Shirley Bassey

Shirley Bassey

  • Birthday: 1/8/1937
  • Place of birth: Butetown, Cardiff, Glamorgan, Wales, UK
  • Fame for: Acting

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.

Filmography

Party at the Palace: The Queen's Concerts, Buckingham Palace
Release date: 6/3/2002

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

Role(s): Self

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La Passione
Release date: 11/14/1996

La Passione

Role(s): Herself

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St David's Day at the BBC
Release date: 2/26/2021

St David's Day at the BBC

Role(s): Self

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Shirley Bassey: Divas Are Forever
Release date: 11/21/2000

Shirley Bassey: Divas Are Forever

Role(s): Herself

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The Art of Dissent
Release date: 10/5/2021

The Art of Dissent

Role(s): Self - Subject (archive footage)

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