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Miss Shirley Bassey
From "Hot from Harlem" to "Goldfinger," the story of how a two-bit jazz singer from Cardiff became an immortal icon: In 1954, Shirley Bassey was seventeen years old. She had just returned from a cheesy revue tour called "Hot from Harlem." Depressed, disillusioned and four months' pregnant, she decided that her dream of being a professional singer was over. A mere ten years later, she was one of the biggest stars in the world. She had sold more records than any other British singer of the day, and was poised to conquer America. Her latest hit, "Goldfinger," was the theme tune to the year's blockbuster film. No longer the two-bit jazz singer from Cardiff, she was by now an international sex siren, as glamorous and unreal as Bond himself.
Miss Shirley Bassey explores this remarkable transformation, both of an individual and of the British society and British psyche that made it possible. From the vibrant, multicultural oasis of Tiger Bay in the Cardiff docklands through the club-lands of Soho and Las Vegas to New York's Carnegie Hall, it is a journey from mere mortal to international icon. Along the way she would encounter homosexual husbands, predatory managers, newspaper scandals, and a range of friends and acquaintances from Sammy Davis Jr. to Reggie Kray.
John L. Williams draws on original research and interviews to provide a portrait of a young woman on the cusp of stardom, whose rise to fame was in many ways symbolic of a changing world. Brilliantly written non-fiction in the style of David Peace's The Damned Utd or Nick Tosches' Dino, this is the story of a woman who set out to be extraordinary and--against all the odds--succeeded.
Miss Shirley Bassey explores this remarkable transformation, both of an individual and of the British society and British psyche that made it possible. From the vibrant, multicultural oasis of Tiger Bay in the Cardiff docklands through the club-lands of Soho and Las Vegas to New York's Carnegie Hall, it is a journey from mere mortal to international icon. Along the way she would encounter homosexual husbands, predatory managers, newspaper scandals, and a range of friends and acquaintances from Sammy Davis Jr. to Reggie Kray.
John L. Williams draws on original research and interviews to provide a portrait of a young woman on the cusp of stardom, whose rise to fame was in many ways symbolic of a changing world. Brilliantly written non-fiction in the style of David Peace's The Damned Utd or Nick Tosches' Dino, this is the story of a woman who set out to be extraordinary and--against all the odds--succeeded.
256 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 1, 2012
John L. Williams is a crime writer from Cardiff. This is very important to note, as we are not talking about another star struck fan who is writing bout his favorite subject but about professional writer intrigued about celebrity with roots in his own neighborhood - this also means that he takes time to describe and paint the picture of what it was like to be mixed-race singer in 1950s, going so far to even add in appendix chapters about crimes and night life in Cardiff, minstrel shows (Bassey had her start in one) and touring revues with striptease (these were kind of shows she was singing in the beginning). Williams had certainly did some good research and if he got some negative reviews in UK media for unearthing old skeletons from the closet, well it depends on perspective of the reader - people who focused on scandals,secrets and dirty laundry lost the point author wanted to make - he was describing struggle to the top and what sacrifices young girl had to make along the way.
This also brings up another question: what do we expect from biographies? Celebrating someone's life without a hint of darkness would be described as "fawning" but if the author did research and found old police records & secrets it brings uproar for being indiscreet. Myself, I found the book fascinating in many ways, specially because of the writing style - it is hinted between the lines that Williams could have been far more indiscreet if he was inclined so while telling the story about young unknown girl trying to escape poverty and start in show business. Interestingly, Williams ends his story in 1967. when struggle was basically finished and his subject was definitely established - while many could wonder whatever happened in the next 40+ years I perfectly understand author's reasoning that it's only hungry years that count. While focusing on star with surprisingly long career (she started long before Beatles and is still around) Williams also brings in focus long forgotten names and atmosphere of the times. If you think 1950s were innocent years, think again.
This also brings up another question: what do we expect from biographies? Celebrating someone's life without a hint of darkness would be described as "fawning" but if the author did research and found old police records & secrets it brings uproar for being indiscreet. Myself, I found the book fascinating in many ways, specially because of the writing style - it is hinted between the lines that Williams could have been far more indiscreet if he was inclined so while telling the story about young unknown girl trying to escape poverty and start in show business. Interestingly, Williams ends his story in 1967. when struggle was basically finished and his subject was definitely established - while many could wonder whatever happened in the next 40+ years I perfectly understand author's reasoning that it's only hungry years that count. While focusing on star with surprisingly long career (she started long before Beatles and is still around) Williams also brings in focus long forgotten names and atmosphere of the times. If you think 1950s were innocent years, think again.
May 15, 2021
I've loved Shirley Bassey and her voice since forever!! I knew nothing about her life, just her music. Now I'm a lot wiser and admire her even more. Didn't know what a rough childhood, and even life, she's had.
John Williams gives a really elaborate description of people and conditions around Shirley, her life, and her career. I really appreciate the throughness.
John Williams gives a really elaborate description of people and conditions around Shirley, her life, and her career. I really appreciate the throughness.
August 27, 2016
What a disappointment.
Mixed with quotes from the Diva herself as well as jumbled writing, it certainly did not hold this readers attention.
Dame Bassey deserves more than this.
Mixed with quotes from the Diva herself as well as jumbled writing, it certainly did not hold this readers attention.
Dame Bassey deserves more than this.
October 16, 2021
This started as an excellent (though unflattering) of Shirley Bassey. It did make her sound temperamentally like Cardiffs version of Diana Ross, a selfish diva basically, which I didn’t much care for, as I love her.
What eventually made me give this book 2 stars is that it gets to the mid sixties, jumps briefly to the presentday and ends. I particularly wanted to read about Shirley from the seventies to the present day and it just cut off.
The books well written as far as it goes but, as a Welsh person I don’t think it’s a sympathetic rendition of Shirley’s life. Ultimately, half a job and I’d give this one a miss, there are better books out about Miss Bassey.
What eventually made me give this book 2 stars is that it gets to the mid sixties, jumps briefly to the presentday and ends. I particularly wanted to read about Shirley from the seventies to the present day and it just cut off.
The books well written as far as it goes but, as a Welsh person I don’t think it’s a sympathetic rendition of Shirley’s life. Ultimately, half a job and I’d give this one a miss, there are better books out about Miss Bassey.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 31, 2020
History disguised as a Shirley Bassey Bio
Has facts and history but poorly written. Author didn't know how to tell Shirley’s story. Poverty wasn't unique to Shirley Bassey’s family. Why repeat the Bassey family’s poverty over and over again without personal details as to why Shirley ’s family was worth off? Describe the degree of poverty. Shirley became a mother at aged sixteen (yawn). Give us more.
I think the author wanted to share historical facts and used Shirley Bassey to present them, which is not what I expected. I wanted Shirley and I am sure what I got.
Has facts and history but poorly written. Author didn't know how to tell Shirley’s story. Poverty wasn't unique to Shirley Bassey’s family. Why repeat the Bassey family’s poverty over and over again without personal details as to why Shirley ’s family was worth off? Describe the degree of poverty. Shirley became a mother at aged sixteen (yawn). Give us more.
I think the author wanted to share historical facts and used Shirley Bassey to present them, which is not what I expected. I wanted Shirley and I am sure what I got.
May 11, 2024
Well researched and empathetic telling of Dame Bassey.
Although, for my taste, just a little bit hard to read when it came to some of the details of her family's past.
A hard life and huge respect for a lady who has had to fight hard for everything she has achieved and so rightly deserves.
A true legend.
Although, for my taste, just a little bit hard to read when it came to some of the details of her family's past.
A hard life and huge respect for a lady who has had to fight hard for everything she has achieved and so rightly deserves.
A true legend.
February 9, 2024
This only covers her years from birth in 1937 to 1965 so it’s about her rise to fame.It’s a good solid biography,very good on the showbiz milieu of the 1940a-1960s and her relationships.It shows to have been naive with men and money but talent won out.
April 27, 2024
My first book about dame shirley, and a bit of a disappointment.started off o.k then meandered spending too much time on the racial discrimination and the diva tantrums less about her body of work.also too many extracts from other sources which didn't seem to connect the dots.
October 13, 2018
Great Read
It was interesting finding out about the life of Shirley Bassey and the people who played a part in it.
It was interesting finding out about the life of Shirley Bassey and the people who played a part in it.
November 5, 2012
It was a very interesting book about a coal port Cardiff. Malmoe my hometown used to import coal from there.The storie about Miss Shirley Bassey are also very real sometimes life is hard and her life was in bits then she was young very hard.But the family stuck together and then you are talented or born artist you can survive in ShowBuziness but some moments seems to be right in time also.
The auther of this book is living in Wales U.K. it is John.L.Williams
he is from Cardiff.
The auther of this book is living in Wales U.K. it is John.L.Williams
he is from Cardiff.
September 17, 2020
Found this very interesting - especially Shirley's early history in Tiger Bay. People from different backgrounds all living together - and combining their respective cultural musical traditions. Very well written too - gently detached.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews