Divas are forever
Dame Shirley Bassey is belting out the hits with new album I Owe It All To You. MARION MCMULLEN looks back at the singer’s long career in the spotlight
1988
Shirley is pictured here joining in the fun with fellow Welsh singer Tom Jones on the Des O’connor Christmas special. She would go on to have her own BBC1 series in the 1970s.
1957
An appearance for ITV’S Frankie Howerd Show saw Shirley rehearsing the song If I Had A Needle And Thread at TV studios in Sharpe House. The 83-year-old said that as a teenager her powerful voice was not appreciated by her teachers “but I kept on singing!” ”
1959
Found herself making the headlines when she became the first Welsh singer to have a number one single when As I Love You topped the charts for four weeks in January 1959.
1956
Shirley Veronica Bassey was born and brought up in the Tiger Bay docklands area of Cardiff. She worked in a factory packing chamber pots before she found fame with first single, Burn My Candle, in 1956 when she was 19.
1994
The Royal Variety Show offered the chance to appear with American singing star Tony Bennett. Prince Charles was in attendance and the evening also included the cast of Riverdance, Larry Grayson and Ronnie Corbett.
1960
Shirley’s star quality is very much in evidence here as she rehearses at Wood Green Television Studios. She has become best known for her songs like Big Spender and the theme tunes to three James Bond films – Goldfinger, Diamonds Are Forever and Moonraker.
1997
Shirley Bassey arrived in style for Elton John’s 50th birthday party at Hammersmith Palais. She has released 70 albums and sold nearly 140 million records during her career. Her new album on Decca Records is her first release in more than five years.
1979
The royal family have long been fans of the star. She was made a dame in 2000 in the New Year Honours. She said the honour for her service to the performing arts was the “icing on the cake” of her career. Her many accolades over the years include the Légion d’ honour and the Silver Clef Award. She was also the first recipient of a Brit Award for Best British Female Solo Artist and last year was awarded the Freedom of the City Of Cardiff. She is pictured here with the Prince of Wales
1965
Shirley invited Liverpool FC to her concert at the city’s Empire Theatre. The FA Cup winners were about to leave for Milan to play the second leg of their European Cup semi final but she offered them the chance to forget about football for an evening . During the intermission the team went backstage and joined Shirley behind the curtains for a rendition of As Long As He Needs Me.