Dame Shirley Bassey Celebrates Her 80'th Birthday.

Only a few years ago my interest in Shirley Bassey grew more than it ever had before. Sure enough, I had several albums of her and I enjoyed listening to the songs but it never came to mind to learn more about this woman. It’s better to turn around halfway than to get lost completely as the old adagio goes and I do not regret that I started reading and viewing more about Bassey. I simply cannot help it. When I like what people do I want to know about their drives. How did they start? What did they do to become who they are?

It would take thousands of pages to tell her story so please allow me to only mention a few moments out of her life.

Shirley Bassey

Shirley was born on January 8, 1937, in Tiger Bay, Cardiff, Wales. An important port where lots of foreigners settled down. It was a melting pot of several races. Shirley's father was Nigerian and her mother was a Welsh woman. Having an African father meant that Shirley was looked down upon. It was a harsh life for sure. On the other hand, different types of music from all over the world could be heard in Tiger Bay because the seamen brought records along with them. This proved to be a big influence on the young Shirley. As a young girl, she already loved singing but she was shy. What she did then was sitting under the table and behind the table cloth. She wanted to be heard but not seen while singing. When she grew older she started singing in clubs to make some money.

One the evening she sang in a club where the people wanted to be entertained but did not mind about the singers. They were screaming and fighting all night and had no intention to watch a show. Shirley then said "Now you all listen! I came here to entertain you but if you don't want to listen I'll go home!" Much to her surprise, the place became quiet and she thought it was empty. Shirley then thought "Oh my God what have I done?"  When she looked into the darkness she could see all the people were still there. She finished her show and got herself a standing ovation. The news spread rapidly and she for sure had passed the test.  

   

She then was booked for two shows. However, being pregnant at the age of 16 she returned home and after she gave birth to her daughter she went back working as a waitress in a restaurant. Her daughter was referred to as Shirley's youngest sister and she never revealed the name of the father. When a dancer, Ben Johnson needed a singer badly to fill in the gaps in the show he had set his eyes on Shirley and sure enough, she was not really keen on doing it. The dancer convinced her to take the role and she finally did. The great man behind this show was London based agent Michael Sullivan. After having seen the opening night he took Shirley apart and he told her he wanted to make her a star. As an old friend put it later: She couldn't have done it without him but he definitely couldn't have done it without her. He got Shirley to Las Vegas where Sammy Davis Davis jr. became a fan of hers instantly. Being a youngster still, she had made it and was well on her way to fame.

That path was not all smooth during her career. The night before her flight to Australia she was kept as a hostage by her jealous boyfriend who threatened to kill her. After several hours he let her go and Shirley was able to travel as planned. But of course, the experience had an impact on her.

Bassey had a string of hit records but became really famous when she sang the title track for the Bond movie Goldfinger. In those days recording sessions were far different. Shirley had to record the song while the credit roll at the end of the movie played. The song ended with the line "He loves gold". But she had to hang on to the note in 'gold' until the roll stopped. She became short of breath, looking at the conductor who pushed her to go on. After the song and the gooooooooooooooooold were finally done she nearly collapsed. A fact she can still laugh about today but must have been a terrible experience at the moment of course. She later sang title tracks for two more Bond movies: "Diamonds are forever" and "Moonraker".

Bassey always has a great sense of humor and she shows it wherever she can.  Unfortunately, she went through a very tragic period when her daughter was found dead in a river in England in 1985. After several investigations, the police still insist it was suicide but Shirley refuses to believe it. Soon after the loss of her daughter Shirley went on stage in Australia and was going to sing Goldfinger. The music played, Shirley opened her mouth but no sound came out. She went backstage and then back on stage but the same thing happened. 

At first, she thought there was something wrong with her vocal cords but a doctor could not see anything unusual. The audience was sent home and everybody left but not after a standing ovation. Shirley was then sent to a vocal trainer. This woman, an ex opera singer, asked her if Shirley did not find it strange to get singing lessons. Shirley replied, "No, not at all!" The two women became close friends. The teacher once said in an interview "Shirley doesn't need a microphone to fill the Royal Albert Hall. It is only because the orchestra makes such a noise that she needs a mic". Once the famous opera singer Jessey Norman went backstage to see Shirley and asked her "How do you do it?" "Do what?" "Be on stage for so long singing with that loud voice. I have had schooling but I could not do it that long as you do and easily as well".

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In a television special for the BBC Shirley once had Neil Diamond as her guest. The day after rumors spread that she had fallen in love with him. Shirley commented, "All I could look at and fall in love with was his diamond necklace!". 

Diamonds are forever

In 2000 Shirley Bassey became Dame Bassey. A title she well deserved. She had come a long way from "The tigress from Tiger Bay". 

I am glad I have seen Shirley Bassey appear on stage in Amsterdam a long time ago. And among all the songs she made and that I like I can honestly say that "I am what I am" is my absolute favorite. 

Shirley still makes records and also gives concerts. Yes, she is a strong and motivated woman.

Dame Shirley Bassey, I am pretty sure that millions of fans all over the world wish you a very happy birthday.

Love the ones you're with and be loved in return