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.

Known For

The Graham Norton Show

The Mike Douglas Show

The Mike Douglas Show

The Ed Sullivan Show

Les Rendez-vous du dimanche

Le Grand Échiquier

An Audience with...

Parkinson

All Movies (28)

• I Can't Give You Anything But Love: The Jimmy McHugh Story2024 · as Self
• 60 Songs: BBC Two at 602024 · as Self (archive footage)
• The Sound of 007: Live from the Royal Albert Hall2022 · as self
• The Sound of 0072022 · as Self (archive footage)
• The Art of Dissent2021 · as Self - Subject (archive footage)
• St David's Day at the BBC2021 · as Self
• Saturday Knight Takeaway2018 · as Self
• The Missing Crown Jewels2017 · as Self
• David Walliams Celebrates Dame Shirley Bassey2016 · as Self
• More Dangerous Songs: And the Banned Played On2014 · as Self - Performer
• Everything or Nothing2012 · as Self (archive footage)
• The Diamond Jubilee Concert 20122012 · as Self - Performer
• …Sings Musicals2012 · as Self (archive footage)
• Eric & Ernie: Behind the Scenes2011 · as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
• …Sings Neil Diamond2010 · as Self (archive footage)
• Children in Need Rocks the Royal Albert Hall2009 · as Self
• Dame Shirley Bassey: BBC Electric Proms2009 · as self
• Another Audience with Shirley Bassey2006 · as Self - Performer
• Party at the Palace: The Queen's Concerts, Buckingham Palace2002 · as Self
• An Audience with Des O'Connor2001 · as Self
• Shirley Bassey: Divas Are Forever2000 · as Self
• The Bond Sound: The Music of 0072000 · as Self
• La Passione1997 · as Shirley Bassey
• The World of James Bond1995 · as Self
• An Audience with Shirley Bassey1995 · as Self
• Shirley Bassey - You Ain't Heard Nothing Yet1985 · as Self
• Shirley Bassey: A Special Lady1980 · as Self
• The Bing Crosby Show1961 · as Self

All TV Shows (21)

• The Graham Norton Show2007 · as Self
• Parkinson1998 · as Self
• Bei Bio1983 · as Self
• Summertime Special1981
• An Audience with...1978 · as Self
• Auf los geht's los1977 · as Self
• Shirley Bassey1976 · as Self
• The Muppet Show1976 · as Self - Special Guest Star
• Les Rendez-vous du dimanche1975 · as Self
• Ein Kessel Buntes1972 · as Self - Musician
• Le Grand Échiquier1972 · as Self - Main Guest
• Disco1971 · as Self
• Wünsch dir was1969 · as Self
• Night-Club1968 · as Self
• Europarty1967 · as Self
• The Danny Kaye Show1963 · as Self
• Viña del Mar International Song Festival1963 · as Self - Musical Guest
• The Mike Douglas Show1961 · as Self - Co-Host
• The Mike Douglas Show1961 · as Self - Co-Hostess
• Morecambe & Wise1961 · as Self
• The Ed Sullivan Show1948 · as Self