14/2/2013: SHIRLEY BASSEY'S OSCAR DEBUT

It would be unthinkable NOT to include Dame Shirley Bassey in this year’s Oscar show (Sun. Feb 24, Los Angeles time), which has produced a special salute to the James Bond franchise in its 50th year; Bassey sang four of theme songs from the series: Goldfinger, Diamonds Are Forever and Moonraker.

Producers of the show, Craig Zadan and Neil Meron remarked that "Her association with film music is world renowned and we are proud that she will be making her first Oscar appearance on our telecast.

In June 2012, she was one of a number of esteemed artists, including Elton John, Paul McCartney and Annie Lennox, who performed at the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Concert. Bassey is this year celebrating her very own "Diamond Jubilee" with a career spanning over six decades. She has recorded over 44 albums, sold over 135 million records and has sold out concert halls across the world.