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Dame Shirley Veronica Bassey

(1937-), Singer

Sitter in 15 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 (1959). 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, 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

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Shirley Bassey, by Angus McBean - NPG P885

Shirley Bassey

by Angus McBean
bromide print, 1959
NPG P885

Shirley Bassey; Sharon Bassey, by Bob Collins - NPG x128714

Shirley Bassey; Sharon Bassey

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

Shirley Bassey; Sharon Bassey, by Bob Collins - NPG x128715

Shirley Bassey; Sharon Bassey

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

Shirley Bassey; Sharon Bassey, by Bob Collins - NPG x128716

Shirley Bassey; Sharon Bassey

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

Shirley Bassey, by Bob Collins - NPG x35146

Shirley Bassey

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

Shirley Bassey, by Derek Allen - NPG x194226

Shirley Bassey

by Derek Allen
vintage print, 1958
NPG x194226

Shirley Bassey, by Derek Allen - NPG x45658

Shirley Bassey

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

Shirley Bassey, by Harry Hammond - NPG x15516

Shirley Bassey

by Harry Hammond
bromide print, 1960
NPG x15516

Shirley Bassey, by Koo Stark - NPG x88686

Shirley Bassey

by Koo Stark
toned bromide fibre print, 1992
NPG x88686

Shirley Bassey, by Mike Owen - NPG x128532

Shirley Bassey

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

Shirley Bassey, by Venetia Dearden - NPG x134367

Shirley Bassey

by Venetia Dearden
giclée print, 2007
NPG x134367

Shirley Bassey, by Mary McCartney - NPG x133093

Shirley Bassey

by Mary McCartney
bromide print, August 2009
NPG x133093

Web image not currently available

Shirley Bassey

by Unknown photographer
bromide print
NPG x640

Web image not currently available

Dame Shirley Veronica Bassey

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

Web image not currently available

Dame Shirley Veronica Bassey

published by Cyril Shane Music Ltd, after Unknown photographer
halftone reproduction, published 1974
NPG D48339

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