Diva forever: Dame Shirley Bassey on her gay fans and scoring top 10 albums across 7 decades
For her powerhouse vocals, singing the classic gay anthem, ‘I Am What I Am’, and her work for AIDS charities, Dame Shirley is Attitude's Honorary Gay of the Year, supported by Virgin Atlantic
By Simon Button
With more than 140 million records sold, and as the first British female artist to score seven top 40 albums across seven decades, there is only one Dame Shirley Bassey – who we’re honouring at this year’s Virgin Atlantic Attitude Awards, powered by Jaguar.
Blessed with a voice that can roar louder than thunder one moment and then emote the fragility of a broken heart the next, Bassey is not just one of the UK’s most legendary singers, but the embodiment of defiance and resilience too. The girl from Tiger Bay in Cardiff was a groundbreaker in every way. One of seven children, she was born to a Black Nigerian father and a white mother from North Yorkshire. As a young working-class girl, Bassey defied the odds to become one of the UK’s most successful recording artists.
Her discography includes such classics as ‘This is My Life’ and ‘Goldfinger’, and she has worked with many of the leading names in British music, from the Pet Shop Boys to the Propellerheads via Bond soundtrack producer John Barry. On stage, she has commanded standing ovations at Royal Variety Performances and the Electric Proms, while her legendary Glastonbury set, in which she stepped out of a helicopter in ‘DSB’ diamond-studded wellies, was truly iconic in every way.
Needless to say, her music has also been the soundtrack to innumerable drag shows in gay clubs around the world. Meanwhile, Bassey’s humanitarian work has seen her support HIV and Aids charities such as amfAR and the Elton John Aids Foundation over the years. So, it’s only right that Dame Shirley Bassey joins the growing pantheon of Honorary Gay Attitude Award-winners, supported by Virgin Atlantic.
When you reflect on your career, which memories shine the most?
There are a few memories, such as receiving my damehood from Queen Elizabeth II. I remember my manager and friend at the time, Beaudoin, trying to wake me up one morning, and I kept saying, “Go away, I’m sleeping,” and turned to go back to sleep. After a few minutes, I heard a voice quietly say, “So, you don’t want to become a dame, then?” Well, I sat up boldly wide awake and said, “What did you say?” I suddenly jumped out of bed! I couldn’t believe it. You then have to keep it a secret until the official announcement. I don’t think I spoke to anybody for months! I was turning people down [who were] inviting me out in case I had too much champagne and blurted it out!
I was also honoured to receive the Freedom of the City of Cardiff. To be recognised by your hometown and honoured… it was such a special moment. I also recently had a coin collection created in dedication to my career by The Royal Mint. We travelled to Cardiff and they let me strike my own coin which I got to keep. When I held that coin in my hand, I became overwhelmed with emotion.
Is there a performance where you remember stepping offstage and thinking ‘I absolutely nailed that one!’
The Electric Proms, without a doubt! I performed at the Roundhouse in Camden, and it really was a special night. I sang new songs from my album The Performance, and these were songs that I had never performed on stage before. It was also a live TV and radio broadcast, so no room for mistakes! There was something magical about that night, with the audience, the venue, musicians… My gown made by Julien Macdonald sparkled like a thousand stars, and I remember leaving the stage and saying, “If that’s the last performance I ever do, I would be happy.”
You’ve had a top 10 album across seven decades. Which album means the most to you?
They all mean so much, and I have them all framed and hanging on my wall in my sitting room at home. When I have guests over, they always go straight to ‘the wall’! They want to take the wall with them.
Which song of yours moves you most when you sing?
‘I Am What I Am.’ I normally end my set with this song. It empowers me, it empowers the audience and lifts you up. It’s such an anthem.
What song are you most proud of?
‘Goldfinger’. This song really cemented my career on a global scale and made an impact.
Which song were you unsure of performing, but pleased with the result?
Again, ‘Goldfinger’ — because of that last note! John Barry told me to hold that last note until I was blue in the face… I had to sing it to the end titles of the film!
The song ‘The Performance of My Life’ is so bittersweet. Does it relate to you personally in any way?
‘The Performance of My Life’ really touched me and there is a point in it, if you listen, where you hear my voice crack a little with emotion. I think all performers can relate to the lyrics, and probably most people. It’s about putting on a brave face, making sacrifices but having to stay strong. It was written by the Pet Shop Boys and is a great song. I wanted to record it as soon as I heard it. The show must go on! It makes sense. If you’re feeling down, it brings you back to life.
‘History Repeating’ is just fabulous. What were your thoughts when you were first presented with the song?
I liked the song very much, but the writers wanted me to sing it in a different way from the way I was naturally singing it. We spent all day to get the sound they wanted and finally got there! It’s a fun track!
Do you plan to record new music?
I have no plans at the moment to record new music. My last album, I Owe It All to You, was my grand finale!
Any plans for another tour?
Gosh, not at the moment, but never say never. Good title for a Bond song, isn’t it?
You were the first woman to win a BRIT Award for Best Solo Artist. How did you feel when you received that award?
Elated! It’s always an honour to be acknowledged… and a first!
Who was the most inspiring producer you worked with?
Stewart Morris, who produced my BBC series. He produced The Shirley Bassey Show. He got me to do all of these daredevil things like going up into an air balloon — we ran out of gas and had to crash-land into a field! The owner of the field came with a nurse and put a band-aid onto my leg. Turns out they brewed beer… I would rather have had a beer! I also had to ride a horse for one show, I think it was a racehorse, and he threw me off, but Stewart said, “Get back up.” Stewart was a strong character and it inspired me.
You paved the way for so many Black British female artists. Are there any that have followed in your footsteps since that you enjoy listening to?
I have had many people tell me that my music has inspired them from all backgrounds, young and old. I remember meeting Whoopi Goldberg after an amfAR charity performance in New York, and she told me she had dyslexia when young and by listening to my music, she was able to learn how to use her words and improve her diction.
You are being honoured at the Attitude Awards with our Honorary Gay Award. How important have gay men been in
your life?
They make up a great part of my audience and have supported me through the years. I’ve met and seen online many fans who also perform acts as me and absolutely love it. As the song says: ‘I Am What I Am!’
Which gay men in the music industry have impacted your life?
Songwriter Norman Newell, who was my record producer. He translated the lyrics for ‘This Is My Life’ and ‘Never Never Never’ from Italian to English. Two huge and impactful songs. He did such a wonderful job.
‘This Is My Life’ is such an iconic song and feels so personal. How did you connect to it when you first heard it?
I heard it and said “This is my life!”
On the subject of that song, do you have any life regrets? Would you have done anything differently?
I am a fatalist. Whatever happens, happens. What will be, may be.
LGBTQ+ rights are under great pressure at the moment, with people pushing back against equality. What message of hope do you have for minorities to continue in the face of such oppression?
Not to give up!
What’s the greatest accolade you have received?
When I recently performed at Bond’s 60th anniversary at the Royal Albert Hall, I received a standing ovation as I walked onstage. Before I even sang a note! It was incredible!
You come across as a very strong and empowered character. Where does that spirit come from?
I think being the youngest of seven children and having a strong mother.
What is the perfect day for you now?
Spending time with my family.