Shirley Bassey

Shirley Bassey

Born: January 8, 1937
in Butetown, Cardiff, Glamorgan, Wales, UK
Shirley Bassey is a Welsh singer known for both her powerful operatic voice and for recording the theme songs to the James Bond films 'Goldfinger' (1964); 'Diamonds Are Forever' (1971) and 'Moonraker' (1979).

Born on Bute Street in Butetown (also known as 'Tiger Bay') in the docklands area of Cardiff, she was was the sixth and youngest child of Henry Bassey, from Nigeria, and Eliza Jane Start, from the north-east of England, but grew up in the adjacent community of Splott.

After leaving Splott Secondary Modern School at the age of 14, Bassey found work at the local Curran Steels factory, while singing in public houses and clubs in the evenings and on weekends. In 1953, she signed her first professional contract and went on to work for the impresario Jack Hylton. She recorded her first single in 1956.

Movies for Shirley Bassey...

The Sound of 007: Live from the Royal Albert Hall
Title: The Sound of 007: Live from the Royal Albert Hall
Character: self
Released: October 5, 2022
Type: Movie
Celebrates 60 years of the Bond film franchise. The concert is curated by the legendary Bond composer David Arnold and will feature special guest artists all putting their own interpretation on classic theme songs, backed by the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra. The date marks the anniversary of the premiere of the first 007 film, Dr. No.
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The Sound of 007
Title: The Sound of 007
Character: Self (archive footage)
Released: October 4, 2022
Type: Movie
Pull back the curtain on the remarkable history of six decades of James Bond music, from Sean Connery’s Dr No through to Daniel Craig’s final outing in No Time to Die.
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The Art of Dissent
Title: The Art of Dissent
Character: Self - Subject (archive footage)
Released: October 5, 2021
Type: Movie
"The Art of Dissent" celebrates the resilience and power of artistic engagement in Czechoslovakia before and after the 1968 Soviet-led invasion. The documentary's main protagonists - Václav Havel, banned singer Marta Kubisová, and the underground rock group the Plastic People of the Universe (PPU) - became the most recognizable dissidents during the 1970-80s. Havel bridged the disparate clusters of individuals and fused the literary, musical, political, and philosophical nonviolent elements into a hybrid network that eventually toppled the totalitarian regime in 1989.
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St David's Day at the BBC
Title: St David's Day at the BBC
Character: Self
Released: February 26, 2021
Type: Movie
To celebrate St David’s Day, this trip through the BBC’s music archives features a selection of tracks from some of the most important and innovative Welsh artists of the past few decades. The programme includes performances by Manic Street Preachers, Catatonia, Super Furry Animals, Marina and the Diamonds, Stereophonics, Feeder, Shakin’ Stevens, Bonnie Tyler, Dame Shirley Bassey and Sir Tom Jones.
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David Walliams Celebrates Dame Shirley Bassey
Title: David Walliams Celebrates Dame Shirley Bassey
Character: Dame Shirley Bassey
Released: December 24, 2016
Type: Movie
Ahead of her 80th birthday in Janurary 2017, comic actor David Walliams hosts this special night of entertainment paying tribute to Welsh diva Dame Shirley Bassey. Featuring songs, interviews and comedy sketches.
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More Dangerous Songs: And the Banned Played On
Title: More Dangerous Songs: And the Banned Played On
Character: Performer
Released: July 11, 2014
Type: Movie
More Dangerous Songs: And the Banned Played On features previously banned songs by the BBC including "Lola" by the Kinks, "Jackie" by Scott Walker and "(We Don't Need this) Fascist Groove Thang" by Heaven 17.
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Everything or Nothing
Title: Everything or Nothing
Character: Self (archive footage)
Released: October 5, 2012
Type: Movie
The story of three men with a shared dream: James Bond franchise producers Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman, and Bond creator and author Ian Fleming. It’s the thrilling and inspiring narrative behind the longest running film franchise in cinema history, which began in 1962.
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…Sings Musicals
Title: …Sings Musicals
Character: Self (archive footage)
Released: January 15, 2012
Type: Movie
BBC archive performances from musicals, including Ella Fitzgerald singing Mack the Knife, Captain Sensible performing a classic from South Pacific and Jay Z taking on Annie.
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Eric & Ernie: Behind the Scenes
Title: Eric & Ernie: Behind the Scenes
Character: Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Released: January 1, 2011
Type: Movie
A history of the British television comedy double act Morecambe & Wise to coincide with the BBC drama about their early lives.
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…Sings Neil Diamond
Title: …Sings Neil Diamond
Character: Self (archive footage)
Released: November 14, 2010
Type: Movie
A compilation from the BBC archive of performances featuring songs written by, or associated with, Neil Diamond. Featuring Lulu, UB40, Vince Hill, Robert Wyatt, Gladys Knight, Urge Overkill, Lena Zavaroni, The Hollies and a duet by Neil Diamond and Shirley Bassey.
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Children in Need Rocks the Royal Albert Hall
Title: Children in Need Rocks the Royal Albert Hall
Character: Self
Released: November 19, 2009
Type: Movie
Children in Need Rocks the Royal Albert Hall is a charity music concert held at the Royal Albert Hall in London, England on 12 November 2009. The concert was organised by Take That singer Gary Barlow as one of a series of events to raise money for Children in Need 2009. The huge success of the concert inspired Barlow to organise Children in Need Rocks Manchester at the Manchester Arena, Manchester in 2011.
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Dame Shirley Bassey: BBC Electric Proms
Title: Dame Shirley Bassey: BBC Electric Proms
Character: self
Released: October 24, 2009
Type: Movie
Dame Shirley Bassey graced the Roundhouse stage with a unique performance celebrating 50 years at the top of show business.
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Title: The Graham Norton Show
Character: Self
Released: February 22, 2007
Type: TV
Each week celebrity guests join Irish comedian Graham Norton to discuss what's being going on around the world that week. The guests poke fun and share their opinions on the main news stories. Graham is often joined by a band or artist to play the show out.
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Another Audience with Shirley Bassey
Title: Another Audience with Shirley Bassey
Released: March 10, 2006
Type: Movie
The legendary Welsh songstress delights a select crowd for the second time in this television special.
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Party at the Palace: The Queen's Concerts, Buckingham Palace
Title: Party at the Palace: The Queen's Concerts, Buckingham Palace
Character: Self
Released: June 3, 2002
Type: Movie
Well known performers accompanied by 12,000 selected members of the public on the lawn of Buckingham Palace to celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee.
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Shirley Bassey: Divas Are Forever
Title: Shirley Bassey: Divas Are Forever
Character: Herself
Released: November 21, 2000
Type: Movie
A full concert film featuring Shirley Bassey on stage in Antwerp, Belgium during the 'Diamond Awards Festival', including some of her greatest hits, interspersed with behind-the-scenes footage and interviews.
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The Bond Sound: The Music of 007
Title: The Bond Sound: The Music of 007
Character: Self
Released: January 1, 2000
Type: Movie
Documentary discussing the many songs featured in the James Bond films
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La Passione
Title: La Passione
Character: Herself
Released: November 14, 1996
Type: Movie
For one young boy, a passion can be more than just a dream.
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The World of James Bond
Title: The World of James Bond
Released: October 29, 1995
Type: Movie
Elizabeth Hurley hosts a one hour documentary on the history of the James Bond film series to tie in with the seventeenth Bond film, GoldenEye.
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An Audience with Shirley Bassey
Title: An Audience with Shirley Bassey
Character: Self
Released: October 21, 1995
Type: Movie
Showbiz legend Dame Shirley Bassey delights a celebrity audience by singing songs and answering light-hearted questions. Enjoy renditions including Born to Sing and George Harrison's Something from the sequin-gowned Welsh songstress.
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Shirley Bassey - You Ain't Heard Nothing Yet
Title: Shirley Bassey - You Ain't Heard Nothing Yet
Character: Shirley Bassey
Released: February 26, 1985
Type: Movie
In 1985 Dame Shirley Bassey gave a performance to help raise money for the 1986 Commonwealth games that were held in Edinburgh in Scotland. Dame Shirley sang four songs: Nobody does it like me, Arthur's theme, You ain't heard nothing yet and This is my life.
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Title: Bei Bio
Character: Self
Released: March 10, 1983
Type: TV
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Title: Summertime Special
Released: July 25, 1981
Type: TV
A BBC light entertainment holiday series, following on from the success of their Seaside Special shows, featuring comedy, music and variety guest stars.
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A Special Lady
Title: A Special Lady
Character: Herself
Released: July 1, 1980
Type: Movie
Recorded and broadcast by British TV (Thames Television) in 1980 with special guests Robert Goulet and Richard Clayderman
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Title: An Audience with...
Character: Self
Released: January 8, 1978
Type: TV
An Audience with... is a British entertainment television show produced by London Weekend Television, in which a host, usually a singer or comedian, performs for an invited audience of celebrity guests, interspersed with questions from the audience, in a light hearted revue/tribute style.
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Title: Auf los geht's los
Character: Self
Released: January 22, 1977
Type: TV
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Title: Shirley Bassey
Released: October 30, 1976
Type: TV
A British variety show that premiered on BBC in 1976. The show was hosted by Welsh singer Shirley Bassey and produced by Stewart Morris. The musical guests included The Three Degrees, Charles Aznavour, Neil Diamond and Dusty Springfield.
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Title: The Muppet Show
Character: Self - Special Guest Star
Released: September 5, 1976
Type: TV
Go behind the curtains as Kermit the Frog and his muppet friends struggle to put on a weekly variety show.
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Title: Les Rendez-vous du dimanche
Character: Self
Released: January 12, 1975
Type: TV
A talk show presented by Michel Drucker
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Title: A Kettle of Colour
Character: Self - Musician
Released: January 29, 1972
Type: TV
The show was meant to compete with those on West German television. To this end it was fairly successful even attracting a following in parts of West Germany which could receive Eastern TV. Its production values were high. Apart from song and dance numbers and appearances from East German celebrities, almost every broadcast featured well-known stars from the west, often after their popularity had peaked in their home countries.
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Title: Le Grand Échiquier
Character: Self - Main Guest
Released: January 12, 1972
Type: TV
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Title: Disco
Character: Self
Released: February 13, 1971
Type: TV
Disco was a pop music program that aired in Germany on the ZDF network from 1971 to 1982. It generally aired on the first Saturday of each month at 7:30PM, each show running 45 minutes. 133 shows were produced. The show was hosted by German actor and comedian Ilja Richter. Its lesser known predecessor on ZDF, 4-3-2-1 Hot & Sweet was aired between 1966 and 1970, presenters included Ilja Richter and Suzanne Doucet. Disco generally served a younger pop-oriented audience compared to ZDF's Hitparade, and until 1972, its main competitor was Beat-Club, followed by Musikladen, both on ARD. Repeats of Disco have been aired since 1984 on ZDF Musikkanal, after its closedown in 1989 on 3sat. Since 2004, the digital ZDF Theaterkanal aired repeats of the entire series. In 2007, ZDF Dokukanal began to air reruns, starting with episodes from 1975 and also multiple repeats of the series have been shown on hit24 in 2008. The show focussed on chart hits current at the time of airing, giving about equal airtime to international pop music and German Schlager. Despite its name, it did not particularly focus on disco music although it featured many disco hits as long as they were chart relevant..
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Title: Wünsch dir was
Character: Self
Released: December 20, 1969
Type: TV
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Title: Night-Club
Character: self
Released: September 13, 1968
Type: TV
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Title: Europarty
Character: Self
Released: June 4, 1967
Type: TV
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Title: The Danny Kaye Show
Character: Self
Released: September 25, 1963
Type: TV
The Danny Kaye Show is an American variety show hosted by Danny Kaye that aired on CBS from 1963 to 1967 on Wednesday nights. Directed by Robert Scheerer, the show premiered in black-and-white, but later switched to color broadcasts. At the time, Kaye was at the height of his popularity, having starred in a string of successful films in the 1940s and '50's, made successful personal appearances at such venues as the London Palladium, and appeared many times on television. His most recent films had been considered disappointing, but the television specials he starred in were triumphant, leading to this series. Prior to his television and film career, Kaye had made a name for himself with his own radio show, and numerous other guest appearances on other shows.
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Title: Viña del Mar International Song Festival
Character: Self - Musical Guest
Released: February 14, 1963
Type: TV
A yearly musical contest organized by the municipality of Viña del Mar, Chile which takes place during the last week of February at the Quinta Vergara Amphitheater since February 21, 1960.
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Title: The Mike Douglas Show
Character: Self - Co-Host
Released: December 11, 1961
Type: TV
The Mike Douglas Show is an American daytime television talk show hosted by Mike Douglas that originally aired only in the Cleveland area during much of its first two years on the air. It then went into syndication in 1963 and remained on television until 1982. It was distributed by Westinghouse Broadcasting and for much of its run, originated from studios of two of the company's TV stations in Cleveland and Philadelphia.
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Title: The Mike Douglas Show
Character: Self - Co-Hostess
Released: December 11, 1961
Type: TV
The Mike Douglas Show is an American daytime television talk show hosted by Mike Douglas that originally aired only in the Cleveland area during much of its first two years on the air. It then went into syndication in 1963 and remained on television until 1982. It was distributed by Westinghouse Broadcasting and for much of its run, originated from studios of two of the company's TV stations in Cleveland and Philadelphia.
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The Bing Crosby Show
Title: The Bing Crosby Show
Character: Self
Released: December 11, 1961
Type: Movie
Bing Crosby performs with special guests Bob Hope, Marion Ryan, Dave King, Terry-Thomas, and Shirley Bassey.
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Title: The Morecambe & Wise Show
Character: Self
Released: October 12, 1961
Type: TV
The Morecambe & Wise Show is the third TV series by English comedy double-act Morecambe and Wise. It began airing in 1968 on BBC2, specifically because it was then the only channel broadcasting in colour, following the duo's move to the BBC from ATV, where they had made Two of a Kind since 1961. The series was popular enough to be moved to BBC1, with its Christmas specials garnering prime-time audiences in excess of 20 million, some of the largest in British television history. After their 1977 Christmas special, retaining its title, the show moved over to ITV.
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Title: The Ed Sullivan Show
Character: Self - Singer / Sketch Actor
Released: June 20, 1948
Type: TV
The Ed Sullivan Show is an American TV variety show that originally ran on CBS from Sunday June 20, 1948 to Sunday June 6, 1971, and was hosted by New York entertainment columnist Ed Sullivan. It was replaced in September 1971 by the CBS Sunday Night Movie, which ran only one season and was eventually replaced by other shows. In 2002, The Ed Sullivan Show was ranked #15 on TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time.
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Title: The Ed Sullivan Show
Character: Self
Released: June 20, 1948
Type: TV
The Ed Sullivan Show is an American TV variety show that originally ran on CBS from Sunday June 20, 1948 to Sunday June 6, 1971, and was hosted by New York entertainment columnist Ed Sullivan. It was replaced in September 1971 by the CBS Sunday Night Movie, which ran only one season and was eventually replaced by other shows. In 2002, The Ed Sullivan Show was ranked #15 on TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time.