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103-531: Dame Shirley Veronica Bassey ( / ˈ b æ s i / ; born 8 January 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 perform more than one, Bassey is one of the most popular vocalists in Britain. Born in Cardiff , Bassey began performing as a teenager in 1953. In 1959, she became the first Welsh person to gain

206-481: A 50th-anniversary re-recording of "Goldfinger" (recreating the original orchestration) and a duet of "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend" with Paloma Faith , produced and conducted by Stuart Barr. In December 2016, Bassey starred in a 60-minute BBC broadcast hosted by David Walliams . On 11 March 2018, Bassey performed "Almost Like Being In Love" in a tribute to Bruce Forsyth at the London Palladium. At

309-647: A Bond film since its use in Moonraker . This piece of music was also used by Al Primo , the news director at KYW-TV in Philadelphia for its long-time theme to Eyewitness News , and was adopted by other Group W stations in Baltimore , Pittsburgh , Boston and San Francisco as well as other non-Group W stations, including WLS-TV in Chicago . The theme was also sampled by Big Audio Dynamite for

412-590: A Merry Little Christmas " with Michael Ball and Alfie Boe. In 2020, with the release of her most recent album, I Owe It All To You , Bassey became the first female artist to chart an album in the top 40 of the UK Albums Chart in seven consecutive decades. On 4 October 2022, Bassey performed in The Sound of 007: Live from the Royal Albert Hall , which commemorated the 60th Anniversary of

515-532: A Song for You " (1966), spent one week on the chart. From 1966 to 1970, only two albums would chart, one of those a compilation. One of her best-known singles, " Big Spender " was released in 1967, charting just short of the UK top 20. Bassey began to live as a tax exile in 1968, during a period of very high income tax , and was unable to work in Britain for almost two years. In 1969, she appeared in NBC 's The Spring Thing,

618-591: A TV special for Thames Television called A Special Lady with guest Robert Goulet . Around this time she recorded a duet with the French film actor Alain Delon , "Thought I'd Ring You" (1983). Bassey was now recording far less often but an album of her most famous songs, I Am What I Am (1984), was recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) conducted by Carl Davis . This was followed by

721-615: A benefit at an open-air concert close to the Sphinx and the Great Pyramid . Bassey played the Friday night at Henley Festival in 1984. Bassey was sued in a breach of contract case in 1998 by her former personal assistant, who also accused Bassey of hitting her and making an ethnic slur. Bassey won the case. The episode was lampooned by Alexander Baron in his one-act play The Trial of Shirley Bassey . The following year, she performed

824-487: A chart run of 30 weeks. She made her American television début on 13 November 1960, when she performed on The Ed Sullivan Show . In 1961, the double A-side " Reach for the Stars "/" Climb Ev'ry Mountain " reached number-one. Bassey's version of " As Long as He Needs Me " reached No. 2. Her single " I'll Get By " peaked at No. 10. Bassey's rendition of "You'll Never Know" was one of the UK's top hits in 1961, reaching No. 6 on

927-584: A dance hit around the world, while "A View to a Kill" is the only Bond song to have reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 . Three Bond songs have won the Academy Award for Best Original Song : " Skyfall " by Adele , " Writing's on the Wall " by Sam Smith and " No Time to Die " by Billie Eilish , while Writing's on the Wall also became the first Bond theme to reach number one on

1030-588: A distribution deal with Philips), producing the single "If I Had a Needle and Thread" b/w "Tonight My Heart She Is Crying". On her return to the UK in April 1957, she starred in " Sunday Night at the London Palladium " for the first time on 28 April 1957. In mid-1958, Bassey recorded two singles that would become classics in the Bassey catalogue. "As I Love You" was released as the B-side of another ballad, "Hands Across

1133-621: A gala for AmfAR (The Foundation for Aids Research) in Los Angeles on 18 October 2018, Bassey sang "Goldfinger", "Diamonds Are Forever", "Almost Like Being In Love" and "I Am What I Am". On 9 August 2019, Bassey performed at UNICEF's Summer Gala in Porto Cervo, Sardinia, singing "Goldfinger", "Diamonds Are Forever" and "S'Wonderful". Bassey appeared on the Ball & Boe TV Christmas Special on Friday 20 December 2019, singing " Have Yourself

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1236-571: A good laugh spending it while I'm here!" However, this equates to £4.6 million in 2018, when adjusted for inflation. He is buried in the churchyard of St Catherine at Gosfield , Essex . His wife Beverley is buried beside him. Specialist dance band radio stations, such as Radio Dismuke and Swing Street Radio, continue to play his records. Hylton also features regularly on the Manx Radio programme Sweet & Swing , presented by Howard Caine. His 1930 recording of " Happy Days Are Here Again "

1339-499: A musical television special hosted by Bobbie Gentry and Noel Harrison . Guests included were Goldie Hawn , Meredith MacRae , Irwin C. Watson, Rod McKuen , and Harpers Bizarre . Bassey's UK comeback came in 1970 leading to one of the most successful periods of her career. Starting the year with a BBC Television 'Special', The Young Generation Meet Shirley Bassey , recorded in Sweden and shown on BBC1 on 18 March. She returned to

1442-588: A number of cover albums in a variety of genres, including the 2007 album Mister Bond – A Jazzy Cocktail of Ice Cold Themes ( lounge ) and Shaken and Stirred: The David Arnold James Bond Project , the latter of which features David Arnold collaborating with several contemporary artists. The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra recorded several albums with Bond music and performs in premieres and special events of Bond films. Britain's Royal Philharmonic Orchestra released an album of several Bond songs performances called Best Of James Bond , some of which were used on

1545-417: A number of his former employees, many of whom had become successful in their own right, for that year's Royal Command Performance , billed as "The Band that Jack Built". Despite their success, Hylton resisted calls for his return to band-leading. There were rumours in 1954 that he would stand for Parliament from Bolton, where he was a prominent member of the local Labour Party branch. In November 1955, he

1648-729: A number-one single on the UK Singles Chart . In the following decades, Bassey amassed 27 Top 40 hits in the UK, including two number ones (As I Love You and AA: Climb Ev'ry Mountain/Reach For The Stars) plus a number one on the Dance Chart (History Repeating). She became well known for recording theme songs of the James Bond films Goldfinger (1964), Diamonds Are Forever (1971), and Moonraker (1979). Bassey has had numerous BBC television specials and hosted her own variety series, Shirley Bassey . In 2011, BBC aired

1751-511: A pay cut, not making records until 1935 when he rejoined HMV. He spent 1934 touring Europe again, and adopted "The Soldiers in the Park" (more commonly known as "Oh Listen to the Band") as his signature tune. In 1935, he appeared in his first feature film, the musical comedy She Shall Have Music , which starred June Clyde and Claude Dampier . That same year, Hylton finally was able to perform in

1854-665: A poem by Marc Almond . Bassey collaborated with Chris Rea in the film La Passione (1996), appearing in the film as herself and releasing the single " 'Disco' La Passione ". The remix of this single charted just outside the UK top 40. Bassey's " History Repeating " (1997), written for her by the Propellerheads , reached number one on the UK Dance Chart , and number 10 on the US Dance Chart . The liner notes of

1957-633: A recording deal. Bassey recorded her first single, "Burn My Candle", the song she had featured in Such is Life , and this was released in February 1956. The cabaret-style song was banned by the BBC because the lyrics were considered too suggestive. More singles followed, and in February 1957, Bassey had her first hit with " The Banana Boat Song ", which reached No. 8 in the UK Singles Chart. Following

2060-663: A relief pianist for various bands. In 1905 he joined a pierrot troupe in Rhyl and he went on to conduct the orchestra of a touring pantomime. In 1913 he moved to London where he initially worked as an organist at a cinema in Stoke Newington . A year later he was working as a pianist in the 400 Club and playing with the Stroud Haxton Band. During the First World War he moved to be a musical director of

2163-569: A single and video to support the London Tourist Board , " There's No Place Like London " (1986), which was co-written by Lynsey de Paul and Gerard Kenny . She recorded an album of James Bond themes, The Bond Collection in 1987, but was apparently unhappy with the results so she declined to release it. (Five years later it was released anyway, Bassey sued in court, and all unsold copies were withdrawn.) Bassey provided vocals for Swiss artists Yello on " The Rhythm Divine " (1987),

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2266-663: A song co-written by Scottish singer Billy Mackenzie . An album sung entirely in Spanish, La Mujer was released in 1989. Bassey had started working with a vocal coach, a former opera singer, and her album Keep the Music Playing (1991) displayed a grand, operatic pop style on several songs (perhaps also influenced by her album with the LSO seven years earlier). EMI released the five-CD box set Bassey – The EMI/UA Years 1959–1979 in 1994. The accompanying booklet opened with

2369-423: A stigma it would only shake off by the 1970s. Hylton refused to renew his ITV contract in 1959; the last shows made by the company were broadcast in 1960. In his final years Hylton was still producing stage shows, as well as taking a leading role in organising various Royal Command Performances, until his final stage production, Camelot , in 1965. In 1965 a televised tribute to Hylton, The Stars Shine for Jack ,

2472-697: A successful run at the Café de Paris, London , Bassey made her American stage début in Las Vegas at El Rancho Vegas in February 1957. Following on from Las Vegas, Bassey opened at Ciro's on Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood on 15 February 1957. She also recorded under the direction of American producer Mitch Miller in New York City for the Columbia Records label (which at the time had

2575-657: A time when the Great Depression hit hard during the 1930s. His good reputation allowed him to make contacts with famous jazz artists of the time, and he was credited for bringing Duke Ellington , Louis Armstrong and others to Britain and Europe in the 1930s. An ensemble consisting at times of more than 20 musicians, the Hylton orchestra quickly stood out from the rest. Unlike many other bandleaders who took up residences at nightclubs and ballrooms, Hylton often embarked on lengthy tours of England, which ultimately moulded

2678-705: Is an asset to the show." Later that year, Bassey gave birth to her daughter Sharon, while staying with her sister Ella in London. While performing in Jersey, Bassey met her first manager, Mike Sullivan. In 1955, Bassey toured various theatres until she was noticed by the impresario Jack Hylton at the Astor Club in September 1955. He invited her to feature in Al Read 's Such Is Life , which opened on 14 December 1955 at

2781-506: Is credited with the creation of " 007 " (dominated by brass and percussion ) and the popular orchestral theme from On Her Majesty's Secret Service . Next to Barry, David Arnold is the series' most regular composer. He composed the scores for five Bond films: Tomorrow Never Dies through Quantum of Solace . His orchestrations combined with electronic rhythm elements gave the Pierce Brosnan era its musical identity. Arnold

2884-453: Is the only singer to perform more than one Bond theme – she recorded the themes to Goldfinger , Diamonds Are Forever , and Moonraker . Bassey also recorded her own versions of "Mr. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" for Thunderball and it was rumoured that "No Good About Goodbye" was intended for Quantum of Solace , however David Arnold said 'No Good About Goodbye' was never intended as a Bond song. Paul McCartney 's performance of " Live and Let Die "

2987-598: The Daily Herald of 7 June 1930, between four and five million records sold in 1929 (out of 50 million sold overall) were made by Hylton, although three million has been suggested as likely a more accurate figure. By the time the Depression started biting in 1930, Hylton downsized his band and began performing in Europe less frequently; that same year, however, Maurice Chevalier recorded with Hylton, who also made

3090-653: The Morecambe and Wise Christmas Show , broadcast on Christmas Day in 1971. Bassey was the subject of This Is Your Life on two occasions: firstly, in November 1972 when she was surprised by Eamonn Andrews at Heathrow Airport , and then in January 1993, when Michael Aspel surprised her at the curtain call of a sell-out concert at the Royal Albert Hall . Bassey recorded a series of successful albums on

3193-562: The 2013 Academy Awards on 24 February 2013 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the James Bond movie franchise. It was her first appearance at an Oscars ceremony as a performer. She sang "Goldfinger" to a standing ovation. Bassey performed "I'm Still Here" and "The Lady Is A Tramp" on 13 November 2014 at the Royal Variety Performance in the presence of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Bassey released another album, Hello Like Before , on 17 November 2014. It included

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3296-464: The Academy Award for Best Original Song , as did Bill Conti 's " For Your Eyes Only ", which was performed by Sheena Easton . It was not until the 2013 Oscars that a Bond theme song finally won the Academy Award for Best Original Song , the theme song from Skyfall by Adele . Thomas Newman 's score also got the first nomination for Academy Award for Best Original Score in the series since Hamlisch's own for The Spy Who Loved Me , while winning

3399-467: The Adelphi Theatre in London's West End . In the show, which ran until 3 November 1956, she featured the song " Burn My Candle ", leading one reviewer to say that she had nearly stopped the show with the song "which brought outraged mutters, then roars of shamefaced applause." During the show's run, Philips record producer Johnny Franz spotted her on television, was impressed, and offered her

3502-519: The Ben E. King hit " I (Who Have Nothing) " reached No. 6 in 1963. In January 1963, Bassey performed at a gala commemorating the second anniversary of President John F. Kennedy 's inauguration in Washington, D.C. In March 1963, she appeared on the cover of Ebony magazine. Bassey made her Carnegie Hall debut on 15 February 1964. The complete concert recording was not released until it was included in

3605-481: The British dance band era, being referred as the "British King of Jazz" and "The Ambassador of British Dance Music" by the musical press, not only because of his popularity which extended throughout the world, but also for his use of unusually large ensembles for the time and his polished arrangements. He mostly retired from the music industry after 1940, becoming a successful theatrical businessman until his death. He

3708-529: The Kaiser Chiefs , John Barry and Don Black . Bassey headlined at the BBC Electric Proms on 23 October 2009, in her only full live set of 2009. She performed several of the new songs from The Performance in November 2009 on various TV shows: The Graham Norton Show , The Paul O'Grady Show and as the guest singer on Strictly Come Dancing . Bassey performed at a gala celebrating

3811-627: The UK Albums Chart at number six. The single of the title song reached number 3 on the US Dance Chart . The same year, Bassey performed "Big Spender" with Elton John at his annual White Tie and Tiara Ball to raise money for The Elton John AIDS Foundation . In 2007, Bassey performed in Fashion Rocks in aid of The Prince's Trust at the Royal Albert Hall . Bassey was rushed to hospital in Monaco on 23 May 2008 to have an emergency operation on her stomach after complaining of abdominal pains. She

3914-514: The UK Singles Chart . The " James Bond Theme " is the main signature theme of the James Bond films and has featured in every Eon Productions Bond film since Dr. No , released in 1962. The piece has been used as an accompanying fanfare to the gun barrel sequence in every Eon Bond film before Casino Royale . The briefest of "James Bond themes", this composition started off the "Opening Titles" music of From Russia with Love . It

4017-671: The sleeve notes for Bassey's 25th Anniversary Album (1978), Peter Clayton noted that: "Acceptance in America was considerably helped by the enormous popularity of ("Goldfinger")...But she had actually established herself there as early as 1961, in cabaret in New York. She was also a success in Las Vegas...'I suppose I should feel hurt that I've never been really big in America on record since "Goldfinger"...But, concertwise, I always sell out.'..." Her live 1965 album Shirley Bassey at

4120-470: The 1920s marked Hylton's highest point of prominence. After recovering from a near-fatal car accident – which took place on 20 January 1927, on the way to the HMV studios at Hayes, Middlesex – he made the first in a string of "continental tours" that lasted until 1930. The orchestra's line-up also included some of the most skilled musicians of the time. "Regular" players included saxophonists Billy Ternent (who

4223-534: The 1986 song " Sightsee M.C! " Like John Barry, David Arnold has left his own mark in the music of James Bond. In this case, he has established what can be called the "suspense motif", which is a descending, often repetitive four-note motif that can be heard in all of the Bond films he has scored. This motif can be heard in: The largest contributions to the Bond films, save for the " James Bond Theme ", are works from John Barry . Barry composed eleven Bond soundtracks and

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4326-625: The 80th birthday of Mikhail Gorbachev on 30 March 2011. She also performed at the Classical Brit Awards in 2011, singing "Goldfinger" in tribute to John Barry . The BBC broadcast a 70-minute drama entitled Shirley on 29 September 2011, depicting Bassey's early life and career. Ruth Negga played the title role. Bassey was one of the line-up of artists on 4 June 2012 who performed at the Queen's 60th Jubilee Party at Buckingham Palace , singing "Diamonds Are Forever". She performed at

4429-582: The BBC's Band Waggon , as well as its 1940 film adaptation. Hylton and his band also made a number of appearances on BBC television in the 1930s, on one of which Ernie Wise made his television debut. The Jack Hylton orchestra disbanded in 1940 as many of its members were called up for service, although Jack continued to conduct orchestras for radio in the years to come, leading the Glenn Miller Orchestra when it visited England in 1943. During

4532-507: The BBC, followed by a second series of six episodes in 1979. The final show of the first series was nominated for the Golden Rose of Montreux in 1977. The series featured guests including Neil Diamond , Michel Legrand , The Three Degrees and Dusty Springfield and featured Bassey in various international locations as well as in the television studio. In 1978, Bassey pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly "after shouting abuse in

4635-470: The Bond film From Russia with Love . "The John Barry Seven" had pop chart hit with a cover version of Elmer Bernstein 's theme to The Magnificent Seven that included seven beats repeated throughout the theme. Barry used seven beats throughout the "007 Theme". It became a secondary theme for the Bond films, being used throughout the series, primarily during action scenes. Its most notable appearances are: The theme has not been used in its entirety in

4738-679: The Dame Shirley Bassey Scholarship at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and the Noah's Ark Children's Hospital Appeal. Bassey topped the bill at the 2005 Royal Variety Performance , introducing her new song " The Living Tree ". Two popular Audiences with Shirley Bassey have aired on British television: one in 1995, which attracted more than 10 million viewers in the UK, and a second, broadcast in 2006. Bassey returned to perform in five arenas around

4841-587: The EMI compilation The EMU/UA Years 1959–1979 in 1994. In 1965, Bassey enjoyed her only Top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 with the title song of the James Bond film, Goldfinger . The single " Goldfinger " was released in the US in January 1965, peaking at No 8. The original soundtrack for Goldfinger hit number-one in the US that year. The "Goldfinger" theme song had a lasting impact on her career. In

4944-596: The Grammy for Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media. Adele's song also won the Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media . Sam Smith's " Writing's on the Wall " from Spectre and Billie Eilish 's " No Time to Die " from the film of the same name would also win Oscars for Best Original Song. Duran Duran and John Barry 's " A View To A Kill " topped the singles charts in the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 ,

5047-551: The Hume–Bassey divorce. For her part, Bassey was named as co-respondent in 1965 when Finch's wife, South African actress Yolande Turner , divorced him. From 1968 until they divorced in 1979, Bassey was married to Sergio Novak, the assistant manager of the Excelsior Hotel in Venice. During this time, Novak was Bassey's manager, and they adopted Mark, her grand-nephew. The fathers of Bassey's two daughters, Sharon Bassey (a.k.a. Sharon Novak, born 1954) and Samantha Bassey (a.k.a. Samantha Novak, born 1963), are unknown. Bassey had Sharon at

5150-467: The James Bond films. She sang the two opening songs, "Diamonds Are Forever" and "Goldfinger". In 2023, Dame Shirley was awarded The Order of Saint Charles by Prince Albert II of Monaco. In May, 2024, Bassey announced the charity auction of her 80 pieces jewellery and watches, Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels including an Elton John diamond ring at the October 10 Sotheby ’s Fine Jewels sale, Nikita Binani, Head of Jewellery said. Bassey's first marriage

5253-418: The Music (1962, re-issued as What Now My Love ). Two compilations, The Shirley Bassey Singles Album (1975) and 25th Anniversary Album (1978), both made the top three of the UK charts: The Shirley Bassey Singles Album , her highest-charting album, reached number two and earned a gold disc , and the 25th Anniversary Album eventually went platinum. Between 1970 and 1979, Bassey had 18 hit albums in

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5356-440: The Pigalle , recorded during a sold-out run at the Pigalle in London, peaked at No. 15 on the UK album chart. Also in 1965, she sang the title song for the James Bond spoof The Liquidator . Bassey recorded a song for the next Bond film, Thunderball (1965). " Mr Kiss Kiss Bang Bang " was not used in the movie, although the film's score follows its melodic theme. Written by John Barry and Leslie Bricusse, "Mr Kiss Kiss Bang Bang"

5459-520: The Propellerheads' album Decksandrumsandrockandroll included the lines: "We would like to extend our maximum respect to Shirley Bassey for honouring us with her performance. We are still in shock...." Bassey celebrated her 60th birthday in 1997 with two open-air concerts, at Castle Howard and Althorp Park, and another TV special. The resulting live album The Birthday Concert received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance . On 7 October 1998 in Egypt, Bassey performed for

5562-421: The Sea"; it did not sell well at first but, after another appearance at the London Palladium on 30 November, sales began to pick up. In January 1959, "As I Love You" reached number-one and stayed there for four weeks; it was the first number-one single by a Welsh artist. While "As I Love You" climbed the charts, so did Bassey's recording of " Kiss Me, Honey Honey, Kiss Me " and both records would end up occupying

5665-441: The UK Albums Chart. Her album The Magic Is You (1979) featured a portrait by the photographer Francesco Scavullo . In 1973, her sold-out concerts at New York's Carnegie Hall were recorded and released as a two-LP set, Shirley Bassey: Live at Carnegie Hall ; this album reached No. 20 on the Billboard R&B album chart. In 1976, Bassey starred in the six-episode Shirley Bassey show, the first of her television programmes for

5768-558: The UK in 1936, although Pat O'Malley and Alec Templeton stayed in America, making a name for themselves. Upon returning to Britain, he was criticised for adopting the then-popular swing rhythm, so he kept playing in his well-established style, including a series of new "concert recordings". After a new tour of Europe in 1937, which included a month-long run of performances at Berlin's Scala Theatre in Nazi Germany, Hylton began appearing on radio more frequently, starring in Radio Luxembourg 's Rinso Radio Revue until 1939, when he appeared in

5871-508: The UK in June the same year, culminating at Wembley . She also performed a concert in front of 10,000 people at the Bryn Terfel Faenol Festival in North Wales broadcast by BBC Wales . Marks & Spencer signed her for their Christmas 2006 James Bond–style television advertising campaign. Bassey was seen in a glamorous ice palace singing a cover version of Pink 's song " Get the Party Started ", wearing an M&S gown. " The Living Tree ", written, produced, and originally recorded by

5974-503: The UK with a record-breaking run of performances at the Talk of the Town nightclub. Also that year, her album Something was released, and showcased a new Bassey style, a shift from traditional pop to more contemporary songs and arrangements (the eponymous single was more successful in the UK charts than the original recording by The Beatles ) – although Bassey would never completely abandon that which had been her forte: standards, show tunes , and torch songs . Her song " Something "

6077-433: The United Artists label, including: Something Else (1971); And I Love You So (1972); I Capricorn (1972); Never Never Never (1973); Good, Bad but Beautiful (1975); Love, Life and Feelings (1976); You Take My Heart Away (1977) and Yesterdays (1978). Additionally, two of Bassey's earlier LPs also entered the charts in the '70s: And We Were Lovers (1967, re-issued as Big Spender ), and Let's Face

6180-462: The United States; he had repeatedly attempted this for almost a decade, but had been opposed by the musicians' unions (a 1929 tour was cancelled at the last minute). Standard Oil signed Hylton for a radio show on CBS, not only paying him and his star players, but also paying all expenses for those band members unable to play in the US. Whilst in Chicago, Hylton made a number of records with his radio band for Victor . Union pressure led him to return to

6283-479: The age of 17 and her sister Ella raised her as her own daughter until the 1960s. Bassey's first husband suggested that Samantha, born during the couple's marriage, was the result of an affair between Bassey and Peter Finch. In 1985, Samantha, age 21, was found dead in the River Avon in Bristol . Bassey has always maintained that the death of her daughter was not a suicide. On 24 March 2010, Avon and Somerset Police confirmed they were undertaking fresh inquiries into

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6386-493: The band of the 20th Hussars , and later in the Army Entertainment Division (N.A.C.B.). After the First World War , Hylton formed a double act with Tommy Handley to little success, also collaborating in a number of short-lived stage shows. In 1919 he moved to Blackpool , where he composed and sold songs to tourists. He returned to London, playing with the "Queens" Dance Orchestra, wrote arrangements of popular songs and recorded them for His Master's Voice and Zonophone under

6489-422: The charts for 13 weeks. The opening credits of From Russia with Love were accompanied by an instrumental version of the main theme, arranged by John Barry and written by Lionel Bart . A single by The John Barry Orchestra reached No. 39 in the U.K. At the film's end, a vocal version by English singer Matt Monro is heard. This song spent 13 weeks in the U.K. charts, peaking at No. 20. Goldfinger

6592-456: The charts. She began to gain recognition in the American market and signed to United Artists Records in August 1961. The following month she began a five-week engagement at the Persian Room inside New York's Plaza Hotel Bassey's collaboration with Nelson Riddle and his orchestra, the album Let's Face the Music (1962), reached No. 12 in the UK album chart; and the single, " What Now My Love " made it to No. 5 in 1962. Her cover version of

6695-442: The closing credits, a song which was originally proposed by composer David Arnold to be the title sequence theme instead of the Sheryl Crow title song. The "Surrender" theme is heard throughout the score while the melody of Sheryl Crow's song is not used again during the film. This harks back to the Thunderball soundtrack, where "Mr. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" was originally proposed as the opening credits music, only to be replaced by

6798-479: The concept most Britons had of jazz. By the mid-1920s, he was usually referred as the "British King of Jazz", a notion Hylton initially dismissed. As late as 1926, he thought of jazz as "a bunch of noises" popular at the end of the First World War, "when everything was topsy-turvy". Hylton first appeared on radio through station 2LO in 1924, and on 24 June 1925, he cut HMV's first electric record, "Feelin' Kind O' Blue", at Hayes in Middlesex . The second half of

6901-420: The death and specifically claimed that the convicted killer Michael Moffat was involved in her death. However, in October 2010 it was reported that the investigation had come to an end, concluding that there was "no evidence of any criminal act involved" in Novak's death. The ordeal of losing her daughter caused Bassey to temporarily lose her voice. James Bond music Madonna 's " Die Another Day " became

7004-410: The director of a Bond film had worked with the composer of his choice on other films – the latter happened to Thomas Newman with Skyfall and Spectre . The " James Bond Theme " is the main theme for Dr. No , and has featured in all the Eon Productions Bond films in different versions. The theme has also featured on the gun barrel sequences at the beginning of the films. The original theme

7107-470: The eponymous title track as sung by Tom Jones . On Her Majesty's Secret Service featured an instrumental theme tune, something which remains unique amongst the post– From Russia with Love films, and included a vocal theme in the form of Louis Armstrong 's performance of " We Have All the Time in the World ", written by John Barry and Hal David . Arrangement of " Three Blind Mice " A number of Bond films include one (or more) additional songs in

7210-529: The first recording of "Body and Soul", and Pat O'Malley replaced Browne as vocalist. In 1930, they recorded " Amy, Wonderful Amy ", a song about Amy Johnson . Hylton also became a director and major shareholder of the new Decca record label, switching from HMV in late 1931. The following year, he was decorated by the French government, recorded with Paul Robeson , and made the first transatlantic entertainment broadcast with Paul Whiteman and his orchestra. In late 1933, Hylton left Decca after refusing to take

7313-502: The formation of a short-lived "Mrs. Jack Hylton Band" in the mid-1930s. During the 1930s he had a long affair with model Frederika Kogler ("Fifi"), with whom he had two daughters: Jackie (b. 1932) and Georgina (b. 1938). He also had a son, Jack (b. 1947) by a later affair with the singer and actress Pat Taylor and a daughter, Angela (b. 1965) by an affair with Rosalina Neri . He secondly married in Geneva in 1963, to Australian model and beauty queen Beverley Prowse (1932–2000). Hylton

7416-555: The group Never the Bride , was released as a single on 23 April 2007, marking Bassey's 50th anniversary in the UK Singles Chart, and the record for the longest span of top-40 hits in UK chart history. Bassey performed a 45-minute set at the 2007 Glastonbury Festival wearing a pink Julien Macdonald dress, and customised Wellington boots . A new album, Get the Party Started , was subsequently released on 25 June 2007 and entered

7519-521: The label "Directed by Jack Hylton" (being credited in lieu of a pay rise), his records carrying the new style of jazz-derived American dance music. After being dismissed by his own bandmates from the Queen's Hall in 1922, Hylton not only set up his own band, but also set up a number of other orchestras under the Jack Hylton Organisation. Even though he was not professionally trained for business, he brought his band to success even at

7622-450: The menus of "Ultimate Edition" DVD releases. Billy Strange released "Secret Agent File" in 1965. In 2004, The Cavaliers played a show titled 007 using Bond music such as "GoldenEye", "For Your Eyes Only", "Live and Let Die", "Hovercraft Chase", "Welcome to Cuba" and "Paris and Bond". Some of them are Italo disco -like rhythms and soundtrack albums promote hits that matches the film's theme. In 2000 'An Electronika Tribute to James Bond' album

7725-547: The official song for the rugby World Cup, " World in Union ", with Bryn Terfel at the opening ceremony at The Millennium Stadium , Cardiff, wearing a gown based on the Welsh flag . Their single made the top 40, and Bassey contributed two more songs to the official album Land of My Fathers , which reached number one on the UK compilations chart, and went silver. Bassey continued to perform at various high profile events. In 2001, she

7828-700: The only Bond theme to hit No. 1 in the United States. No James Bond theme had topped the charts in the UK until Sam Smith's "Writing's on the Wall" entered the charts at number one on 2 October 2015. Several of the later films have alternative theme songs, often during the closing credits . The Living Daylights featured The Pretenders performing "If There Was a Man," composed by John Barry with Chrissie Hynde . Licence to Kill has " If You Asked Me To " sung by Patti LaBelle . GoldenEye featured Éric Serra 's "The Experience of Love". Tomorrow Never Dies included k.d. lang 's "Surrender" during

7931-445: The registry of her marriage to Henry Bassey, giving rise to speculation that this marriage was bigamous in the absence of a prior divorce. Eliza and Henry's second child died in infancy, so Shirley was born into a household of three sisters, two half-sisters, and one brother. Teachers and students alike at Moorland Road School noticed Bassey's strong voice but gave the pre-teen little encouragement: "everyone told me to shut up. Even in

8034-472: The school choir the teacher kept telling me to back off till I was singing in the corridor!" A classmate recalled her singing the refrain " Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man " from Show Boat with such feeling that she made their teacher uncomfortable. She left Splott secondary modern school at age 14 to work at Curran Steels and, in the evenings and weekends, to sing in local pubs and clubs. In 1953, Bassey signed her first professional contract, touring with

8137-699: The soundtrack. Some of these pieces of music, such as " We Have All the Time in the World " by Louis Armstrong , have gone on to become as well known as the main themes, while other songs remain exclusively linked to the film in which they appear. 1 'Three Blind Mice' is a.k.a. the 'Kingston Calypso' Some songs have been dubbed for the foreign versions of the films. Alexander Borodin Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky A number of songs have been recorded for Bond films but not used. Bond music has inspired

8240-494: The street and pushing a policeman". In 1979, Bassey recorded the title theme song for the Bond film, Moonraker . Throughout most of the 1980s, Bassey focused on charitable work and performing occasional concert tours throughout Europe, Australia, and the United States. She had ended her contract with United Artists, whose former record division was now part of EMI, and began what she referred to as "semi-retirement". Bassey recorded an album entitled All by Myself (1982) and made

8343-437: The television film Shirley , based on Bassey's life and career. Since making her first appearance at the Royal Albert Hall in 1971, she has performed at the venue 45 times. Bassey received the first award for Best British Female Solo Artist at the 1st Brit Awards in 1977. She was appointed a Dame in 1999 for services to the performing arts. In 2003, she was ranked among the " 100 Great Black Britons ". Her song " Goldfinger "

8446-439: The top 3 at the same time. Having been with Decca Records for four years, Bassey then signed to EMI 's Columbia label on 20 April 1959. Her first album for Columbia, The Fabulous Shirley Bassey , was later released and reached. No. 12 on the UK Albums Chart . Between 1960 and 1961, Bassey had four Top 10 hits in the UK. Her 1960 recording of " As Long As He Needs Me " from Lionel Bart 's Oliver! peaked at No. 2,and had

8549-502: The variety show Memories of Jolson , a musical based on the life of Al Jolson . On 17 December 1953, Bassey signed a contract with Columbia Productions for two performances at the salary of £10. Her next professional engagement was in the touring show Hot from Harlem , in which she and other mixed-race Cardiff performers played Black Americans in 1954. A review of the show in March 1954 included: "Shirley Bassey, an attractive young singer,

8652-604: The war, he took the London Philharmonic Orchestra around Britain, giving promenade concerts . This helped to keep the orchestra going when its normal programme had ceased and it was on the edge of bankruptcy. At this point in his career he became an impresario, discovering new stars and managing radio, film and theatre productions, from ballets to circuses. His productions dominated the London theatres with such productions as The Merry Widow , Kiss Me, Kate , and Kismet . In 1950 he reunited with

8755-688: Was also a top 10 US hit on the Adult Contemporary chart. Other singles of this period included the hit " Never Never Never ", an English version of the Italian "Grande grande grande", reaching the top 10 in the US Adult Contemporary Chart, the UK top 10 and number one in Australia and South Africa. Returning to the James Bond franchise, she recorded the theme song for Diamonds Are Forever (1971). Bassey appeared on

8858-422: Was also the band's main arranger and co-leader), Edward Owen (E.O.) "Poggy" Pogson and Noel "Chappie" d'Amato, trumpeter/cornetist Jack Jackson , trombonist Lew Davis, violinists Hugo Rignold and Harry Berly , pianist/arranger Peter Yorke, and (from 1928) singer Sam Browne . The orchestra was often augmented with members of other Hylton-controlled bands, especially for 12-inch "concert arrangements". According to

8961-472: Was born John Greenhalgh Hilton in Great Lever near Bolton , Lancashire , the son of George Hilton, a cotton yarn twister. His father was an amateur singer at the local Labour Club and Hylton learned piano to accompany him on the stage. Hylton later sang to the customers when his father bought a pub (The Round Croft) in nearby Little Lever , becoming known as the "Singing Mill-Boy". He also performed as

9064-487: Was born the sixth and youngest child of Henry Bassey and Eliza Jane Start on Bute Street in Tiger Bay , Cardiff . She grew up in the nearby community of Splott . Her father was Nigerian, and her English mother came from New Marske , North Yorkshire . Two of her mother's four children from previous relationships lived in the Bassey household. Bassey's mother listed her first husband, Alfred Metcalfe, as her own father in

9167-535: Was contracted as Advisor of Light Entertainment to Associated-Rediffusion (A-R), winner of the London weekday franchise in the recently established ITV network. He founded Jack Hylton Television Productions, Ltd. in that same month to produce a range of light entertainment programming exclusively for A-R. In spite of their popularity, however, the company's productions were of low quality, with performers even apologising in front of millions of viewers at times. This in turn helped establish ITV's reputation for coarseness,

9270-500: Was decorated by the French government on two occasions for his contribution to the entertainment industry. On 26 January 1965, complaining of chest and stomach pains, Hylton was admitted to the London Clinic . He died there three days later, from a heart attack , aged 72. Hylton's spending habits and generosity left his estate with £242,288. Hylton said to his son during his latter years, "I won't leave you much, but we'll have

9373-629: Was essentially Barry's anointed successor, Barry having recommended Arnold to Barbara Broccoli when she took over the Bond films from her father Albert R. Broccoli . Other major composers and record-producers include George Martin , Bill Conti , Michael Kamen , Marvin Hamlisch , Éric Serra , Thomas Newman and Hans Zimmer . Each of these composed for only one Bond film, with the exception of Newman. The departures from John Barry had various causes; sometimes Barry declined in order to avoid paying double income tax—US and UK. Barry died in 2011. Sometimes

9476-500: Was forced to pull out of the Nelson Mandela 90th Birthday Tribute concert because of her illness. A biography of Bassey, Diamond Diva , was published in 2008. Bassey recorded the album The Performance (2009), with James Bond composer David Arnold as producer. A number of artists wrote songs expressly for her, including Manic Street Preachers , Gary Barlow , Tom Baxter , KT Tunstall , Pet Shop Boys , Nick Hodgson of

9579-526: Was heard in the On Her Majesty's Secret Service film trailer , as well as in the pre-title sequence of Tomorrow Never Dies . WLS (AM) used the theme in the mid-1960s for their secret agent radio serial "The Wild Adventures of Peter Fugitive" that appeared on "The Art Roberts Show". " 007 Theme ", also known as " 007 Takes the Lektor ", is an adventure theme composed by John Barry in 1963 for

9682-637: Was held in London on Sunday 30 May at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane with many artists including Arthur Askey , the Crazy Gang , Marlene Dietrich , Dickie Henderson and Shirley Bassey . Hylton was married twice; firstly in 1913 in St Asaph , Flintshire , Wales, to bandleader Ennis Parkes (born Florence Parkinson), whom he had met during his pierrot work. They separated in 1929, but remained relatively close until Parkes's death in 1957, despite

9785-533: Was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2008. She has influenced many other singers, including Aretha Franklin . In a career spanning over 70 years, Bassey has sold over 140 million records worldwide, making her one of the best-selling female artists of all time. She is the first woman in history to claim a Top 40 album in seven consecutive decades in the United Kingdom . Shirley Veronica Bassey

9888-711: Was principal artiste at the Duke of Edinburgh 's 80th birthday celebration. On 3 June 2002, she was one of a line-up of artists including Elton John , Paul McCartney and Tom Jones who performed at the Queen's 50th Jubilee Party at Buckingham Palace. Bassey celebrated 50 years in show business in 2003 with the release of the CD Thank You for the Years , which was another top 20 album. A gala charity auction of her stage costumes at Christie's , "Dame Shirley Bassey: 50 Years of Glittering Gowns", raised £250,000 (US$ 500,000) for

9991-462: Was re-recorded by American singer Dionne Warwick , and then rejected in favor of a new song, "Thunderball", hastily written by Barry and given to Welsh singer Tom Jones after the film's producers decided the song over the opening credits must feature the film's title. In the aftermath of "Goldfinger" her UK sales started to falter as well: only two of her singles would enter the UK top 40 from 1966 to 1970. Her first album on United Artists, " I've Got

10094-532: Was released adding yet another genre to the Bond fandom. "Dream on James, You're Winning" Mike Redway With the increase in audio quality for video game consoles and personal computers , in addition to the continued popularity of computer and video games , publisher Electronic Arts as well as Activision (since 2008) has included opening themes and film-style credit sequences to some of its more recent James Bond video games & spin offs. The 2008 continuation novel Devil May Care by Sebastian Faulks

10197-410: Was the first Bond theme song to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song ; it reached No. 2 as a U.S. single, and No. 9 on the U.K. charts. George Martin's work in the song won the Grammy for Best Arrangement Accompanying Vocalists . Marvin Hamlisch 's (music) and Carole Bayer Sager 's (lyrics) " Nobody Does It Better " (performed by Carly Simon ) received a nomination for

10300-412: Was the first James Bond novel to receive its own theme song. Also called "Devil May Care", the song was written and recorded by Cardiff band SAL and was available on the UK audiobook release of the novel. Jack Hylton Jack Hylton (born John Greenhalgh Hilton ; 2 July 1892 – 29 January 1965) was an English pianist, composer, band leader and impresario . Hylton rose to prominence during

10403-505: Was the third soundtrack composed by John Barry , and this time the theme song had lyrics written by Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse . The soundtrack reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and spent 70 weeks on the charts. It also peaked at No. 14 on the UK Albums Chart , and received the Bond series first Grammy Award nomination, Best Original Score from a Motion Picture or Television Show . Welsh singer Shirley Bassey

10506-490: Was to Kenneth Hume in 1961. The couple separated in 1964 and divorced in 1965 in the wake of Bassey's affair with actor Peter Finch . She then announced to the press that she and Finch would not be marrying, telling the press: "It simply wouldn't work out. Just know I am not ready for marriage to anyone. I feel I have to be free." A year later, Hume sued Finch and another man, John McAuliffe, for being "indiscreet" with Bassey. Both Finch and McAuliffe were cited as co-respondents in

10609-435: Was written by Monty Norman , and was performed by John Barry and his orchestra in 1962. In the opening credits of Dr. No , two other pieces were played: an untitled bongo interlude and a Calypso -flavored rendition of " Three Blind Mice ", titled "Kingston Calypso". Due to this, Dr. No is the only film to have more than one opening theme. The "James Bond Theme" reached No. 13 in the UK Singles Chart , and remained in

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