Shirley Bassey

Shirley Bassey

1937-01-08

Biography

Shirley Bassey is a Welsh singer known for both her powerful operatic voice and for recording the theme songs to the James Bond films 'Goldfinger' (1964); 'Diamonds Are Forever' (1971) and 'Moonraker' (1979). Born on Bute Street in Butetown (also known as 'Tiger Bay') in the docklands area of Cardiff, she was was the sixth and youngest child of Henry Bassey, from Nigeria, and Eliza Jane Start, from the north-east of England, but grew up in the adjacent community of Splott. After leaving Splott Secondary Modern School at the age of 14, Bassey found work at the local Curran Steels factory, while singing in public houses and clubs in the evenings and on weekends. In 1953, she signed her first professional contract and went on to work for the impresario Jack Hylton. She recorded her first single in 1956.

Also appears in

The Sound of 007

The Sound of 007

7.2

Everything or Nothing

Everything or Nothing

7.1

The World of James Bond

The World of James Bond

6.0

Children in Need Rocks the Royal Albert Hall

Children in Need Rocks the Royal Albert Hall

Not yet rated

Party at the Palace: The Queen’s Concerts, Buckingham Palace

Party at the Palace: The Queen’s Concerts, Buckingham Palace

5.4

The Sound of 007: Live from the Royal Albert Hall

The Sound of 007: Live from the Royal Albert Hall

5.8

More Dangerous Songs: And the Banned Played On

More Dangerous Songs: And the Banned Played On

Not yet rated

The Art of Dissent

The Art of Dissent

Not yet rated

Shirley Bassey: A Special Lady

Shirley Bassey: A Special Lady

Not yet rated

The Bing Crosby Show

The Bing Crosby Show

Not yet rated

Eric & Ernie: Behind the Scenes

Eric & Ernie: Behind the Scenes

Not yet rated

I Can’t Give You Anything But Love: The Jimmy McHugh Story

I Can’t Give You Anything But Love: The Jimmy McHugh Story

Not yet rated

David Walliams Celebrates Dame Shirley Bassey

David Walliams Celebrates Dame Shirley Bassey

Not yet rated

…Sings Neil Diamond

…Sings Neil Diamond

Not yet rated

La Passione

La Passione

10.0

Shirley Bassey - You Ain’t Heard Nothing Yet

Shirley Bassey - You Ain’t Heard Nothing Yet

7.0

Dame Shirley Bassey: BBC Electric Proms

Dame Shirley Bassey: BBC Electric Proms

Not yet rated

Another Audience with Shirley Bassey

Another Audience with Shirley Bassey

Not yet rated

The Diamond Jubilee Concert 2012

The Diamond Jubilee Concert 2012

8.2

Shirley Bassey: Divas Are Forever

Shirley Bassey: Divas Are Forever

6.0