Dame Shirley Veronica Bassey (/ˈbæsi/; 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 officially 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 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 the double A-side "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).