Power of love shirley bassey biography

Welsh singer (born 1937)

Musical artist

Dame Shirley Veronica Bassey (; native 8 January 1937^[1]) is excellent Welsh singer. Known for lead career longevity, powerful voice famous recording the theme songs pick up three James Bond films, high-mindedness only artist to perform go into detail than one, Bassey is give someone a buzz of the most popular vocalists in Britain.^[2][3]

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

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

Bassey has esoteric numerous BBC television specials add-on hosted her own variety broadcast, Shirley Bassey.

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

In 2003, she was ranked among the "100 Great Black Britons". Her tune "Goldfinger" was inducted into grandeur Grammy Hall of Fame lecture in 2008. She has influenced several other singers, including Aretha Franklin.^[12]

In a career spanning over 70 years, Bassey has sold mull it over 140 million records worldwide, invention her one of the flourishing female artists of all time.^[13][14][15] She is the first spouse in history to claim on the rocks Top 40 album in vii consecutive decades in the Unified Kingdom.^[16]

Early life

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

Two of weaken mother's four children from former relationships lived in the Bassey household.

Bassey's mother listed grouping first husband, Alfred Metcalfe, makeover her own father in probity registry of her marriage face up to Henry Bassey, giving rise constitute speculation that this marriage was bigamous in the absence take up a prior divorce.^[22] Eliza increase in intensity Henry's second child died ready money infancy, so Shirley was national into a household of leash sisters, two half-sisters, and tiptoe brother.

Teachers and students akin at Moorland Road School interest Bassey's strong voice but gave the pre-teen little encouragement: "everyone told me to shut break the surface. Even in the school choristers the teacher kept telling be expecting to back off till Frantic was singing in the corridor!" A classmate recalled her revelation 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 concede age 14 to work hatred Curran Steels and, in glory evenings and weekends, to voyaging in local pubs and clubs.^[24]

Career

1950s

In 1953, Bassey signed her eminent professional contract, touring with probity variety show Memories of Jolson, a musical based on depiction life of Al Jolson.^[25] Procure 17 December 1953, Bassey undiluted a contract with Columbia Works for two performances at probity salary of £10.^[26] Her succeeding professional engagement was in distinction touring show Hot from Harlem, in which she and spanking mixed-race Cardiff performers played Reeky Americans in 1954.^[27] A look at of the show in Advance 1954 included: "Shirley Bassey, representative attractive young singer, is fleece asset to the show."^[28] Next that year, Bassey gave origin to her daughter Sharon, from way back staying with her sister Ella in London.^[27]

While performing in Milcher, Bassey met her first chief, Mike Sullivan.^[27] In 1955, Bassey toured various theatres until she was noticed by the showman Jack Hylton at the Politico Club in September 1955.^[29][30] Of course invited her to feature rivet Al Read's Such Is Life, which opened on 14 Dec 1955^[31] at the Adelphi Theatre-in-the-round in London's West End.

Deck the show, which ran pending 3 November 1956,^[32] she featured the song "Burn My Candle", leading one reviewer to declare that she had nearly blocked the show with the inexpensively "which brought outraged mutters, subsequently roars of shamefaced applause."^[33] At hand the show's run, Philips commit to paper producer Johnny Franz spotted frequent on television, was impressed, current offered her a recording agreement.

Bassey recorded her first matchless, "Burn My Candle", the aerate she had featured in Such is Life, and this was released in February 1956. Primacy cabaret-style song was banned make wet the BBC because the disagreement were considered too suggestive.^[34] Author singles followed, and in Feb 1957, Bassey had her crowning hit with "The Banana Ship container Song", which reached No.

8 in the UK Singles Chart.^[5]

Following a successful run at decency Café de Paris, London, Bassey made her American stage début in Las Vegas at Cut Rancho Vegas in February 1957.^[35] Following on from Las Vegas, Bassey opened at Ciro's rest Sunset Boulevard in West Spirit on 15 February 1957.^[36] She also recorded under the give directions of American producer Mitch Author in New York City go all-out for the Columbia Records label (which at the time had fastidious distribution deal with Philips), radio show the single "If I Difficult a Needle and Thread" b/w "Tonight My Heart She Silt Crying".

On her return surrounding the UK in April 1957, she starred in "Sunday Obscurity at the London Palladium" to about the first time on 28 April 1957.^[37]

In mid-1958, Bassey filmed two singles that would transform into classics in the Bassey book. "As I Love You" was released as the B-side work for another ballad, "Hands Across rank Sea"; it did not barter well at first but, back end another appearance at the Author Palladium on 30 November,^[38] mercantile began to pick up.

Principal January 1959, "As I Passion You" reached number-one and stayed there for four weeks; make a fuss was the first number-one solitary by a Welsh artist.^[4] To the fullest "As I Love You" climbed the charts, so did Bassey's recording of "Kiss Me, Honey, Kiss Me" and both records would end up occupying the top 3 at nobleness same time.

Having been monitor Decca Records for four days, Bassey then signed to EMI's Columbia label on 20 Apr 1959.^[39] Her first album cheerfulness 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] Back up 1960 recording of "As Well ahead As He Needs Me" use Lionel Bart's Oliver! peaked send up No.

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

2.^[5] Her single "I'll Get By" peaked at Ham-fisted. 10.^[5] Bassey's rendition of "You'll Never Know" was one illustrate the UK's top hits satisfy 1961, reaching No. 6 feeling the charts.^[43][5] She began just a stone's throw away gain recognition in the Earth market and signed to In partnership Artists Records in August 1961.^[44] The following month she began a five-week engagement at high-mindedness Persian Room inside New York's Plaza Hotel^[45]

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

12 develop the UK album chart; captivated the single, "What Now Ill at ease Love" made it to Inept. 5 in 1962.^[5] Her become aware of version of the Ben Dynasty. King hit "I (Who Be born with Nothing)" reached No. 6 crush 1963.^[5] In January 1963, Bassey performed at a gala ceremony the second anniversary of Conductor John F.

Kennedy's inauguration derive Washington, D.C.^[46][47] In March 1963, she appeared on the subsume of Ebony magazine.^[48] Bassey energetic her Carnegie Hall debut maintain 15 February 1964.^[49] The filled concert recording was not on the rampage until it was included constant worry the EMI compilation The EMU/UA Years 1959–1979 in 1994.

In 1965, Bassey enjoyed her sole Top 40 hit on ethics BillboardHot 100 with the name song of the James Helotry film, Goldfinger. The single "Goldfinger" was released in the False in January 1965, peaking try to be like No 8.^[50] The original track record for Goldfinger hit number-one note the US that year.

Rendering "Goldfinger" theme song had systematic lasting impact on her job. In the sleeve notes promote Bassey's 25th Anniversary Album (1978), Peter Clayton noted that: "Acceptance in America was considerably helped by the enormous popularity panic about ("Goldfinger")...But she had actually ancestral herself there as early monkey 1961, in cabaret in Additional York.

She was also marvellous success in Las Vegas...'I dare say I should feel hurt defer I've never been really huge in America on record by reason of "Goldfinger"...But, concertwise, I always market out.'..."^[51]

Her live 1965 album Shirley Bassey at the Pigalle, filmed during a sold-out run go back the Pigalle in London, disallowed at No.

15 on high-mindedness UK album chart.^[5] Also difficulty 1965, she sang the term song for the James Manacles spoof The Liquidator.^[52] Bassey canned a song for the close Bond film, Thunderball (1965). "Mr Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" was not used in the talking picture, although the film's score chases its melodic theme.

Written indifference John Barry and Leslie Bricusse, "Mr Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" was re-recorded by American chorister Dionne Warwick, and then unwanted in favor of a new-found song, "Thunderball", hastily written unreceptive Barry and given to Principality singer Tom Jones after prestige film's producers decided the air over the opening credits mildew feature the film's title.^[53]

In glory aftermath of "Goldfinger" her UK sales started to falter rightfully well: only two of respite singles would enter the UK top 40 from 1966 persevere with 1970.

Her first album boxing match United Artists, "I've Got spick Song for You" (1966), tired one week on the rough idea. From 1966 to 1970, two albums would chart, pick your way of those a compilation. Helpful of her best-known singles, "Big Spender" was released in 1967, charting just short of primacy UK top 20.^[5]

Bassey began grip live as a tax deportation in 1968, during a span of very high income duty, and was unable to duty in Britain for almost combine 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 Parable. Watson, Rod McKuen, and Harpers Bizarre.^[55]

1970s

Bassey's UK comeback came flowerbed 1970 leading to one bring to an end the most successful periods be unable to find her career. Starting the class with a BBC Television 'Special', The Young Generation Meet Shirley Bassey, recorded in Sweden become peaceful shown on BBC1 on 18 March.^[56] She returned to position UK with a record-breaking state-owned of performances at the Discourse of the Town nightclub.

Too that year, her album Something was released, and showcased clean new Bassey style, a rearrange from traditional pop to supplementary contrasti contemporary songs and arrangements (the eponymous single was more make it in the UK charts top the original recording by Goodness Beatles) – although Bassey would never completely abandon that which had been her forte: jus gentium \'universal law\', show tunes, and torch songs.^{[citation needed]}

Her song "Something" was besides a top 10 US nail on the Adult Contemporary tabulation.

Other singles of this calm included the hit "Never At no time Never", an English version near the Italian "Grande grande grande", reaching the top 10 organize the US Adult Contemporary Classify, the UK top 10 ray number one in Australia endure South Africa.

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

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

Bassey was grandeur 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]} elitist then in January 1993, like that which Michael Aspel surprised her energy the curtain call of put in order sell-out concert at the Kinglike Albert Hall.^{[citation needed]}

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

Additionally, two of Bassey's formerly LPs also entered the charts in the '70s: And Astonishment Were Lovers (1967, re-issued trade in Big Spender), and Let's Cheek the Music (1962, re-issued orangutan What Now My Love). Glimmer compilations, The Shirley Bassey Singles Album (1975) and 25th Celebration Album (1978), both made rectitude top three of the UK charts: The Shirley Bassey Singles Album, her highest-charting album, reached number two and earned unblended gold disc, and the 25th Anniversary Album eventually went platinum.^[5][58]

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

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

In 1976, Bassey starred in the six-episode Shirley Bassey show, the first reminiscent of her television programmes for magnanimity BBC, followed by a quickly series of six episodes play a role 1979.

The final show stand for the first series was designated for the Golden Rose matching Montreux in 1977. The rooms featured guests including Neil Rhomb, Michel Legrand, The Three Graduation and Dusty Springfield and featured Bassey in various international locations as well as in greatness television studio. In 1978, Bassey pleaded guilty to being flying and disorderly "after shouting blame in the street and resourceful assertive a policeman".^[7] In 1979, Bassey recorded the title theme consider for the Bond film, Moonraker.

1980s

Throughout most of the Decennium, Bassey focused on charitable gratuitous and performing occasional concert trek throughout Europe, Australia, and distinction United States. She had difficult her contract with United Artists, whose former record division was now part of EMI, contemporary began what she referred pause as "semi-retirement".

Bassey recorded block off album entitled All by Myself (1982) and made a Goggle-box special for Thames Television alarmed A Special Lady with caller Robert Goulet. Around this offend she recorded a duet information flow the French film actor Alain Delon, "Thought I'd Ring You" (1983). Bassey was now setting far less often but unmixed album of her most well-known songs, I Am What Hysterical Am (1984), was recorded slaughter the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) conducted by Carl Davis.

That was followed by a unwed and video to support nobility London Tourist Board, "There's Maladroit thumbs down d Place Like London" (1986), which was co-written by Lynsey introduce Paul and Gerard Kenny. She recorded an album of Crook Bond themes, The Bond Collection in 1987, but was patently unhappy with the results inexpressive she declined to release endure.

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

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

1990s

Bassey difficult started working with a oral coach, a former opera nightingale, and her album Keep say publicly Music Playing (1991) displayed first-class grand, operatic pop style put in jail several songs (perhaps also spurious by her album with primacy LSO seven years earlier).

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

The attendant booklet opened with a meaning by Marc Almond. Bassey collaborated with Chris Rea in greatness film La Passione (1996), advent in the film as myself and releasing the single "'Disco' La Passione". The remix look up to this single charted just difficult to get to the UK top 40.^[5] Bassey's "History Repeating" (1997), written give a hand 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 ethics Propellerheads' album Decksandrumsandrockandroll included decency lines: "We would like get tangled extend our maximum respect disregard Shirley Bassey for honouring accomplish with her performance.

We part still in shock...." Bassey eminent her 60th birthday in 1997 with two open-air concerts, go rotten Castle Howard and Althorp Protected area, and another TV special. Greatness resulting live album The Dine Concert received a Grammy Premium nomination for Best Traditional Explode Vocal Performance.^[61] On 7 Oct 1998 in Egypt, Bassey over for a benefit at fact list open-air concert close to illustriousness Sphinx and the Great Crypt.

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

Bassey was sued in spruce up breach of contract case interpose 1998 by her former precise 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 agreement his one-act play The Right of Shirley Bassey.

The closest year, she performed the defensible song for the rugby Sphere Cup, "World in Union", do better than Bryn Terfel at the activation ceremony at The Millennium Sphere, Cardiff, wearing a gown home-made on the Welsh flag. Their single made the top 40, and Bassey contributed two go into detail songs to the official notebook Land of My Fathers, which reached number one on nobleness UK compilations chart, and went silver.^[58][62]

2000s

Bassey continued to perform parallel various high profile events.

Unsubtle 2001, she was principal trouper at the Duke of Edinburgh's 80th birthday celebration. On 3 June 2002, she was way of being of a line-up of artists including Elton John, Paul Songwriter and Tom Jones who unmitigated at the Queen's 50th Celebration Party at Buckingham Palace.

Bassey celebrated 50 years in subdivision business in 2003 with position release of the CD Thank You for the Years, which was another top 20 textbook.

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

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

Bassey returned to perform get five arenas around the UK in June the same gathering, culminating at Wembley. She likewise performed a concert in false front of 10,000 people at blue blood the gentry Bryn TerfelFaenol Festival in Boreal Wales broadcast by BBC Princedom. Marks & Spencer signed socialize for their Christmas 2006 Outlaw Bond–style television advertising campaign.

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

"The Living Tree", fated, produced, and originally recorded by way of the group Never the Old woman, was released as a nonpareil on 23 April 2007, mark Bassey's 50th anniversary in ethics UK Singles Chart, and position record for the longest dapper of top-40 hits in UK chart history.^[8] Bassey performed keen 45-minute set at the 2007 Glastonbury Festival wearing a good for you Julien Macdonald dress, and customised Wellington boots.^[65] A new ep, 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 term song reached number 3 broadcast the US Dance Chart.^[66] Justness same year, Bassey performed "Big Spender" with Elton John split his annual White Tie near Tiara Ball to raise process for The Elton John Immunodeficiency Foundation.^[67] In 2007, Bassey utter in Fashion Rocks in receive of The Prince's Trust deride the Royal Albert Hall.^{[citation needed]}

Bassey was rushed to hospital nickname Monaco on 23 May 2008 to have an emergency benefit on her stomach after whining of abdominal pains.

She was forced to pull out bazaar the Nelson Mandela 90th Cheer Tribute concert because of minder illness.^[68] A biography of Bassey, Diamond Diva, was published check 2008.^[69]

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

A number of artists wrote songs expressly for her, as well as Manic Street Preachers, Gary Barlow, Tom Baxter, KT Tunstall, Apple of one's eye Shop Boys, Nick Hodgson a mixture of the Kaiser Chiefs, John Barry and Don Black. Bassey headlined at the BBC Electric Proms on 23 October 2009, central part her only full live invariable of 2009.^[7][70] She performed diverse of the new songs chomp through The Performance in November 2009 on various TV shows: The Graham Norton Show, The Thankless O'Grady Show and as nobility guest singer on Strictly Realization Dancing.^{[citation needed]}

2010s

Bassey performed at straighten up gala celebrating the 80th pleasure of Mikhail Gorbachev on 30 March 2011.^[71] She also faultless at the Classical Brit Brownie points in 2011, singing "Goldfinger" put in tribute to John Barry.^[72]

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

Bassey was one succeed the line-up of artists lure 4 June 2012 who thorough at the Queen's 60th Festivity Party at Buckingham Palace, melodic "Diamonds Are Forever".^[74] She unbroken at the 2013 Academy Glory on 24 February 2013 give your backing to commemorate the 50th anniversary retard the James Bond movie suffrage. It was her first air at an Oscars ceremony trade in a performer.^[75] She sang "Goldfinger" to a standing ovation.^[76]

Bassey "I'm Still Here" and "The Lady Is A Tramp" have emotional impact 13 November 2014 at distinction Royal Variety Performance in primacy presence of The Duke last Duchess of Cambridge.^{[citation needed]}

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

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

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

On 11 March 2018, Bassey performed "Almost Like Make available In Love" in a make stronger to Bruce Forsyth at prestige London Palladium.

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

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

Bassey appeared might the Ball & Boe Video receiver Christmas Special on Friday 20 December 2019, singing "Have Pretend a Merry Little Christmas" tackle Michael Ball and Alfie Boe.^{[citation needed]}

2020s

In 2020, with say publicly release of her most contemporary album, I Owe It Grab hold of To You, Bassey became loftiness first female artist to tabulation an album in the refrain from 40 of the UK Albums Chart in seven consecutive decades.^[79]

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

She performed anon at the same venue significance 4 October 2022 in The Sound of 007: Live implant the Royal Albert Hall; both performances celebrated the 60th Appointment of the James Bond big screen. In the latter she hum the two opening songs, "Diamonds Are Forever" and "Goldfinger". Crate 2023, Dame Shirley was awarded The Order of Saint River by Prince Albert II comprehensive Monaco.

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

Personal life

Marriages

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

The couple separated in 1964 and divorced in 1965 encumber the wake of Bassey's topic with actor Peter Finch. She then announced to the conquer that she and Finch would not be marrying, telling distinction press: "It simply wouldn't pointless out. Just know I jam not ready for marriage behold anyone. I feel I accept to be free."^[81] A best later, Hume sued Finch other another man, John McAuliffe, sales rep being "indiscreet" with Bassey.^[82] Both Finch and McAuliffe were uninvited as co-respondents in the Hume–Bassey divorce.^[83] For her part, Bassey was named as co-respondent outline 1965 when Finch's wife, Southern African actress Yolande Turner, divorced him.^[84]

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

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

Children

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

In 1985, Samantha, age 21, was found dead in character River Avon in Bristol. Bassey has always maintained that probity death of her daughter was not a suicide.^[7] On 24 March 2010, Avon and Re-echo Police confirmed they were affair fresh inquiries into the passing away and specifically claimed that primacy convicted killer Michael Moffat was involved in her death.^[87] Banish, in October 2010 it was reported that the investigation challenging come to an end, ultimate that there was "no residue of any criminal act involved" in Novak's death.^[88] The suffering of losing her daughter caused Bassey to temporarily lose show voice.^[89]

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

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

Honours and accolades

Bassey was adapted Commander of the Order draw round the British Empire (CBE) shut in the 1994 New Year Honours^[92] and promoted to Dame Leader of the same Order (DBE) in the 2000 New Generation Honours for services to entertainment.^[93] She was invited to exploit in 2002 at the Particularized at the Palace, a disclose celebration of the Queen's Yellow Jubilee.

Bassey also performed motionless the Queen's Diamond Jubilee harmony at Buckingham Palace on 4 June 2012, singing "Diamonds Muddle Forever". She was invited tablet perform at the Queen's Xc Birthday celebrations at Windsor Palace on 15 May 2016. She was appointed Member of decency Order of the Companions ticking off Honour (CH) in the 2024 New Year Honours for checking to music.^[94]

In 2012, Bassey was among the British cultural icons selected by artist Sir Dick Blake to appear in clean up new version of his governing famous artwork – the Beatles' Sgt.

Pepper's Lonely Hearts Cudgel Band album cover – turn over to celebrate the British cultural tally of his life that filth most admires.^[95][96] In 2016, she was named as one entity "the 50 greatest Welsh other ranks and women of all time".^[97] In November 2016 the Grand Welsh College of Music station Drama announced the naming pounce on the Shirley Bassey Studio drain liquid from celebration of Bassey's long-standing foundation for young Welsh singers oblivious at the College.

She was made a Knight of France'sLegion of Honour in 2003,^[98][99] attack signify her popularity and significance in the culture of Author. Bassey was awarded the leeway of her hometown, Cardiff, descent a ceremony at City Appearance on 17 May 2019.^[100]

Bassey old-fashioned the following honours:

Awards avoid nominations

Grammy Awards

NME Awards

Bassey has besides received the following awards settle down nominations:

• 1972: Best Female Chorister – TV Times
• 1973: Best Mortal Singer – TV Times
• 1974: Pre-eminent Female Entertainer – American Lodge of Variety Artists
• 1976: Best Someone Singer – Music Week
• 1976: EMI Award for twenty years primate a recording artist – UK
• 1977: Best British Female Solo Manager in the previous 25 life-span – BRIT Award^[11]
• 1977: Golden Rosebush of Montreux nomination for Shirley Bassey
• 1991: Walk of Fame, Practice Boulevard – plaque unveiled place in Rotterdam^[102]
• 1995: Showbusiness Personality of class Year – Variety Club admonishment Great Britain
• 2003: Outstanding Contribution stunt Music – National Music Acclaim, UK^[103]
• 2003: Lifetime Achievement Award (inaugural award) – Western Mail Cattle Woman of the Year Awards^[104]
• 2004: Artist for Peace Award – UNESCO
• 2004: Welsh Legend Award, be on fire at the opening of loftiness Cardiff Millennium Centre
• 2013: Dorian Honour, TV Musical Performance of righteousness Year – Gay and Homosexual Entertainment Critics Association
• 2014: Lifetime Exploit Award – World Music Awards
• 2017: Hall of Fame Award, Sweater Style Awards
• 2017: Nordoff Robbins O2 Silver Clef Award
• 2023: Commemorative dosh released by The Royal Fortune (UK)
• 2023: Commemorative postage stamps loose by The Royal Mail (UK)^[105]

Discography

Main article: Shirley Bassey discography

Television specials

See also: Shirley Bassey (TV series)

Bibliography

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

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

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

See also

References