What's Shirley Bassey's Real Name?

The Welsh born singer was born Shirley Vernonica Bassey on January 8th 1937 in Cardiff. Her Nigerian father, who left when she was 2 years old, was a seaman, and her mother cam from Yorkshire.

Shirley grew up in Tiger Bay in Cardiff as the youngest of 7 children. She started singing while working in her day job packing enamel pots. She sang in local pubs and clubs.

She eventually came to the attention of agent Michael Sullivan, and later record producer Johnny Franz who offered her a record deal. Her first single 'Burn My Candle' was released in February 1956, and it sold well, despite being banned by the BBC for its suggestive lyrics.

Her first hit came a year later with 'Banana Boat Song' which peaked at number 8.

After signing her second record deal, this time with EMI, Bassey continued with the hit records, but she was perhaps to become best know for recording the theme songs to two James Bond films, Goldfinger in 1964 and Diamonds Are Forever in 1971, and remains the only artist to have recorded more than one James Bond film theme.

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