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Shirley Bassey

(1937-), Singer

Dame Shirley Veronica Bassey

Sitter in 22 portraits
Singer and entertainer. The youngest of seven children Bassey was born in Tiger Bay, Cardiff. Her musical career has included 30 hit singles and 33 hit albums and was launched in 1957 with the 'Banana Boat Song'. Other hits in the 1950s include 'Kiss Me Honey Honey, Kiss Me' (1958) and the UK chart topper 'As I Love You' (1958). In 1960 Bassey, now signed to EMI's Columbia label, scored a number two hit with 'As Long As He Needs Me', from Lionel Bart's musical Oliver! Other 1960s Top 10 hits were 'Reach for the Stars' (1961),'What Now My Love?' (1962) and 'I (Who Have Nothing)' (1963) and many top selling LPs. In 1977 she received a Britannia Award for 'Best female Solo Singer In The Last 50 Years'. Known for her dynamic singing, extravagant gestures and lavishly styled gowns, she was one of the first black British performers to gain international fame. Bassey was made a Dame of the British Empire in 1999.

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Shirley Bassey

by Angus McBean
bromide print, 1959
NPG P885

Shirley Bassey

by David Sim, for Camera Press
bromide press print, circa 1950s
NPG x194374

Shirley Bassey

by John Pratt
gelatin silver print, 1955
NPG x198360

Shirley Bassey; Eliza-Jane Metcalfe (née Start)

by John Pratt
gelatin silver print, 1955
NPG x198361

Shirley Bassey

by Russell Sedgwick, for Camera Press
bromide press print, circa 1956
NPG x194373

Shirley Bassey; Sharon Bassey

by Bob Collins
selenium-toned bromide print from original negative, 1957
NPG x128714

Shirley Bassey; Sharon Bassey

by Bob Collins
selenium-toned bromide print from original negative, 1957
NPG x128715

Shirley Bassey; Sharon Bassey

by Bob Collins
selenium-toned bromide print from original negative, 1957
NPG x128716

Shirley Bassey

by Unknown photographer
bromide press print, 11 November 1957
NPG x194402

Shirley Bassey

for Central Press
gelatin silver print, 8 July 1957
NPG x194485

Shirley Bassey

by Bob Collins
modern bromide print from original negative, 1957
NPG x35146

Shirley Bassey

by Derek Allen
vintage print, 1958
NPG x194226

Shirley Bassey

by Derek Allen
modern bromide print from original negative, 1958
NPG x45658

Shirley Bassey

by Harry Hammond
bromide print, 1960
NPG x15516

Shirley Bassey

by Koo Stark
toned bromide fibre print, 1992
NPG x88686

Shirley Bassey

by Mike Owen
digital C-type colour print, 1997
NPG x128532

Shirley Bassey

by Venetia Dearden
giclée print, 2007
NPG x134367

Shirley Bassey

by Mary McCartney
bromide print, August 2009
NPG x133093

Shapiro Bernstein's Top 10 Hit Songs and Photographs (Shirley Bassey; Tommy Roe; Joe Brown; Connie Francis; The Beatles (Paul McCartney; Ringo Starr; George Harrison; John Lennon); Billy Fury; Kay Starr; Duane Eddy; Matt Monro)

published by Shapiro, Bernstein & Co Ltd, after Unknown photographers
halftone reproduction, published 1963
NPG D48618

Sheet music cover for 'No Regrets' by Shirley Bassey

published by Shapiro, Bernstein & Co Ltd, after Unknown photographer
halftone reproduction, published 1965
NPG D48338

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Related People

Sharon Bassey (daughter)
Eliza-Jane Metcalfe (née Start) (mother)

Groups

Place

Cardiff

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Shirley Bassey