Treasured Music

Shirley Bassey - “The Female Tom Jones”

Why the tag, “The Female Tom Jones”? Both were born in Wales, U.K. Both have very powerful voices. Both are considered sensual performers…Johnny Carson said so.

Shirley Veronica Bassey was born in Wales in 1937 to a Nigerian Father and British mother, and the youngest of seven children. In 1954, “had become disenchanted with show business, and had become pregnant at 16 with her daughter Sharon, so she went back to waitressing in Cardiff. However, in 1955, a chance recommendation of her to Michael Sullivan, a Streatham-born booking agent, put her firmly on course for her destined career. He saw talent in Bassey, and decided he would make her a star. She toured various theatres until she got an offer of the show that put her firmly on the road to stardom, Al Read’s Such Is Life at the Adelphi Theatre in London’s West End. While she starred in this show, Philips A&R and record producer Johnny Franz spotted her on television, was impressed, and offered her a record deal. (ref)”

During the 1960s through the 1980s, she had many hits. However, I think she is best know outside of Britain as a prolific singer of James Bond theme songs. These included Goldfinger, Diamonds Are Forever, and Moonraker.

Shirley Bassey was “created a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE)” in 1999. She was “also awarded France’s top honour, the Legion d’Honneur.”

Enjoy these videos clips of Dame Shirley Bassey:
Diamonds Are Forever
Where Do I Begin (Love Story)

Tags: Diamonds Are Forever, Order of the British Empire, Shirley Bassey, siner, Where Do I Begin