Shirley Bassey
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.
Movie Appearances
Party at the Palace: The Queen's Concerts, Buckingham Palace
as Self
2002
La Passione
as Shirley Bassey
1997
St David's Day at the BBC
as Self
2021
Shirley Bassey: Divas Are Forever
as Self
2000
The Art of Dissent
as Self - Subject (archive footage)
2021
An Audience with Shirley Bassey
as Self
1995
Dame Shirley Bassey: BBC Electric Proms
as self
2009
The Sound of 007
as Self (archive footage)
2022
The Sound of 007: Live from the Royal Albert Hall
as self
2022
Everything or Nothing
as Self (archive footage)
2012
Eric & Ernie: Behind the Scenes
as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
2011
Another Audience with Shirley Bassey
as Self - Performer
2006
…Sings Musicals
as Self (archive footage)
2012
…Sings Neil Diamond
as Self (archive footage)
2010
Shirley Bassey - You Ain't Heard Nothing Yet
as Self
1985
David Walliams Celebrates Dame Shirley Bassey
as Self
2016
The Bing Crosby Show
as Self
1961
Shirley Bassey: A Special Lady
as Self
1980
More Dangerous Songs: And the Banned Played On
as Self - Performer
2014
Children in Need Rocks the Royal Albert Hall
as Self
2009
TV Appearances
Bei Bio
as Self
1983
Europarty
as Self
1967
The Muppet Show
as Self - Special Guest Star
1976
Viña del Mar International Song Festival
as Self - Musical Guest
1963
The Mike Douglas Show
as Self - Co-Host
1961
Summertime Special
1981
Disco
as Self
1971
Shirley Bassey
as Self
1976
The Graham Norton Show
as Self
2007
An Audience with...
as Self
1978
The Ed Sullivan Show
as Self
1948
Ein Kessel Buntes
as Self - Musician
1972