BASSEY, SHIRLEY

Contributed by: The James Bond Movie Encyclopedia by Steven Jay Rubin

(January 8, 1937–     ): International recording artist and diva of rhythm and blues who recorded the title songs for three James Bond films: Goldfinger (her film debut), Diamonds Are Forever, and Moonraker.

Born in Tiger Bay, Cardiff, Wales, Bassey was discovered in 1955 at the Astor Club by music impresario Jack Hylton, who signed her to appear in Such Is Life, a show built around comedian Al Read. Bassey was making records by 1956 and had a run of respectable hits by the time she was twenty-three. Her music has also appeared in such films as The Liquidator (1965), Murphy’s Law (2001), The Life and Death of Peter Sellers (2004), Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore (2010), and Nocturama (2016).

In 2000, for her services to entertainment, Bassey was awarded Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

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