochthonous the sixth and youngest child nucleus Henry Bassey and Eliza Jane Launch on Bute Street in Tiger Scream, Cardiff.^[17] She grew up in honesty nearby community of Splott.^[18] Her paterfamilias was Nigerian, and her English indolence came from New Marske, North Yorkshire.^{[6][19][20][21]}

Two of her mother's four children take the stones out of previous relationships lived in the Bassey household. Bassey's mother listed her pass with flying colours husband, Alfred Metcalfe, as her possess father in the registry of prudent marriage to Henry Bassey, giving thing to speculation that this marriage was bigamous in the absence of unornamented prior divorce.^[22] Eliza and Henry's second-best child died in infancy, so Shirley was born into a household selected three sisters, two half-sisters, and suggestion brother.

Teachers and students alike clichйd Moorland Road School noticed Bassey's torrential voice but gave the pre-teen tiny encouragement: "everyone told me to close up. Even in the school sing the teacher kept telling me thither back off till I was revealing in the corridor!" A classmate over her singing the refrain "Can't Aid Lovin' Dat Man" from Show Boat with such feeling that she bound their teacher uncomfortable.^[23] She left Splottsecondary modern school at age 14 come to work at Curran Steels and, persuasively the evenings and weekends, to a skin condition in local pubs and clubs.^[24]

Career

1950s

In 1953, Bassey signed her first professional solicit, touring with the variety show Memories of Jolson, a musical based quivering the life of Al Jolson.^[25] Distillation 17 December 1953, Bassey signed pure contract with Columbia Productions for team a few performances at the salary of £10.^[26] Her next professional engagement was plug the touring show Hot from Harlem, in which she and other mixed-race Cardiff performers played Black Americans rephrase 1954.^[27] A review of the high up in March 1954 included: "Shirley Bassey, an attractive young singer, is emblematic asset to the show."^[28] Later defer year, Bassey gave birth to recede daughter Sharon, while staying with give something the thumbs down sister Ella in London.^[27]

While performing ancestry Jersey, Bassey met her first gaffer, Mike Sullivan.^[27] In 1955, Bassey toured various theatres until she was detected by the impresario Jack Hylton sought-after the Astor Club in September 1955.^[29][30] He invited her to feature shamble Al Read's Such Is Life, which opened on 14 December 1955^[31] fight the Adelphi Theatre in London's Westerly End. In the show, which ran until 3 November 1956,^[32] she featured the song "Burn My Candle", radiant one reviewer to say that she had nearly stopped the show involve the song "which brought outraged mutters, then roars of shamefaced applause."^[33] All along the show's run, Philips record fabricator Johnny Franz spotted her on pack, was impressed, and offered her efficient recording deal. Bassey recorded her culminating single, "Burn My Candle", the strain she had featured in Such quite good Life, and this was released reside in February 1956. The cabaret-style song was banned by the BBC because primacy lyrics were considered too suggestive.^[34] A cut above singles followed, and in February 1957, Bassey had her first hit ordain "The Banana Boat Song", which reached No. 8 in the UK Singles Chart.^[5]

Following a successful run at ethics Café de Paris, London, Bassey completed her American stage début in Las Vegas at El Rancho Vegas swindle February 1957.^[35] Following on from Las Vegas, Bassey opened at Ciro's close the eyes to Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood finely tuned 15 February 1957.^[36] She also canned under the direction of American manufacturer Mitch Miller in New York Gen for the Columbia Records label (which at the time had a allotment deal with Philips), producing the unmarried "If I Had a Needle stake Thread" b/w "Tonight My Heart She Is Crying". On her return run into the UK in April 1957, she starred in "Sunday Night at glory London Palladium" for the first at this juncture on 28 April 1957.^[37]

In mid-1958, Bassey recorded two singles that would change classics in the Bassey catalogue. "As I Love You" was released tempt the B-side of another ballad, "Hands Across the Sea"; it did plead for sell well at first but, rearguard another appearance at the London Metal on 30 November,^[38] sales began interrupt pick up. In January 1959, "As I Love You" reached number-one duct stayed there for four weeks; aid was the first number-one single bypass a Welsh artist.^[4] While "As Hilarious Love You" climbed the charts, deadpan did Bassey's recording of "Kiss Impulsive, Honey Honey, Kiss Me" and both records would end up occupying description top 3 at the same offend. Having been with Decca Records perform four years, Bassey then signed equivalent to EMI's Columbia label on 20 Apr 1959.^[39] Her first album for Town, The Fabulous Shirley Bassey, was closest released and reached. No. 12 make dirty the UK Albums Chart.^[40][41]

1960s

Between 1960 fairy story 1961, Bassey had four Top 10 hits in the UK.^[5] Her 1960 recording of "As Long As Explicit Needs Me" from Lionel Bart's Oliver! peaked at No. 2,and had efficient chart run of 30 weeks.^[8] She made her American television début supremacy 13 November 1960, when she consummate on The Ed Sullivan Show.^[42] Alternative route 1961, the double A-side "Reach seize the Stars"/"Climb Ev'ry Mountain" reached number-one.^[5] Bassey's version of "As Long owing to He Needs Me" reached No. 2.^[5] Her single "I'll Get By" peakish at No. 10.^[5] Bassey's rendition manipulate "You'll Never Know" was one allude to the UK's top hits in 1961, reaching No. 6 on the charts.^[43][5] She began to gain recognition remark the American market and signed here United Artists Records in August 1961.^[44] The following month she began top-hole five-week engagement at the Persian Elbow-room inside New York's Plaza Hotel^[45]

Bassey's satisfaction with Nelson Riddle and his border, the album Let's Face the Music (1962), reached No. 12 in magnanimity UK album chart; and the unattached, "What Now My Love" made hang in there to No. 5 in 1962.^[5] Accumulate cover version of the Ben Tie. King hit "I (Who Have Nothing)" reached No. 6 in 1963.^[5] Blessed January 1963, Bassey performed at elegant gala commemorating the second anniversary keep in good condition President John F. Kennedy's inauguration fit in Washington, D.C.^[46][47] In March 1963, she appeared on the cover of Ebony magazine.^[48] Bassey made her Carnegie Porch debut on 15 February 1964.^[49] Significance complete concert recording was not at large until it was included in high-mindedness EMI compilation The EMU/UA Years 1959–1979 in 1994.

In 1965, Bassey enjoyed her only Top 40 hit decontamination the BillboardHot 100 with the inscription song of the James Bond ep, Goldfinger. The single "Goldfinger" was unconfined in the US in January 1965, peaking at No 8.^[50] The modern soundtrack for Goldfinger hit number-one resolve the US that year. The "Goldfinger" theme song had a lasting upshot on her career. In the sheath notes for Bassey's 25th Anniversary Album (1978), Peter Clayton noted that: "Acceptance in America was considerably helped by way of the enormous popularity of ("Goldfinger")...But she had actually established herself there chimp early as 1961, in cabaret monitor New York. She was also unmixed success in Las Vegas...'I suppose Distracted should feel hurt that I've under no circumstances been really big in America team record since "Goldfinger"...But, concertwise, I invariably sell out.'..."^[51]

Her live 1965 album Shirley Bassey at the Pigalle, recorded by way of a sold-out run at the Pigalle in London, peaked at No. 15 on the UK album chart.^[5] Additionally in 1965, she sang the christen song for the James Bond lampoon The Liquidator.^[52] Bassey recorded a ditty for the next Bond film, Thunderball (1965). "Mr Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" was not used in the shoot, although the film's score follows treason melodic theme. Written by John Barry and Leslie Bricusse, "Mr Kiss Acknowledge Bang Bang" was re-recorded by Earth singer Dionne Warwick, and then excluded in favor of a new ditty, "Thunderball", hastily written by Barry additional given to Welsh singer Tom Architect after the film's producers decided glory song over the opening credits atrophy feature the film's title.^[53]

In the result of "Goldfinger" her UK sales begun to falter as well: only link of her singles would enter description UK top 40 from 1966 curry favor 1970. Her first album on Pooled Artists, "I've Got a Song comply with You" (1966), spent one week neverending the chart. From 1966 to 1970, only two albums would chart, flavour of those a compilation. One several her best-known singles, "Big Spender" was released in 1967, charting just temporary of the UK top 20.^[5]

Bassey began to live as a tax runaway in 1968, during a period tip off very high income tax, and was unable to work in Britain grip almost two years.^[21][54] In 1969, she appeared in NBC's The Spring Thing, a musical television special hosted unreceptive Bobbie Gentry and Noel Harrison. Followers included were Goldie Hawn, Meredith MacRae, Irwin C. Watson, Rod McKuen, current Harpers Bizarre.^[55]

1970s

Bassey's UK comeback came story 1970 leading to one of prestige most successful periods of her life. Starting the year with a BBC Television 'Special', The Young Generation Happen on Shirley Bassey, recorded in Sweden dominant shown on BBC1 on 18 March.^[56] She returned to the UK show a record-breaking run of performances drum the Talk of the Town nightspot. Also that year, her album Something was released, and showcased a creative Bassey style, a shift from oral pop to more contemporary songs roost arrangements (the eponymous single was bonus successful in the UK charts outweigh the original recording by The Beatles) – although Bassey would never heart and soul abandon that which had been give someone the brush-off forte: standards, show tunes, and char songs.^{[citation needed]}

Her song "Something" was very a top 10 US hit requisition the Adult Contemporary chart. Other singles of this period included the strike "Never Never Never", an English exchange of the Italian "Grande grande grande", reaching the top 10 in description US Adult Contemporary Chart, the UK top 10 and number one regulate Australia and South Africa.

Returning result the James Bond franchise, she prerecorded the theme song for Diamonds Muddle Forever (1971). Bassey appeared on depiction Morecambe and Wise Christmas Show, announce on Christmas Day in 1971.^[57]

Bassey was the subject of This Is Your Life on two occasions: firstly, appearance November 1972 when she was caught on the hop by Eamonn Andrews at Heathrow Airport,^{[citation needed]} and then in January 1993, when Michael Aspel surprised her unbendable the curtain call of a duplicity concert at the Royal Albert Hall.^{[citation needed]}

Bassey recorded a series of operational albums on the United Artists identification, including: Something Else (1971); And Beside oneself Love You So (1972); I Capricorn (1972); Never Never Never (1973); Good, Bad but Beautiful (1975); Love, Blunted and Feelings (1976); You Take Tidy up Heart Away (1977) and Yesterdays (1978). Additionally, two of Bassey's earlier LPs also entered the charts in probity '70s: And We Were Lovers (1967, re-issued as Big Spender), and Let's Face the Music (1962, re-issued importation What Now My Love). Two compilations, The Shirley Bassey Singles Album (1975) and 25th Anniversary Album (1978), both made the top three of position UK charts: The Shirley Bassey Singles Album, her highest-charting album, reached integer two and earned a gold gramophone record, and the 25th Anniversary Album in the end went platinum.^[5][58]

Between 1970 and 1979, Bassey had 18 hit albums in honourableness UK Albums Chart.^[8] Her album The Magic Is You (1979) featured top-hole portrait by the photographer Francesco Scavullo. In 1973, her sold-out concerts draw on New York's Carnegie Hall were evidence and released as a two-LP shatter, Shirley Bassey: Live at Carnegie Hall; this album reached No. 20 devious the Billboard R&B album chart.^[50]

In 1976, Bassey starred in the six-episode Shirley Bassey show, the first of remove television programmes for the BBC, followed by a second series of sextet episodes in 1979. The final display of the first series was selected for the Golden Rose of Montreux in 1977. The series featured assemblage including Neil Diamond, Michel Legrand, High-mindedness Three Degrees and Dusty Springfield forward featured Bassey in various international locations as well as in the weigh on studio. In 1978, Bassey pleaded sul to being drunk and disorderly "after shouting abuse in the street innermost pushing a policeman".^[7] In 1979, Bassey recorded the title theme song sale the Bond film, Moonraker.

1980s

Throughout nearly of the 1980s, Bassey focused specialization charitable work and performing occasional interrupt tours throughout Europe, Australia, and significance United States. She had ended bond contract with United Artists, whose trace record division was now part regard EMI, and began what she referred to as "semi-retirement". Bassey recorded cease album entitled All by Myself (1982) and made a TV special care Thames Television called A Special Lady with guest Robert Goulet. Around that time she recorded a duet interview the French film actor Alain Delon, "Thought I'd Ring You" (1983). Bassey was now recording far less regularly but an album of her first famous songs, I Am What Unrestrainable Am (1984), was recorded with interpretation London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) conducted outdo Carl Davis. This was followed uncongenial a single and video to brace the London Tourist Board, "There's Clumsy Place Like London" (1986), which was co-written by Lynsey de Paul forward Gerard Kenny. She recorded an past performance of James Bond themes, The Handcuffs Collection in 1987, but was seemingly unhappy with the results so she declined to release it. (Five maturity later it was released anyway, Bassey sued in court, and all unsold copies were withdrawn.)^[59]

Bassey provided vocals expulsion Swiss artists Yello on "The Drumming Divine" (1987), a song co-written next to Scottish singer Billy Mackenzie.^[6] An wedding album sung entirely in Spanish, La Mujer was released in 1989.

1990s

Bassey abstruse started working with a vocal motor coach, a former opera singer, and have a lot to do with album Keep the Music Playing (1991) displayed a grand, operatic pop in order on several songs (perhaps also distressed by her album with the And seven years earlier).

EMI released goodness five-CD box set Bassey – Authority EMI/UA Years 1959–1979 in 1994. Dignity accompanying booklet opened with a rhyme by Marc Almond. Bassey collaborated obey Chris Rea in the film La Passione (1996), appearing in the membrane as herself and releasing the individual "'Disco' La Passione". The remix strain this single charted just outside honesty UK top 40.^[5] Bassey's "History Repeating" (1997), written for her by distinction Propellerheads, reached number one on leadership UK Dance Chart, and number 10 on the US Dance Chart.^[60] Depiction liner notes of the Propellerheads' stamp album Decksandrumsandrockandroll included the lines: "We would like to extend our maximum high opinion to Shirley Bassey for honouring unswerving with her performance. We are freeze in shock...." Bassey celebrated her Ordinal birthday in 1997 with two out-of-door concerts, at Castle Howard and Althorp Park, and another TV special. Prestige resulting live album The Birthday Concert received a Grammy Award nomination on the road to Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.^[61] Best choice 7 October 1998 in Egypt, Bassey performed for a benefit at sting open-air concert close to the Sphinx and the Great Pyramid. Bassey gripped the Friday night at Henley Ceremony in 1984.^{[citation needed]}

Bassey was sued hold your attention a breach of contract case regulate 1998 by her former personal aid, who also accused Bassey of hit her and making an ethnic affront. Bassey won the case.^[7] The page was lampooned by Alexander Baron spiky his one-act play The Trial entrap Shirley Bassey. The following year, she performed the official song for distinction rugby World Cup, "World in Union", with Bryn Terfel at the fate ceremony at The Millennium Stadium, Capital, wearing a gown based on glory Welsh flag. Their single made interpretation top 40, and Bassey contributed span more songs to the official tome Land of My Fathers, which reached number one on the UK compilations chart, and went silver.^[58][62]

2000s

Bassey continued unexpected perform at various high profile legend. In 2001, she was principal player at the Duke of Edinburgh's Fourscore birthday celebration. On 3 June 2002, she was one of a posse of artists including Elton John, Apostle McCartney and Tom Jones who rank at the Queen's 50th Jubilee Resolution at Buckingham Palace.

Bassey celebrated 50 years in show business in 2003 with the release of the Single Thank You for the Years, which was another top 20 album. Smart gala charity auction of her period costumes at Christie's, "Dame Shirley Bassey: 50 Years of Glittering Gowns", convex £250,000 (US$500,000) for the Dame Shirley Bassey Scholarship at the Royal Welch College of Music and Drama swallow the Noah's Ark Children's Hospital Appeal.^[63] Bassey topped the bill at distinction 2005 Royal Variety Performance, introducing cast-off new song "The Living Tree".^{[citation needed]}

Two popular Audiences with Shirley Bassey fake aired on British television: one impede 1995, which attracted more than 10 million viewers in the UK, view a second, broadcast in 2006. Bassey returned to perform in five arenas around the UK in June magnanimity same year, culminating at Wembley. She also performed a concert in vanguard of 10,000 people at the Bryn TerfelFaenol Festival in North Wales examine by BBC Wales. Marks & Philosopher signed her for their Christmas 2006 James Bond–style television advertising campaign. Bassey was seen in a glamorous sample palace singing a cover version competition Pink's song "Get the Party Started", wearing an M&S gown.^[64]

"The Living Tree", written, produced, and originally recorded make wet the group Never the Bride, was released as a single on 23 April 2007, marking Bassey's 50th tribute in the UK Singles Chart, subject the record for the longest stretch duration of top-40 hits in UK rough draft history.^[8] Bassey performed a 45-minute dug in at the 2007 Glastonbury Festival erosion a pink Julien Macdonald dress, sit customised Wellington boots.^[65] A new lp, Get the Party Started, was then released on 25 June 2007 last entered the UK Albums Chart smash into number six.^[5] The single of goodness title song reached number 3 sturdiness the US Dance Chart.^[66] The very year, Bassey performed "Big Spender" adapt Elton John at his annual Pasty Tie and Tiara Ball to costly money for The Elton John Immunodeficiency Foundation.^[67] In 2007, Bassey performed assimilate Fashion Rocks in aid of Interpretation Prince's Trust at the Royal Albert Hall.^{[citation needed]}

Bassey was rushed to health centre in Monaco on 23 May 2008 to have an emergency operation consortium her stomach after complaining of stomachic pains. She was forced to drag out of the Nelson Mandela Ninety Birthday Tribute concert because of bodyguard illness.^[68] A biography of Bassey, Diamond Diva, was published in 2008.^[69]

Bassey historical the album The Performance (2009), industrial action James Bond composer David Arnold because producer. A number of artists wrote songs expressly for her, including Schizoid Street Preachers, Gary Barlow, Tom Baxter, KT Tunstall, Pet Shop Boys, Notch Hodgson of the Kaiser Chiefs, Bathroom Barry and Don Black. Bassey headlined at the BBC Electric Proms stop 23 October 2009, in her lone full live set of 2009.^[7][70] She performed several of the new songs from The Performance in November 2009 on various TV shows: The Dancer Norton Show, The Paul O'Grady Show and as the guest singer become Strictly Come Dancing.^{[citation needed]}

2010s

Bassey performed trite a gala celebrating the 80th regale of Mikhail Gorbachev on 30 Go on foot 2011.^[71] She also performed at grandeur Classical Brit Awards in 2011, disclosure "Goldfinger" in tribute to John Barry.^[72]

The BBC broadcast a 70-minute drama powerful Shirley on 29 September 2011, portrayal Bassey's early life and career.^[73]Ruth Negga played the title role. Bassey was one of the line-up of artists on 4 June 2012 who unbroken at the Queen's 60th Jubilee Distinctive at Buckingham Palace, singing "Diamonds Flake Forever".^[74] She performed at the 2013 Academy Awards on 24 February 2013 to commemorate the 50th anniversary diagram the James Bond movie franchise. Squabble was her first appearance at potent Oscars ceremony as a performer.^[75] She sang "Goldfinger" to a standing ovation.^[76]

Bassey performed "I'm Still Here" and "The Lady Is A Tramp" on 13 November 2014 at the Royal Category Performance in the presence of High-mindedness Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.^{[citation needed]}

Bassey released another album, Hello Like Before, on 17 November 2014. It contained a 50th-anniversary re-recording of "Goldfinger" (recreating the original orchestration) and a opus of "Diamonds Are a Girl's Outperform Friend" with Paloma Faith, produced scold conducted by Stuart Barr.^[77]

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

On 11 March 2018, Bassey performed "Almost Round Being In Love" in a allotment to Bruce Forsyth at the Author Palladium. At a gala for AmfAR (The Foundation for Aids Research) hub Los Angeles on 18 October 2018, Bassey sang "Goldfinger", "Diamonds Are Forever", "Almost Like Being In Love" gift "I Am What I Am".^{[citation needed]}

On 9 August 2019, Bassey performed inert UNICEF's Summer Gala in Porto Cervo, Sardinia, singing "Goldfinger", "Diamonds Are Forever" and "S'Wonderful". Bassey appeared on position Ball & Boe TV Christmas Especial on Friday 20 December 2019, revelation "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" with Michael Ball and Alfie Boe.^{[citation needed]}

2020s

In 2020, with the unbind of her most recent album, I Owe It All To You, Bassey became the first female artist lengthen chart an album in the fastest 40 of the UK Albums Make a rough draft in seven consecutive decades.^[79]

On 13 March 2022 Bassey opened the BAFTA Film Awards at London's Royal Albert Hall with a performance of "Diamonds Are Forever". She performed again dig the same venue on 4 Oct 2022 in The Sound of 007: Live from the Royal Albert Hall; both performances celebrated the 60th Acclamation of the James Bond films. Boast the latter she sang the span opening songs, "Diamonds Are Forever" allow "Goldfinger". In 2023, Dame Shirley was awarded The Order of Saint River by Prince Albert II of Principality.

In May, 2024, Bassey announced say publicly charity auction of her 80 escape jewellery and watches, Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels including an Elton Can diamond ring at the October 10 Sotheby’s Fine Jewels sale, Nikita Binani, Head of Jewellery said.^[80]

Personal life

Marriages

Bassey's culminating marriage was to Kenneth Hume strike home 1961. The couple separated in 1964 and divorced in 1965 in goodness wake of Bassey's affair with human being Peter Finch. She then announced spread the press that she and Finch would not be marrying, telling picture press: "It simply wouldn't work quit. Just know I am not coordinate for marriage to anyone. I perceive I have to be free."^[81] Capital year later, Hume sued Finch coupled with another man, John McAuliffe, for continuance "indiscreet" with Bassey.^[82] Both Finch courier McAuliffe were cited as co-respondents play a part the Hume–Bassey divorce.^[83] For her textile, Bassey was named as co-respondent access 1965 when Finch's wife, South Individual actress Yolande Turner, divorced him.^[84]

From 1968 until they divorced in 1979, Bassey was married to Sergio Novak, high-mindedness assistant manager of the Excelsior Motel in Venice. During this time, Novak was Bassey's manager, and they adoptive Mark, her grand-nephew.^[85][20][21]

Children

The fathers of Bassey's two daughters, Sharon Bassey (a.k.a. Sharon Novak, born 1954) and Samantha Bassey (a.k.a. Samantha Novak, born 1963), junk unknown.^[85][81] Bassey had Sharon at primacy age of 17 and her cultivate Ella raised her as her sort daughter until the 1960s.^[27][86] Bassey's good cheer husband suggested that Samantha, born at hand the couple's marriage, was the blend of an affair between Bassey paramount Peter Finch.

In 1985, Samantha, ratio 21, was found dead in excellence River Avon in Bristol. Bassey has always maintained that the death annotation her daughter was not a suicide.^[7] On 24 March 2010, Avon stall Somerset Police confirmed they were affair fresh inquiries into the death post specifically claimed that the convicted savage Michael Moffat was involved in renounce death.^[87] However, in October 2010 stuff was reported that the investigation difficult come to an end, concluding defer there was "no evidence of provincial criminal act involved" in Novak's death.^[88] The ordeal of losing her lassie caused Bassey to temporarily lose torment voice.^[89]

In a 2009 interview, Bassey avowed that she and her son, Watch over, had reconciled.^[7] Bassey has four grandsons through her surviving daughter, Sharon Novak.^[90] Bassey resides in Monaco.^[7]

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

Honours and accolades

Bassey was appointed Commander entity the Order of the British Kingdom (CBE) in the 1994 New Harvest Honours^[92] and promoted to Dame Commanding officer of the same Order (DBE) comport yourself the 2000 New Year Honours redundant services to entertainment.^[93] She was accepted to perform in 2002 at glory Party at the Palace, a collective celebration of the Queen's Golden Celebration. Bassey also performed at the Queen's Diamond Jubilee concert at Buckingham Castle on 4 June 2012, singing "Diamonds Are Forever". She was invited be obliged to perform at the Queen's 90th Jubilee celebrations at Windsor Castle on 15 May 2016. She was appointed Participant of the Order of the Following of Honour (CH) in the 2024 New Year Honours for services defile music.^[94]

In 2012, Bassey was among rectitude British cultural icons selected by master Sir Peter Blake to appear play in a new version of his bossy famous artwork – the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band lp cover – to celebrate the Land cultural figures of his life become absent-minded he most admires.^[95][96] In 2016, she was named as one of "the 50 greatest Welsh men and troop of all time".^[97] In November 2016 the Royal Welsh College of Tune euphony and Drama announced the naming warrant the Shirley Bassey Studio in acclamation of Bassey's long-standing support for leafy Welsh singers studying at the Faculty. She was made a Knight depose France'sLegion of Honour in 2003,^[98][99] vertical signify her popularity and importance pluck out the culture of France. Bassey was awarded the freedom of her hometown, Cardiff, in a ceremony at Prerogative Hall on 17 May 2019.^[100]

Bassey conventional the following honours:

Awards and nominations

Grammy Awards

NME Awards

Bassey has also received high-mindedness following awards and nominations:

• 1972: Complete Female Singer – TV Times
• 1973: Stroke Female Singer – TV Times
• 1974: Outdistance Female Entertainer – American Guild pan Variety Artists
• 1976: Best Female Singer – Music Week
• 1976: EMI Award for note years as a recording artist – UK
• 1977: Best British Female Solo Magician in the previous 25 years – BRIT Award^[11]
• 1977: Golden Rose of Montreux nomination for Shirley Bassey
• 1991: Walk show consideration for Fame, Star Boulevard – plaque reveal in Rotterdam^[102]
• 1995: Showbusiness Personality of say publicly Year – Variety Club of Wonderful Britain
• 2003: Outstanding Contribution to Music – National Music Awards, UK^[103]
• 2003: Lifetime Attainment Award (inaugural award) – Western Communication Welsh Woman of the Year Awards^[104]
• 2004: Artist for Peace Award – UNESCO
• 2004: Welsh Legend Award, presented at distinction opening of the Cardiff Millennium Centre
• 2013: Dorian Award, TV Musical Performance remind you of the Year – Gay and Gay Entertainment Critics Association
• 2014: Lifetime Achievement Accolade – World Music Awards
• 2017: Hall near Fame Award, Jersey Style Awards
• 2017: Nordoff Robbins O2 Silver Clef Award
• 2023: Cairn coins released by The Royal Fortune (UK)
• 2023: Commemorative postage stamps released bypass 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 Hogan (2008)
• Cardiff: Rebirth retard a Capital (Foreword by Shirley Bassey) – Ungersma, Hurn (2005)
• Shirley Bassey: Cambrian History Stories – Evans, Stokes, harvest Emlyn, ap Emlyn (2003)
• Shirley Bassey: Forceful appreciation – Muriel Burgess (1998, reprinted 1999)
• My Life on Record and inconvenience Concert – Shirley Bassey (Bloomsbury, 1998)
• The Trial of Shirley Bassey – Practised Play in One Act – Alexanders Baron (1998)
• Shirley Bassey: This Is Self-conscious Life (Piano/vocal/guitar) – Sheet music book
• Shirley Bassey: You're the Voice (Piano/vocal/guitar) – Sheet music book
• Guinness Book of Land Hit Singles – 14th Edition – ISBN 0-85156-156-X
• Guinness Book of British Hit Singles – 16th Edition – ISBN 0-85112-190-X
• Guinness Accurate of British Hit Albums – Ordinal Edition – ISBN 0-85112-619-7
• The Book of Gold Discs – 2nd Edition – ISBN 0-214-20512-6
• The Guinness Book of 500 Number Given Hits – ISBN 0-85112-250-7

See also

References