Shirley Bassey
(1937-), SingerDame 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.
Watch a film clip on the sitter from the BBC Archive in the Media section below
by David Sim, for Camera Press
bromide press print, circa 1950s
NPG x194374
Shirley Bassey; Eliza-Jane Metcalfe (née Start)
by John Pratt
gelatin silver print, 1955
NPG x198361
by Russell Sedgwick, for Camera Press
bromide press print, circa 1956
NPG x194373
by Bob Collins
selenium-toned bromide print from original negative, 1957
NPG x128714
by Bob Collins
selenium-toned bromide print from original negative, 1957
NPG x128715
by Bob Collins
selenium-toned bromide print from original negative, 1957
NPG x128716
by Unknown photographer
bromide press print, 11 November 1957
NPG x194402
for Central Press
gelatin silver print, 8 July 1957
NPG x194485
by Bob Collins
modern bromide print from original negative, 1957
NPG x35146
by Derek Allen
modern bromide print from original negative, 1958
NPG x45658
by Mike Owen
digital C-type colour print, 1997
NPG x128532
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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