Shirley Bassey

Shirley Bassey (1937-), Welsh cabaret singer, best known for her impassioned performance style in such songs as “Big Spender” (1967) and the James Bond theme-songs “Goldfinger” (1964) and “Diamonds Are Forever” (1972). As late as the 1980s, Bassey’s records had been in the British charts longer than those of any other female performer.

Born in the Tiger Bay area of Cardiff, Bassey’s father died when she was two. After working in a factory, she joined the chorus-line of the stage show Memories of Al Jolson at the age of 16. Her first Top-Ten hit was the calypso “Banana Boat Song” (1957), and “As I Love You” topped the charts in 1959. With her distinctive vocal style already apparent on “As Long As He Needs Me” (1960), Bassey broke through in the United States with devastating shows at New York’s Plaza Hotel; “Goldfinger” entered the US Top Ten. After further success with albums like Shirley Bassey (1962), Shirley Bassey Belts the Best (1965), Shirley Means Bassey (1966), and And We Were Lovers (1967), Bassey moved to Switzerland and recorded Does Anybody Miss Me? (1969). She concentrated on cabaret work (appearing at Carnegie Hall and Madison Square Garden), before going into semi-retirement in 1981. Despite suffering personal tragedy when her daughter drowned in 1985, Bassey was still appearing in television specials, recording new albums, and touring into the 1990s.

A powerful stage presence (the strength of her voice earned her the moniker “Bassey the Belter”), Bassey’s grand theatrical gestures and gravity-defying strapless dresses gave her performances a distinctive erotic edge, and her ability to interpret material encompassing rock and soul classics (including songs by the Beatles and the Doors), in addition to her staple torch songs, ensured her continuing success. In 1997 she featured in the song 'History Repeating' on an album by the Propellerheads. She was awarded a DBE in 1999.