Dame Shirley Bassey, a legendary Welsh singer, boasts a net worth of $10 million. She is widely recognized for her iconic performances of James Bond theme songs such as “Goldfinger,” “Diamonds Are Forever,” and “Moonraker.” Over the decades, she has released numerous hit albums, including “Something,” “I Capricorn,” “Get the Party Started,” and “I Owe it All to You.” Bassey has also enjoyed a successful television career, hosting her own variety series in the 70s and appearing in several BBC specials.
What is Shirley Bassey’s Early Life Like?
Shirley Bassey was born on January 8, 1937, in Cardiff, Wales. She was the youngest of six children of Eliza, an Englishwoman, and Henry, a Nigerian man. In addition to her siblings, she lived with two of her mother’s children from previous relationships. As a youth, Bassey attended Moorland Road School, where she sang in the school choir. She later attended secondary modern school but left at 14 to work at the manufacturing company Curran Steels. During the evenings, she would perform at local clubs and pubs, laying the groundwork for her future career.
How Did Shirley Bassey Begin Her Career?
Bassey’s professional music career began in 1953 when she signed her first contract as part of the “Memories of Jolson” variety show tour. Later that year, she signed with Columbia Productions for a two-performance engagement and went on tour with “Hot from Harlem.” Her show-stopping performance in the West End show “Such is Life” caught the attention of English impresario Jack Hylton, leading to a recording contract with Philips record producer Johnny Franz. Her first single, “Burn My Candle,” was banned by the BBC for being too suggestive, but in 1957, she achieved her first hit single in the UK with “The Banana Boat Song.” She then made her American stage debut in Las Vegas and performed in Los Angeles.
What Were Shirley Bassey’s Major Hits in the 60s and 70s?
Bassey’s career soared in the early 60s with several top-ten UK hit singles, including “As Long As He Needs Me,” “Reach for the Stars,” “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” “I’ll Get By,” and “You’ll Never Know.” She released the album “Let’s Face the Music” in collaboration with Nelson Riddle and his orchestra, spawning the hit single “What Now My Love.” In 1964, Bassey recorded the theme song for the James Bond film “Goldfinger,” which reached number eight on the Billboard Hot 100. She continued her success with live albums and hit singles, including “Big Spender.” After a brief hiatus as a tax exile, Bassey made a comeback in 1970 with the hit album “Something” and recorded the theme song for another James Bond film, “Diamonds Are Forever,” in 1971. The 70s saw more successful albums like “Something Else,” “I Capricorn,” “Love, Life and Feelings,” and “You Take My Heart Away,” as well as the compilation albums “The Shirley Bassey Singles Album” and “25th Anniversary Album.” She concluded the decade with the James Bond theme song for “Moonraker.”
How Did Shirley Bassey’s Career Continue in the 80s and Beyond?
In the 80s and 90s, Bassey entered a period of “semi-retirement” but continued to release albums such as “All by Myself,” “I Am What I Am,” and “Keep the Music Playing.” In 2003, she celebrated her 50 years in the industry with the album “Thank You for the Years.” She followed this with the hit album “Get the Party Started” in 2007. Her subsequent albums include “The Performance,” “Hello Like Before,” and “I Owe it All to You.” With her 2020 album, Bassey became the first female artist to have an album chart in the top 40 of the UK Albums Chart in seven consecutive decades.
What TV Specials Did Shirley Bassey Appear In?
Bassey has had a prolific television career with numerous BBC specials. Her first special, “Shirley Comes Home,” aired in 1957. Throughout the 60s, she had five more specials and seven in the 70s. She also hosted her own variety show from 1976 to 1979. Bassey continued to star in BBC television specials into the 90s and 2000s, maintaining her presence in the entertainment industry.
What is Shirley Bassey’s Personal Life Like?
In 1961, Bassey married Kenneth Hume, but they divorced in 1965 following her affair with actor Peter Finch. She married Sergio Novak in 1968, but they divorced in 1979. Bassey has two daughters, Sharon and Samantha, whose fathers are unknown. Tragically, Samantha was found dead in the River Avon at 21 in 1985. Bassey was named a Commander of the British Empire in 1994 and became a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1999. She has also been awarded the Legion d’Honneur, the highest order of merit in France.
What is Shirley Bassey’s Legacy?
Shirley Bassey’s illustrious career spans several decades, making her a significant figure in music history. With a net worth of $10 million, her success is a testament to her talent and hard work. Her contributions to the James Bond franchise and her numerous hit albums have solidified her status as an iconic singer. Bassey’s story is one of perseverance and dedication, inspiring many aspiring artists worldwide.
