Shirley Bassey

Shirley Bassey

Birth : 1937-01-08, Butetown, Cardiff, Glamorgan, Wales, UK

History

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.

Profile

Shirley Bassey

Movies

The Sound of 007: Live from the Royal Albert Hall
self
Celebrates 60 years of the Bond film franchise. The concert is curated by the legendary Bond composer David Arnold and will feature special guest artists all putting their own interpretation on classic theme songs, backed by the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra. The date marks the anniversary of the premiere of the first 007 film, Dr. No.
The Sound of 007
Self (archive footage)
Pull back the curtain on the remarkable history of six decades of James Bond music, from Sean Connery’s Dr No through to Daniel Craig’s final outing in No Time to Die.
St David's Day at the BBC
Self
To celebrate St David’s Day, this trip through the BBC’s music archives features a selection of tracks from some of the most important and innovative Welsh artists of the past few decades. The programme includes performances by Manic Street Preachers, Catatonia, Super Furry Animals, Marina and the Diamonds, Stereophonics, Feeder, Shakin’ Stevens, Bonnie Tyler, Dame Shirley Bassey and Sir Tom Jones.
David Walliams Celebrates Dame Shirley Bassey
Dame Shirley Bassey
Ahead of her 80th birthday in Janurary 2017, comic actor David Walliams hosts this special night of entertainment paying tribute to Welsh diva Dame Shirley Bassey. Featuring songs, interviews and comedy sketches.
More Dangerous Songs: And the Banned Played On
Performer
More Dangerous Songs: And the Banned Played On features previously banned songs by the BBC including "Lola" by the Kinks, "Jackie" by Scott Walker and "(We Don't Need this) Fascist Groove Thang" by Heaven 17.
Everything or Nothing
Self (archive footage)
The story of three men with a shared dream: James Bond franchise producers Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman, and Bond creator and author Ian Fleming. It’s the thrilling and inspiring narrative behind the longest running film franchise in cinema history, which began in 1962.
…Sings Musicals
Self (archive footage)
BBC archive performances from musicals, including Ella Fitzgerald singing Mack the Knife, Captain Sensible performing a classic from South Pacific and Jay Z taking on Annie.
…Sings Neil Diamond
Self (archive footage)
A compilation from the BBC archive of performances featuring songs written by, or associated with, Neil Diamond. Featuring Lulu, UB40, Vince Hill, Robert Wyatt, Gladys Knight, Urge Overkill, Lena Zavaroni, The Hollies and a duet by Neil Diamond and Shirley Bassey.
Children in Need Rocks the Royal Albert Hall
Herself
Children in Need Rocks the Royal Albert Hall is a charity music concert held at the Royal Albert Hall in London, England on 12 November 2009. The concert was organised by Take That singer Gary Barlow as one of a series of events to raise money for Children in Need 2009. The huge success of the concert inspired Barlow to organise Children in Need Rocks Manchester at the Manchester Arena, Manchester in 2011.
Dame Shirley Bassey: BBC Electric Proms
self
Dame Shirley Bassey graced the Roundhouse stage with a unique performance celebrating 50 years at the top of show business.
Another Audience with Shirley Bassey
The legendary Welsh songstress delights a select crowd for the second time in this television special.
Party at the Palace: The Queen's Concerts, Buckingham Palace
Herself
Well known performers accompanied by 12,000 selected members of the public on the lawn of Buckingham Palace to celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee.
Shirley Bassey: Divas Are Forever
Herself
A full concert film featuring Shirley Bassey on stage in Antwerp, Belgium during the 'Diamond Awards Festival', including some of her greatest hits, interspersed with behind-the-scenes footage and interviews.
The Bond Sound: The Music of 007
Self
Documentary discussing the many songs featured in the James Bond films
La Passione
Herself
For one young boy, a passion can be more than just a dream.
The World of James Bond
Elizabeth Hurley hosts a one hour documentary on the history of the James Bond film series to tie in with the seventeenth Bond film, GoldenEye.
An Audience with Shirley Bassey
Self
Showbiz legend Dame Shirley Bassey delights a celebrity audience by singing songs and answering light-hearted questions. Enjoy renditions including Born to Sing and George Harrison's Something from the sequin-gowned Welsh songstress.
Shirley Bassey - You Ain't Heard Nothing Yet
Shirley Bassey
In 1985 Dame Shirley Bassey gave a performance to help raise money for the 1986 Commonwealth games that were held in Edinburgh in Scotland. Dame Shirley sang four songs: Nobody does it like me, Arthur's theme, You ain't heard nothing yet and This is my life.
A Special Lady
Herself
Recorded and broadcast by British TV (Thames Television) in 1980 with special guests Robert Goulet and Richard Clayderman
Moonraker
Theme Song Performance
After Drax Industries' Moonraker space shuttle is hijacked, secret agent James Bond is assigned to investigate, traveling to California to meet the company's owner, the mysterious Hugo Drax. With the help of scientist Dr. Holly Goodhead, Bond soon uncovers Drax's nefarious plans for humanity, all the while fending off an old nemesis, Jaws, and venturing to Venice, Rio, the Amazon...and even outer space.
Beto Nervio contra el poder de las tinieblas
Music
Diamonds Are Forever
Theme Song Performance
Diamonds are stolen only to be sold again in the international market. James Bond infiltrates a smuggling mission to find out who's guilty. The mission takes him to Las Vegas where Bond meets his archenemy Blofeld.
Goldfinger
Theme Song Performance
Special agent 007 comes face to face with one of the most notorious villains of all time, and now he must outwit and outgun the powerful tycoon to prevent him from cashing in on a devious scheme to raid Fort Knox -- and obliterate the world's economy.
The Bing Crosby Show
Self
Guests: Bob Hope, Marion Ryan, Dave King, Terry-Thomas, Shirley Bassey. Filmed on location in London, where Bing was filming Road to Hong Kong. Bing wanders the streets of London encountering his guests, including Bob Hope (in drag).