Dame Shirley Veronica Bassey (born January 8, 1937) is a Welsh singer, known for her career longevity, powerful voice and recording the theme songs to three James Bond films – the only artist to officially perform more than one. In the 1950s, Bassey underwent a rapid transformation from a factory worker in Cardiff to an international star and the first Welsh artist to have a No. 1 hit in the UK.
Bassey left school at age 14 to work in a packing factory, singing in local pubs and clubs in the evenings. She signed her first professional contract in 1953 (aged 16) to tour with a variety show called Memories of Jolson.
Her early career was briefly interrupted when she became pregnant with her first daughter, Sharon. She returned to Cardiff to wait on tables before returning to the stage in 1955. In 1955, the impresario Jack Hylton spotted her at the Astor Club and cast her in the West End revue Such Is Life. This led to her being noticed by record producer Johnny Franz.
Her debut single “Burn My Candle” was released in 1956. It became a “succès de scandale” because the BBC banned it for its suggestive lyrics, which only increased its notoriety and her popularity. In 1957, she achieved her first UK Top 10 hit with “The Banana Boat Song,” which reached No. 8. During this time, she began cultivating her signature “torch singer” persona, known for her powerful contralto voice, dramatic stage presence, and “cleavage-baring” gowns that would become her trademark look.
In January 1959, Bassey’s recording of “As I Love You” reached No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart. It was the first time a Welsh artist had ever topped the charts. While “As I Love You” was at the top, her other hit “Kiss Me, Honey Honey, Kiss Me” was also climbing, resulting in her having two songs in the Top 3 simultaneously. In April 1959, she signed with EMI’s Columbia label and released her debut studio album, The Fabulous Shirley Bassey, which reached No. 12 on the UK Albums Chart.
By the end of the decade, Bassey’s fame extended beyond the UK; she began touring the United States and became a popular act in Las Vegas. Her 1950s success laid the foundation for her later iconic status as the voice of James Bond themes.
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