Shirley Bassey
Born: 1937-01-08 in Butetown, Cardiff, Glamorgan, Wales, UK
Known 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
2024
- 60 Songs: BBC Two at 60 as Self (archive footage)
- I Can't Give You Anything But Love: The Jimmy McHugh Story as Self
2022
- The Sound of 007 as Self (archive footage)
- The Sound of 007: Live from the Royal Albert Hall as self
2021
- St David's Day at the BBC as Self
- The Art of Dissent as Self - Subject (archive footage)
2016
2014
- More Dangerous Songs: And the Banned Played On as Self - Performer
2012
- Sir Billi ... (Theme Song Performance)
- …Sings Musicals as Self (archive footage)
- Everything or Nothing as Self (archive footage)
- The Diamond Jubilee Concert 2012 as Self - Performer
2011
- Eric & Ernie: Behind the Scenes as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
2010
- …Sings Neil Diamond as Self (archive footage)
2009
2007
- The Graham Norton Show as Self
2006
- Another Audience with Shirley Bassey as Self - Performer
2001
- An Audience with Des O'Connor as Self
2000
- The Bond Sound: The Music of 007 as Self
- Shirley Bassey: Divas Are Forever as Self
1998
- Parkinson as Self
1997
- La Passione as Shirley Bassey
1995
- The World of James Bond as Self
- An Audience with Shirley Bassey as Self
1985
1983
- Bei Bio as Self
1981
1980
- Shirley Bassey: A Special Lady as Self
1979
- Moonraker ... (Theme Song Performance)
1978
- An Audience with... as Self
- Beto Nervio contra el poder de las tinieblas ... (Music)
1977
- Auf los geht's los as Self
1976
- The Muppet Show as Self - Special Guest Star
- Shirley Bassey as Self
1975
- Les Rendez-vous du dimanche as Self
1972
- Le Grand Échiquier as Self - Main Guest
- Ein Kessel Buntes as Self - Musician
1971
- Disco as Self
1970
- Man's Struggle for Survival ... (Songs)
1969
- Wünsch dir was as Self
1968
- Night-Club as Self
1967
- Europarty as Self
1964
- Goldfinger ... (Theme Song Performance)
1963
- The Danny Kaye Show as Self
- Viña del Mar International Song Festival as Self - Musical Guest
1961
- The Mike Douglas Show as Self - Co-Host
- Morecambe & Wise as Self
- The Bing Crosby Show as Self
1948
- The Ed Sullivan Show as Self