Shirley Bassey is a popular British singer. The popularity of the performer went beyond the borders of her homeland after the compositions performed by her sounded in a series of films about James Bond: Goldfinger (1964), Diamonds Are Forever (1971) and Moonraker (1979).
This is the only star who recorded more than one track for a James Bond film. Shirley Bassey was awarded the title of Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire. The singer is from the category of celebrities that is always at the hearing of journalists and fans. After 40 years since the beginning of her creative career, Shirley is recognized as the most successful artist in the UK.
Childhood and youth Shirley Bassey
The talented Shirley Bassey spent her childhood in the heart of Wales, Cardiff. The fact that on January 8, 1937 a star was born, relatives did not even know, because their family lived very poorly. The girl was the seventh child in a row in the family of an Englishwoman and a Nigerian sailor. When the girl was 2 years old, her parents divorced.
Shirley has been interested in art since childhood. Growing up, she admitted that her taste in music was shaped by the songs of Al Jolson. His shows and musicals were the main highlight of Broadway in the distant 1920s. Little Bassey tried to imitate her idol in everything.
When the head of the family left the family, all the worries fell on the shoulders of the mother and children. As a teenager, Shirley had to drop out of school to get a job in a factory. In the evenings, young Bassey also did not sleep - she performed in local bars and restaurants. The girl brought the proceeds to her mother.
Around the same period of time, the young artist made her debut in the show "Memories of Jolson". Participation in the show turned out to be a great honor for Bassey, since the singer was her childhood idol.
Then she starred in another project. We are talking about the show Hot From Harlem. In it, Shirley started already as a professional vocalist. Despite the increase in popularity, fame is too tired of a teenage girl.
At 16, Shirley became pregnant. The girl decided to leave the child, and therefore went home. In 1955, when she gave birth to her daughter Sharon, she had to take a job as a waitress. The case helped agent Michael Sullivan find the girl.
Michael, shocked by the girl's voice, suggested that she build a singing career. Shirley Bassey had no choice but to accept the offer.
The creative path of Shirley Bassey
Shirley Bassey began her creative career in theaters. In the Al Read show, producer Joni Franz saw in the girl excellent vocal and artistic abilities.
The debut single of the beginning performer was released in February 1956. The track was recorded thanks to Philips. Critics saw frivolity in the performance of the composition. The song was not allowed to air.
It took Schilli exactly one year to correct the situation. Her track started at number 8 on the UK Singles Chart. Finally, they started talking about Bassey as a serious and strong vocalist. In 1958, two of the singer's tracks became hits at once. A year later, she presented her debut album to fans of her work.
Shilly's first LP was called The Bewitching Miss Bassey. The collection includes tracks released earlier during the contract with Philips.
After the presentation of her debut album, the singer received an offer from EMI Columbia. Soon, Shilly signed a contract with the label, which marked a new stage in her creative biography.
The Peak of Shirley Bassey's Popularity
During the 1960s, the singer recorded several musical compositions. They topped the UK charts. Bassey's first track since signing with EMI was As Long As He Needs Me. In 1960, the song took the 2nd position of the British charts and stayed there for 30 weeks.
Another significant event in the creative biography of the British singer was the collaboration in the mid-1960s with George Martin, the producer of the legendary band The Beatles.
In 1964, Bassey conquered the top of the American charts with the song for the James Bond movie "Goldfinger". The popularity of the track increased the rating of the performer in the United States of America. She began to be invited to rating American television programs and shows.
In February 1964, she made her successful debut in America on the stage of the famous concert hall Carnegie Hall. Interestingly, the recording of Bassey's concert was initially considered base. The recording was subsequently restored and released only in the mid-1990s.
Signing with United Artists
In the late 1960s, the British singer signed a contract with the popular American label United Artists. There, Bassey managed to record four full-length albums. But to be frank, the records impressed only the loyal fans of the British diva.
However, this situation changed radically with the appearance of the Something album, which the public saw in 1970. This collection illustrated Bassey's renewed musical style. Music critics have reported that Something is the most successful album in Shirley Bassey's discography.
The track of the same name from the new record became more popular in the British charts than the original Beatles composition. The success of the single and the compilation contributed to the demand and subsequent musical creations of Bassey. The British singer recalls:
“Recording the disc Something is a turning point in my biography. I can safely say that the collection made me a pop star, but at the same time it turned out to be a natural development of the musical style. I just walked into the recording studio with some stuff that was George Harrison's Something. I confess that I did not even know that this was a Beatles track and that it was composed by George Harrison ... But I was pleasantly impressed by what I heard ... ".
A year later, Bassey again recorded the title track for the next Bond movie, Diamonds Are Forever. In 1978, the VFG "Melody" under the license of United Artists Records released a collection of 12 numbers by Shirley Bassey.
Soviet music lovers, who were not spoiled by foreign hits, appreciated Bassey's compositions. From the list of songs, they especially liked the tracks: Diamonds are Forever, Something, The Fool on the Hill, Never, Never, Never.
For the period from 1970 to 1979. The discography of the British singer has increased by 18 studio albums. Individual compositions by Bassey became hits in Britain and the United States of America. The end of the 1970s was marked by the filming of a celebrity in two high-rated television series.
Shirley Bassey in the 1980s
In the early 1980s, the singer gave a number of concerts in Europe and the United States of America. In addition, Bassey was noted as a patron of the arts.
In the mid-1980s, she performed as a guest at the International Polish Song Festival in Sopot. Live performances of the British singer have always been brilliant. The audience loved her for expressive gestures, impulsive presentation of musical compositions and sincerity.
The 1980s are not rich in new albums. The frequency of compilation releases has been noticeably reduced, and this could not be ignored by loyal fans.
In the mid-1980s, Bassey's discography was replenished with an album, which included the top compositions of her repertoire. The collection was called I Am What I Am. The record was warmly received by music lovers and music critics.
A few years later, the performer presented the musical composition There's No Place Like London, authored by Lynsey de Paul and Gerard Kenny. The work was appreciated by the fans. The track was frequently played on British and American radio stations.
In the late 1980s, Bassey presented the album La Mujer. A peculiar highlight of the collection was that the tracks of the disc were recorded in Spanish.
Shirley Bassey's personal life
The personal life of the British singer remains a mystery to many. Bassey does not like to remember the details of life with her husbands, so this is a closed topic for journalists.
The first husband - producer Kenneth Hume turned out to be a homosexual. Bassey and Kenneth were married for only 4 years. The man voluntarily passed away. For the singer, this news was a great personal tragedy, because after the divorce, the former spouses maintained friendly relations.
The second spouse of the celebrity was the Italian producer Sergio Novak. Family relations lasted more than 11 years. In rare interviews, Bassey speaks warmly of her second husband.
The terrible news of the death of her daughter Samantha in 1984 divided the life of the British singer into before and after. If you believe the conclusion of the police, then the daughter of a celebrity committed suicide.
Shirley Bassey was so upset by the loss that she temporarily lost her voice. A few weeks later, the performer found the strength to go on stage. The audience greeted Shirley with a standing ovation. Star recalls:
“I was wearing an ordinary black dress. When I stepped onto the stage, the audience stood up and gave me a five-minute standing ovation. My fans have been a huge support to me. All this gives an extraordinary adrenaline rush. It can be compared with the action of a drug ... ".
Interesting facts about Shirley Bassey
- Asked if the singer's singing style is similar to that of Edith Piaf and Judy Garland, Bassey replied: “I don't mind such comparisons because I think these singers are the best ... and being compared to the best is very good.
- In the early 2000s, the British singer had a double. A wax statue of Shirley flaunts in the popular Madame Tussauds.
- The singer showed herself as a TV presenter. In 1979, she hosted her own show on the popular BBC channel. The program featuring Bassey had high ratings.
- In the mid-1960s, Shirley Bassey recorded a song called Mr. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. The track was supposed to sound in the next movie about James Bond. Soon the name of the composition was changed to Thunderball. Music lovers heard the composition only after 27 years. It was included in the album, which was dedicated to the music from Bond.
- In the 1980s, the performer appeared in the 100th anniversary episode of the television series The Muppet Show. Bassey performed three tracks: Fire Down Below, Pennies from Heaven, Goldfinger.
Shirley Bassey today
Shirley Bassey continues to delight fans. The British singer is in amazing physical shape despite turning 2020 in 83.
Interestingly, Shirley still has the unspoken title of a gay icon. Fans of her work, who belong to sexual minorities, single out the work of Shirley Bassey as a symbol of vitality.
Bassey admits that she loves the attention of "fans". The singer happily communicates with the audience and gives them autographs. In 2020, she celebrated her 70th anniversary of her creative career.
83-year-old singer Shirley Bassey announced that soon her discography will be replenished with a new album. With this collection, Bassey is going to celebrate the 70th anniversary of his work in show business and leave his career.
According to the singer, the new album will include the most lyrical and intimate songs. Bassey recorded them in studios in London, Prague, Monaco and the south of France. The album will be released on Decca Records. However, the date is kept secret.
