Best known for her unequalled three James Bond themes - Goldfinger, Diamonds Are Forever and the rather forgettable Moonraker - Shirley Veronica Bassey has a longevity and status in popular Welsh music unsurpassed by any other major performer. In her astonishing five decades in the music industry, she's been thrilling fans old and young with her distinctive, diva-esque delivery.
Nobody's doing what I do. And the voice, sometimes it even takes me by surprise. I think, "God, where does it come from?"
Shirley Bassey
She was born on 8 January 1937 in Cardiff's Tiger Bay, the seventh child of Henry and Eliza Bassey. Her father was a seaman from Nigeria, and her mother was from the North of England.
Shirley left school in 1952 at the age of 15 to work in a local factory, but began her singing career the following year. In 1955 she left Cardiff for London, after being discovered by bandleader Jack Hylton.
In early 1957 her debut single The Banana Boat Song reached the top 10. It was followed by Kiss Me, Honey Honey, Kiss Me, and the number one As I Love You.
Key works
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Get The Party Started (2007)
Read the BBC Music review -
The Greatest Hits - This is My Life (2000)
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