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Big Spender Shirley's Looking for Tiger Bay From Belfast Telegraph, by Eddie McIlwaine, 3 Jun 2003

It could be a poignant trip through the streets of a different Tiger Bay for Dame Shirley Bassey when the Big Spender touches base in Belfast on Thursday.

Not the working class district in Cardiff where she was born and grew up but the Tiger Bay here, between the Limestone Road and Duncairn Gardens.

"I'm really pleased to learn about Belfast's Tiger Bay," the Big Spender who plays the Odyssey Arena on Thursday night, said today.

"I thought you were having me on when you told me about it.

"If I get the time I'll definitely go to see the place. I know nothing about this Tiger Bay, of course, but it would be nice to visit it.

"Not that I'm going to have a lot of time in Belfast where I'm launching my UK tour. I've a black belt in shopping and I'm peeved that I won't have time to go round the stores. I'll certainly make an effort though, after my sound check, to call at Tiger Bay. It would be something to tell the folks about back in Cardiff.

"It was in my home town Tiger Bay that I started to sing and then made my stage debut at 16 in 1953 - Coronation Year.

"I remember I was a stubborn little girl."

Dame Shirley - "I love being called that, there's a special ring to it and it's so much better than plain Miss Bassey" - was giving a rare interview to let her Ulster fans know that talk of her retirement after 50 years in the entertainment business is premature.

"What would I do instead of singing? Sure I'd become a vegetable and if I sat in the sun I'd fry. No, let Belfast know I'll be back. And anyway I'm not really getting older, I'm getting better."

And this Dame also revealed that at 66 there is a new man in her life, London film producer Greg Smith.

"I call him Gregory because he doesn't like it. He's a lovely man, but he won't be coming to Belfast with me because I get nervous on first nights and I'd rather he stayed away."

So is she going to marry her Gregory?

"I can't answer that, he hasn't asked me yet."

One thing is for certain, this Dame will definitely be singing Big Spender.

"I have favourites among my hits and the one I enjoy singing most is this because it's naughty and cheeky and fun. I never, never, never leave it.

"You see there was one night I didn't sing Big Spender and afterwards the manager knocked on my dressing room door to say he was afraid the crowd would wreck the hall if I didn't go back and do it.

"I'd already taken my gown off. However, I dressed up again and returned to the stage and gave them what they wanted."

Tickets are still available for Dame Shirley Bassey at the Odyssey Arena box office and on Ticketmaster and at all Aiken Promotions agencies in the province.

© Belfast Telegraph 2003
 

Chef with the Midas Touch Charms Shirley From the Belfast Telegraph, By Eddie McIlwaine, 28 May 2003

If there's a light of anticipation in Dame Shirley Bassey's eye when she arrives in Belfast on Thursday, June 5, to play the Odyssey it could be that there's a new man in her life, as she has hinted.

Or it could be that she is looking forward to a dish of good old-fashioned Ulster champ.

There's nothing like a Dame - but that won't stop sophisticated Shirley, a particular favourite in the province, tucking into a plateful of this traditional delicacy during dinner.

For this woman of distinction gave her taste buds a treat on champ one night when she was in town back in 1989 to play the lamented New Vic.

Miss Bassey gave three unforgettable concerts at the old theatre which is now a car park - and stayed next door at the Europa Hotel, where Rab Braniff who was her goafer got the chef to serve up a dish of the potato and scallion-based meal visitors to these shores usually find too mouth-watering to resist.

"I explained to her that champ isn't the same without lashings of melted country butter and a glass of buttermilk to wash it down," recalls Rab today. "She was a real nice lady and I enjoyed looking after her as part of the promotional team. Shirley definitely enjoyed champ and asked for more and the Europa staff were delighted to cater for her.

"I know she has been back in Belfast at least twice since the New Vic," adds Rab, who plays in the Rab McCullough Blues Band, "but I've a feeling she forgot the name of champ and so missed out on the treat on the later visits.

"This time I'll turn up to remind her promoter Jim Aiken that she's partial to the dish and he'll see to it that she gets a good serving."

Rab who toured the international scene with his brother John as the Braniff Brothers is about to cut a new album with John - dedicated to other brothers who made it big in the music business.

But has Dame Shirley who has had a turbulent personal life found the love of her life at 66?

"I have met someone," she says. "He's a man with a great sense of humour and I like being with him. He makes me feel comfortable."

Her own man of distinction?

But this Dame who admits to being a loner adds:"I'd hate to be alone when I get older. If the singing stopped tomorrow I'd hate to go on on my own. I'm still a romantic - that's why I can still sing a love song with conviction.

Shirley, a superstar whose hits include grand titles like Big Spender, Goldfinger and Diamonds are Forever is the diva drag queens love to impersonate and she has a following from the gay community.

"I don't know where my voice comes from," she admits. "It's like some gold dust down my throat. As soon as I speak people recognise me even if I'm in dark glasses and all wrapped up."

The Dame from Cardiff's Tiger Bay is celebrating 50 years in show business after making her professional debut at 17.

- Tickets for Dame Shirley Bassey at the Odyssey on Thursday, June 5, from all Aiken Promotions agencies in the province and on Ticketmaster.

© Belfast Telegraph 2003

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