WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT...
- One of my all time favorite groups "The Intruders", doing one of their best! I play this one on my home system at least once a week. Your buddy, Dirk H. 12/05/08
- You’ve created something wonderful with your Friday website. Something positive to look forward to each week. Can’t wait to see what’s on the plate for this week. Leslie P. 11/17/08
- Thanks for the wonderful music I enjoy it... Great site Connie 9/11/08
- Larry, Live for "Fridays"....I even get up and put on my tornado red shoes and tap along to the songs!!!
A.P. 7/11/2008- Growing up as an "old school" listener, I love this kind of music. Thanks so much for putting real music on so we all can hear what it was like back then. This music is NOT DEAD, it's still alive; and people like "us", the listeners keep it alive!
Babedoll 7/9/2008- This "Private Number" was always a great song. Too bad they did not have more hits. I loved this song. Harper 7/9/2008
- Don and Juan were one of the great Doo-Wop singing Duo's out there. Love 'em! "All That's Missing Is You" is one of their rarest records! Northern Soul! Brian Y. 7/2/2008
- Larry; What would Friday's be without you and Friday is Always coming in Athens? Jimmy J 6/30/2008
- Thank you for this site, I'm french and
I have 40 years. I am a collector of vinyl and American music oldies, soul, funk. Il are very few in my french cas.Je this site is fantastic because I found some artist American and that I discovered the other, bravo and keep this site. 5/20/2008- Hey! I haven't heard this song since I was visiting LLC in the summer of 1972. I was crazy about her... wow! Thanks for sharing this song with the public! MSH 5/19/2008
- The words to this song (Expressway to Your Heart) are quite interesting. Larry keep the tunes coming.
TC jJ 5/19/2008- First timer for me. I love your terrific format and exciting info. I feel like I'm back in Athens. ES 5/14/2008
- IT DOESN'T GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS----THIS IS THE BEST!!!! Unknown 5/9/2008
- I love it. I am learning about all of these singers and I'm only
16 years old. Unknown 5/8/2008- Hey you,
I LOVE that song by the Casinos this week. I think it's one of the prettiest "pop" songs ever written and a great slow dance song. :) I keep getting a flash back of a girl/boy party in 6th or 7th grade. I remember slow dancing with someone - maybe Kevin. I can almost see the room (someone's basement/ rumpus room) and I know the guy had on a sweater but I can't quite see the face. I'll keep you posted. Anyway - thanks for playing it for me. Take care. B. - 4/25/2008- Larry - Thanks so much for Otis!
Can you find "Then You Can Say Goodbye" by The Casino's? Thanks! Betsy 4/18/2008- Thanks for sharing the one hit wonder.
I'm surprised this only made it to #7 as its played quite often as an oldie. Keep the sounds coming. JJ 4/13/2008- Lovin the tunes, Larry.See ya in June. Randy R. 3/21/2008
- Mr. Larry; Thanks for all you do for us little people.
Sincerely JJ 3/7/2008- Thanks Larry! Nothing like a Dirty Old Woman! Betsy
3/3/2008- This is very cool.My kind of music. Thanks. George S.
2/29/2008- Larry, Does anyone remember the days at Legion Field with POCO & Pure Prairie League and the music park behind the pool and all the good times concerts concerts?
Bill M. 2/29/2008- Mr. Green sure does have a smooth voice. I'm surprised he didn't do even better. JJ 2/18/2008
- Hey Larry - Ever heard of "Dirty Old Woman" by Denise La Salle? You make my Fridays. Betsy
2/15/2008- Enjoyed Joe Cocker. Thanks folks. - Jim 2/8/2008
- This is a great song. Larry keep the tunes coming.
TC YF JJ 2/8/2008- A WONDERFUL site- Thanks for keeping GOOD MUSIC- Alive. - Big Doc-Bdge, GA 2/8/2008
- Greetings to all at FIA!
I've been longing to hear "The Bus' by the late, great Billy Preston. Any chance you got that in your vaults? Here's to a soulful 2008! Carlos - Cleveland, OH 1/29/2008- Hey Larry, I just read about Miles and Jimi being friends. How about some Hendrix soon.
Love the website, Joy 1/18/2008- Great to get the Twelve Days of Christmas.
Thanks, Pat M. 12/28/07- A great way to enjoy the history of music and the beautiful sounds of the blues. Robert B. 12/7/2007
- Enjoyed your special on the Rolling Stones. I would like to see more on Blues Artist old and young. Keep it Groovin. Robert B. 11/28/2007
- Larry, Johnny Guitar Watson really brings back some wasted brain cells! Wore out the grooves in that album the year it came out. Thanks David L. 11/9/07
- Watson is the man!!! Your Bro. Young Robert! 11/9/07
- OMG, This song (Humble Pie - Thirty Days In The Hole) so reminds me of you Larry and 1972! LOL Andrie - 10/5/07
- I love this website, I have to listen to this each and every day. Thank you very much. I will share this with all my
co-workers and friends. Nate 9/30/07- Love this site! I call it "Continuing Music Education"! I know the songs, but I didn't know all the stories behind the people who performed them. Andrie - 9/23/07
- Can you dig up Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel by Tavares? Thanks! D. - Cleveland OH 8/17/07
- The site is wonderful Larry and the music is just awesome!!! I love visiting It's Friday In Athens!!!! Please keep this going forever!!!! - Dierdra L. - President/CEO, Getan Records, THE LIGHTHOUSE GOSPELETTES!!! Athens, GA 7/29/07
- It's Friday? How about "Don't Roll Your Bloodshot Eyes at Me" for a little local flavor? Mark B. 7/27/07
- Consider the Manhattans on Friday’s! Frank P. 7/27/07
- Larry!!!! You MADE my day with "Build Me Up"! I'm on vacation in Santa Barbara and sent it to my co-workers with the threat that I can now play it anytime I want! Psych! Hello Don M in the bay area and to Betsy! Everyone raves about your site, Larry! It's awesome! Gratefully yours, Scotty 7/20/07
- Hey Larry, Before the summer's over we need something from the summer of love for its 40th anniversary. It's for us in the bay area. Don M. 7/13/07
- Hey Larry The music is just great.Would also like to hear'The Horse' by Cliff Nobles. Thanks. Double Divine 7/6/07
- Hey Larry, Remember those instrumentals that played before the top of the hour on AM Radio? How about "The Horse" by Cliff Nobles or "Soul Finger".
Thanks! Betsy K. 6/30/07- Larry, If I ever need a D.J. Guess what,You The Man!!! Thanx: Corndog 6/22/07
- Yes! it's Friday and I'm up here jammin' in Cleveland, OH. How about some Soul Generation - Body & Soul (That's the Way It's Got to Be) Ya'll remember that one? Have a great weekend! losplus 6/22/07
- How about Earth, Wind and Fire? Angie G. 6/6/07
- Hooray for Friday!! Mary A. 6/1/07
- This group (The Four Tops) is great. Thanks VM Jimmy J. - 5/25/07
- Thanks for a Friday of Dusty Springfield, The Look of Love. Erica from Red Lobster, thanks for the look. - F.L. 4/5/07
- I love this site! Any chance I could hear "Coldest Days Of My Life" by the Chi-Lites? - 4/4/07
- I would love to hear "Unchained Melody" by the Righteous
Brothers or "Fats" Domino's "Ain't That a Shame" or "Blueberry Hill." Thanks, Patrick - 3/30/07- Hey Larry! You are amazing! I have my whole office dancing to these! Just great! Can you do a BeeGees for my boss and slip in Build Me Up Buttercup? I sing it anyway at work, may as well have the music to go along with it (the more to torture my co-workers with! Looking forward to all the Fridays-with-Larry! :) Scotty - 3/30/07
- Oh, my goodness, you found "Black Pearl." I nearly fainted this am, when I opened the site. Thank you sooooo much. Blessings P.W. Smith - 3/30/07
- Please add "Black Pearl" by The Checkmates...not sure what year, but thinking mid 60's. Thanks sooooooo much.
P. Smith - 3/23/07- This is a great website. My mom always listened to the "Oldies" station here, and I wanted to be just like my Mom, so I started listening to it and I loved it, and this website has some of my favorites. M. Pierce - 3/22/07
- Hey, I love the t-shirt. I have had it on
since I got home from Arizona. You did a good job. That was a great song last Friday (Wang Dang Doodle) - didn't know it but who ever requested it is someone I would like to hang with. And then
today we had The Zombies....that took me back to 8th grade and one of my first boy/girl parties. They were always held in someone's basement and the lights would go off by 9:00. That song always seem to bring on lots of smooching. I will not be naming names.... ;) Thanks again, Betsy- This is awesome!!! Thanks for the great site and fabulous music!! WooHoo!! Jen B. - 2/18/07
- I could not have picked a better artist. Thanks, Pat M.
- Thank you Larry - You have made my day! Betsy K.
- Mr. Larry, I really enjoyed Roy Head-Hey Hey. YF
Jim J. - 2/5/07- This always gets my Friday off to a great start! Love it!
Debbie - 1/26/07- Every once in a while my mornings are worth rising for, this has been one of them with Tina Turner.
Thanks Bill S. - 1/19/07- Keep up the good work. JJ - 1/19/07
- Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year 2007! I remember at this time in 1969 we were really gettng into Abbey Road! But oh, how I love the sweet soul music of the 60's and 70's as well. Thanks for your work in keeping this music alive. And keep on sending it, Brother! Dennis M. - 12/29/06
- Moonchild Diva in Motown - found the site by looking for Billy Stewart! I think you answered my question...who played bass on Billy's recordings? SO THANK YOU for clearing up the mystery! - 12/11/06
- Billy Stewart , alright, one of my favorites. Also, Jerry Butler, Major Lance, Willy Tee....
Your friend, Dirk H.- Thanks for Billy Stewart Larry - You have made
my day! Betsy K. - 12/8/07- I look forward to Friday's email. This is great.
Linda L. - 12/8/07- Wow! From your personal E-Mail account. I forward "Its Friday in Athens!!!" on to my friends often. The folks here at work are trying to figure me out. Their 56 year old C.E.O. sits in his office every Friday morning booming out R&B. Though it works for me, its not the type of behavior they expect from someone in my position. BLUES BANKER!
T. Turgeon - - Thanks for Joe T. Luv'd it! Roy Head and the Traits?
Hope you had a good Turkey Day. T. Turgeon - 11/27/07- I keep waiting for Jackie Wilson and Billy Stewart....I have
decided that like me, you have an older brother or sister who had you listening to this music as a kid. Hope all is well your way. Betsy K. - 11/25/06- How about a little Joe Tex? T. Turgeon
- Thanks, "I LOVE IT! Makes my day! M.N. - 9/29/06
- WOW WOW WOW AN OUTSTANDING REVIEW OF THE real STYLE OF MUSIC - Atlanta Cooking - 9/23/06
- In my time, this is the most fascinating music I have ever heard. **86 - 8/17/06
- Keep up the great and extremely important work. We met I believe at Michael Guthrie's house a few weeks ago at the HVARII Reunion. I am a great lover of our R&B and it's great to see someone who truly cares about it. Ole!
T. Turgeon - 8/2/06- Again, the "It's Friday" series is great - I love it every week and have sent it on to so many folks -
thanks again. Betsy K.
- Aretha is my personal favorite so far! Peggy M.
- LOVE THIS...I NEED SOMETHNG TO GET ME THROUGH THE DAY !!!! C. Lady - 6/3/07
- Great! Perfect! Dance Music I Love It!!! Laine L.
- I think you missed your calling as a DJ! Nicki S.
- Keep 'em coming!! I really enjoy listening to "my kind of music". Thank you. Mary M.
- I like getting your email every Friday, keep it coming!
Carlas A.
- DON'T FORGET THE 'QUEEN OF SOUL'........ ARETHA!!!!! YOUR MAKING MY FRIDAYS. RONK
- MY FRIENDS REALLY LIKE FRIDAY IN ATHENS! ONE IS SENDING EVERYONE AT THE COURTHOUSE AN EMAIL. Ron H.
- THANKS SO MUCH EACH WEEK! Nancy W.
- This makes me smile! Ray C.
- Great job, keep up the good work. Terry T.
- I SAVE UNTIL FRI AFTERNOON, BY 5:00 P.M. I'M REVVVVED!!! RONK - 5/19/06
- Thanks for this humanitarian service to get us crunk for district wide planning. Wilson Pickett reminds us to put a “spotlight on Otis Redding y’all”. Yeah,yeah, oh yeah. Fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-Faaa! Karl S.
- Thanks. What a pleasant surprise to get to work and open this e-mail- glad I started with yours first. Melanie B.
- Thanks for the Friday emails Larry!! I really enjoy them.
Kim S.- Thanks for the sound of good music. I really do love my oldies but goodies. E. Luke - 5/19/06
- Thanks!!! This is great! Jane B.
- Great site! How about some Sam Cooke??? - 5/19/06
- Thanks for the music! Steve P.
- I love this! Thanks. Dianne M.
- I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your Friday emails. Thanks for including me! Betsy K.
- I appreciate the link – good stuff!
Jon W.- I LIKE IT!!!!!! Thanks and HAPPY FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!!!! Barbara S.
- THIS IS GREAT!!!!!! Susan R.
- So in your spare time you try to cheer up everyone? Thanks, Lori R.
- I love these songs. Thanks. Terri S.
- Awesome……Thanks for doing this, we all look forward to it every week. I’ve sent it to everyone I know!
Debi D.- I needed this today! Thanks. Susan S.
Good selection for this fabulous Friday!!!!!- Thanks for the Music this morning. I think I could listen to this all day, if people didn't think I was crazy for MOVING in my chair. Have a great weekend. Joyce G.
- This is awesome! Thanks, Debi D.
www.BrothersofUnity.com
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About The Artist
Dame Shirley Veronica Bassey DBE (born 8 January 1937, Cardiff, Wales) is a Welsh singer. She performed the theme songs to the James Bond films Goldfinger (1964), Diamonds Are Forever (1971), and Moonraker (1979). She is the only singer to have recorded more than one James Bond theme song. Bassey is an international artist who has accumulated 20 silver discs for sales in Britain, Europe and the Middle East; fifty-plus gold discs for international record sales; and countless greatest hits compilation albums including one gold and two platinum.
Bassey was born on 8 January 1937 at 182 Bute Street, Tiger Bay, Cardiff, to a Efik Nigerian sailor father and a mother from Yorkshire, who divorced when she was three. She grew up in the working-class dockside district of Tiger Bay as the youngest of seven children. After leaving Moorland School at the age of fifteen, Bassey first found employment packing at a local factory while singing in local pubs and clubs in the evenings and weekends. In 1953, she signed up for the revue Memories of Jolson, a musical based on the life of Al Jolson. She next took up a professional engagement in Hot from Harlem, which ran until 1954. By this time Bassey had become disenchanted with show business, and had become pregnant at 16 with her daughter Sharon, so she went back to waitressing in Cardiff. However, in 1955, a chance recommendation of her to Michael Sullivan, a Streatham-born booking agent, put her firmly on course for her destined career. He saw talent in Bassey, and decided he would make her a star. She toured various theatres until she got an offer of the show that put her firmly on the road to stardom, Al Read's Such Is Life at the Adelphi Theatre in London's West End. While she starred in this show, Philips A&R and record producer Johnny Franz spotted her on television, was impressed, and offered her a record deal. Bassey recorded her first single, entitled "Burn My Candle", and Philips released it in February 1956, when Bassey was just nineteen. Owing to the suggestive lyrics, the BBC banned it, but it sold well nonetheless, backed with her powerful rendition of "Stormy Weather". Further singles followed, and in February 1957, Bassey had her first hit with "Banana Boat Song", which reached number eight on the UK Singles Chart. During that year, she also recorded under the direction of U.S. producer Mitch Miller in America for the Columbia label, producing the single "If I Had a Needle and Thread" b/w "Tonight My Heart She Is Crying". In mid-1958, she recorded two singles that would become classics in the Bassey catalogue: "As I Love You" appeared as a B-side to another ballad, "Hands Across the Sea". It did not sell well at first, but after a chance appearance at the London Palladium things began to pick up. In February 1959, it reached number one and stayed there for four weeks. Bassey also recorded "Kiss Me, Honey Honey, Kiss Me" at this point, and while "As I Love You" raced up the charts, so too did this record, with both songs being in the top three at the same time. A few months later, Bassey signed to EMI Columbia, and the second phase in her recording career had begun.Throughout the 1960s, Bassey had numerous hits on the UK charts. Her recording of "As Long As He Needs Me" from Lionel Bart's Oliver! reached number two, and had a chart run of 30 weeks. In 1962, Bassey's collaboration with Nelson Riddle and his orchestra produced the album Let's Face the Music (#12) and the single "What Now My Love" (#5). Other top ten hits of the period included the number one double A-side "Climb Ev'ry Mountain" / "Reach for the Stars" in 1961, "I'll Get By" (also 1961) and "I (Who Have Nothing)" in 1963. During this period, John F. Kennedy invited Bassey to sing at his Inauguration Ball. In 1965, Bassey enjoyed her first U.S. Top 10 chart hit with the title song of the James Bond film, Goldfinger - from the number one original soundtrack in the U.S. of that year. Owing to the success of Goldfinger, she appeared frequently on many American television talk shows such as those hosted by Johnny Carson and by Mike Douglas. In the same year, she sang the title track for the spoof James Bond film The Liquidator. In 1968, Bassey performed her song "This Is My Life" at the San Remo Festival in Italy and a version of the song with chorus sung in Italian became a Top 10 hit on the Italian chart. Bassey lived as a tax exile for two years in Switzerland from 1968 to 1970. By this time, Bassey had seen a dip in popularity in the UK, with her last Top 10 hit being as far back as 1963 and her albums were failing to chart. This all changed in 1970, when she made a comeback which led to one of the most successful periods of her career. She finally returned to the UK in 1970 with a record breaking run of performances at the Talk of the Town nightclub. She signed with the United artists label in the late 1960s and in 1970 released the album Something, which showcased a new Bassey style (the single of the same name was more successful in the UK charts than the original Beatles recording). "Something" was also a Top 10 U.S. hit on the Adult Contemporary chart. Other singles of this period included top ten hits "For All We Know" (1971) and "Never Never Never" (1973) - the latter also reaching the Top 10 in the U.S. Adult Contemporary Chart. The success of "Something" (single #4, album #5) spawned a series of successful albums on the UA label, including Something Else (1971), And I Love You So (1972), I Capricorn (1972) Never Never Never (1973), Good, Bad but Beautiful (1975), Life, Love and Feelings (1976), You Take My Heart Away (1977) and Yesterdays (1978). Two compilations, The Shirley Bassey Singles Album (1975) and 25th Anniversary Album (1978) both made the UK top three. Between 1970 and 1979, Bassey had 18 hit albums in the UK Albums Chart.[citation needed] Her 1979 album The Magic Is You featured a portrait by the photograher, 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 and the majority of her recordings from this period have been re-mastered and released on CD by EMI and BGO Records. In 1971, she recorded the theme song for Diamonds Are Forever. The recording featured as part of Sydney, Australia's 2007 New Year's celebration. In 1976 Bassey starred in the first of her television programs for the BBC, followed by a second series 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, and Dusty Springfield; filmed in various locations throughout the world as well as in the studio. Bassey went on to record her third title theme for the Bond films with Moonraker in 1979.
Throughout most of the 1980s, Bassey focused on charitable works and performing occasional concert tours throughout Europe and the United States, having ended her contract with EMI and taking what she referred to as 'semi-retirement'. However, her singles sales were such that she remained the UK's biggest-selling artist throughout this period, until finally overtaken by Madonna at the close of the decade. In 1983 Bassey recorded an album entitled All By Myself and made a TV special for Thames Television called A Special Lady with guest Robert Goulet. Bassey was now recording far less often but released an album in 1984 of her most famous songs, I Am What I Am, performed with the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Carl Davis. She also recorded a duet with Alain Delon, which became a hit single in Europe. In 1986, she released a single and video to support the London Tourist Board There's No Place Like London. In 1987, Bassey provided vocals for Swiss artists Yello on "The Rhythm Divine", a song co-written by Scottish singer Billy Mackenzie. The same year she released an album La Mujer sung entirely in Spanish. In 1994 EMI released the 5 CD box set, Bassey: The EMI/UA Years (1959-1979), which was shortly followed by Bassey's Lloyd Webber Collection on the EMI Premier label. In 1995, Bassey became only the second artist {after Frank Sinatra} to give a concert at the Pyramids in Egypt, at the invitation of the Egyptian premier. The following year, she collaborated with Chris Rea in the movie La Passione, appearing in the film as herself and releasing the single "Disco La Passione". The remix of this single proved a major club hit throughout Europe. Bassey released a new recording the following year, "History Repeating" written for her by the Propellerheads and scoring a number one on the British dance music chart, and reaching the Top 10 of the U.S. Dance Chart. The single reached the top five in Spain, Italy and Germany. The liner notes of 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...'. The track also featured in the movie, There's Something About Mary, and in a worldwide advertising campaign for Jaguar Cars.
Bassey celebrated her 60th birthday the same year 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'. During her UK Tour in 1998, 120,000 people saw Bassey live and she smashed her own record in London for the longest run by a solo artist at the Royal Festival Hall with ten sold-out shows. In 1999, she recorded the official song for the Rugby World Cup, World in Union, with Bryn Terfel and performed at the opening ceremony at The Millennium Stadium, Cardiff. Bassey contributed three songs to the official album Land of My Fathers. The album reached #1 on the UK compilation chart. In 2001, Bassey was principal artiste at the Duke of Edinburgh's 80th Birthday celebration. Then, in 2003, Bassey celebrated 50 years in show business releasing 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 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 also aired on British TV, the first attracted more than 10 million viewers in the UK, with the most recent in 2006. Bassey returned to perform in five arenas around 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. "Where Do I Begin (Away Team Remix)", from Bassey's 2001 remix album, The Remix Album: Diamonds Are Forever, is featured in an episode of Showtime's The L Word and on Nip/Tuck on the FX Network. Marks & Spencer signed her for their Christmas 2006 'James Bond style' TV advertising campaign. Bassey is seen in a glamorous Ice Palace singing a cover version of Pink's song, "Get the Party Started" wearing an M&S gown. The advert, launched in November 2006, also included models, such as Twiggy. It was shown for a couple of weeks leading up to Christmas, and proved so popular it was shown throughout the holiday period, with remixes of the song circulating on the underground music scene.[citation needed] "The Living Tree", written, produced and originally recorded by 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.[citation needed] Bassey made an appearance at the 2007 Glastonbury Festival. Wearing a pink Julien MacDonald dress, she performed a 45 minute set. A new album Get the Party Started was subsequently released on 25 June 2007 and entered the UK Albums Chart at number six. The single reached #3 on the U.S. 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 August 2007, Bassey signed a new recording contract with Universal Music's Decca Records and has been reported to be collaborating with Pink. Also in 2007, Bassey performed in Fashion Rocks in aid of The Prince's Trust at the Royal Albert Hall.
She was rushed to hospital in Monaco on 23 May 2008 to have an emergency operation on her stomach after complaining of abdominal pains. She was forced to pull out of Nelson Mandelas 90th Birthday concert due to her illness. A biography, Diamond Diva, was published in 2008.
Awards and achievements
In recognition of her career longevity, and admiration from the Royal Family, Bassey was created a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) on 31 December 1999 by HM Queen Elizabeth II. She was invited to perform in 2002 at the Party at the Palace, a public celebration of The Queen's Golden Jubilee. She was also awarded France's top honour, the Legion d'Honneur, to signify her popularity and importance in the culture of France. She now resides in Monaco and has recently sold her London apartment - many of its furnishings were auctioned for charity. On 16 December 2007 Dame Shirley celebrated her 70th birthday with a party for friends at Cliveden, a stately home in Buckinghamshire.
1972 - Best Female Singer - TV Times, UK
1973 - Best Female Singer - TV Times, UK
1974 - Best Female Entertainer - American Guild of Variety Artists
1976 - Best Female Singer - Music Week, UK
1976 - 22-day British tour to mark twenty years as a recording artist
1976 - EMI Award for twenty years as a recording artist - UK
1977 - Best British Female Singer in the Last 50 years of Recorded Sound - (BRIT Awards winner)
1977 - BBC TV show nomination for the Golden Rose of Montreux
1985 - Star of Sopot Festival (International Song Festival), Poland
1991 - Walk of Fame, Star Boulevard - plaque unveiled in Rotterdam
1993 - CBE - Commander of the British Empire
1995 - Showbusiness Personality of the Year - Variety Club of Great Britain
1996 - Europe's Lifetime Achievement Award - Ceremony held in Germany
1997 - Grammy nomination - The Birthday Concert (recorded live at Althorp Park)
1998 - Longest run by a solo artist (ten shows) - Royal Festival Hall, London
1999 - Légion d'Honneur - France
1999 - DBE - Dame of the British Empire
1999 - Madam Tussaud's waxwork unveiled in London (second model in Las Vegas)
1999 - 100 most famous people of the 20th century - Hello magazine
2000 - Most Successful British Female Singer - Guinness Book of Records
2003 - Outstanding Contribution to Music - National Music Awards, UK
2003 - Woman of the Year - Western Mail Welsh Woman of the Year Awards
2004 - Greatest Black Briton, Shirley voted into the top ten - BBC
2004 - Artist for Peace Award - UNESCO
2005 - Avenue of Stars - plaque unveiled in London
2008 - "Goldfinger" - United Artists single (1964) inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame[citation needed]
Personal life
Bassey's first marriage was to Kenneth Hume (from 1961 to 1965) and ended in divorce. Her second husband was Sergio Novak. Bassey and Novak were married from 1968 until they divorced in 1977; Novak served as Bassey's manager for this period of time. Bassey has two daughters and one adopted son. Her first daughter Sharon was born when Bassey was seventeen. Bassey's second daughter, Samantha, was found dead in 1985 after apparently having jumped from the Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol, England. Bassey has always insisted the death of her daughter was not suicide.
Information courtesy of www.wikipedia.com
Goldfinger
Goldfinger. He's the man, the man with Midas touch. A spider's touch.
Such a cold finger. Beckons you, to enter his web of sin. But don't go In.
Golden words he will paw in your ear, but his lies can't disguise what
You fear. For a golden girl knows when he's kissed her, it's the kiss of
Death, from Mr. Goldfinger.
Pretty girl, beware of his heart of gold.
This heart is cold.
Golden words he will paw in your ear, but his lies can't disguise what
You fear. For a golden girl knows when he's kissed her, it's the kiss of death, from Mr. Goldfinger.
Pretty girl, beware of his heart of gold.
This heart is cold.
He loves only gold.
Only gold.
He loves gold.
He loves only gold.
Only gold.
He loves gold.
Shirley Bassey
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1964
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