Description
Since she signed her first professional contract at the age of sixteen, Shirley Bassey has become one of the most prestigious singers of her time. Her work has inspired and influenced many, and will continue to do so for generations to come. Diamonds Are Forever is the fascinating story of Shirley Bassey told from the perspective of one of her greatest fans. Mary Long first met the star in 1963 while a teenager, and since then has encountered her hundreds of times. In doing so, she has developed a unique insight into the life and career of one of our most iconic singers. The author's warm personal story recounts her heroine's journey to becoming one of the all-time greats of the British music industry, performing at such events as the Oscars and the Royal Variety Show. She also holds the record for singing the most title songs for James Bond films, with three: 'Goldfinger', 'Diamonds Are Forever' and 'Moonraker'. Published to mark Dame Shirley's eightieth birthday, Diamonds Are Forever looks back on the life of this incredible artist whose music has touched so many. It is an essential buy not only for her countless thousands of fans worldwide, but also for anyone who admires and enjoys her music.
About the Author
Born in Romford, Essex, in 1947, Mary Long lived with her parents until the early 1970s. During that time, she developed a talent for portrait drawing, which led to her own one-woman exhibition in London, 'Portrait Drawings of Show Business Personalities'. Later that decade she moved to Wanstead in East London, working as a laboratory technician at Queen Mary College. Her interests turned to photography and she joined a local camera club, where she met Bernard, a keen jazz photographer. In 1978 they married and set up home in Hainault, Essex. Bernard regularly contributed photographs to Jazz Journal International, sometimes accompanied by an article by Mary. In the 1980s she worked as a pharmaceutical representative. The couple took up sailing, joining London's Little Ship Club, and contributed articles to the club's magazine and Practical Boat Owner. In 1990, Mary entered the Pharmaceutical Times Short Story Competition, and her story, 'Family Practice', was published in Representatives' Stories of the Road. Life changed dramatically in 1991 when the Longs gave up work and moved to the Isle of Wight to care for Mary's parents, Mary eventually taking on the role of practice business manager at a GP surgery on the island. In 2013, she began, as she puts it, 'the wonderful experience of writing my first book, Diamonds Are Forever ... written for every reader to feel the love that lies between its pages'.
Book Information
ISBN 9781786062499
Author Mary Long
Format Hardback
Page Count 304
Imprint John Blake Publishing Ltd
Publisher John Blake Publishing Ltd
About the Author
Born in Romford, Essex, in 1947, Mary Long lived with her parents until the early 1970s. During that time, she developed a talent for portrait drawing, which led to her own one-woman exhibition in London, 'Portrait Drawings of Show Business Personalities'. Later that decade she moved to Wanstead in East London, working as a laboratory technician at Queen Mary College. Her interests turned to photography and she joined a local camera club, where she met Bernard, a keen jazz photographer. In 1978 they married and set up home in Hainault, Essex. Bernard regularly contributed photographs to Jazz Journal International, sometimes accompanied by an article by Mary. In the 1980s she worked as a pharmaceutical representative. The couple took up sailing, joining London's Little Ship Club, and contributed articles to the club's magazine and Practical Boat Owner. In 1990, Mary entered the Pharmaceutical Times Short Story Competition, and her story, 'Family Practice', was published in Representatives' Stories of the Road. Life changed dramatically in 1991 when the Longs gave up work and moved to the Isle of Wight to care for Mary's parents, Mary eventually taking on the role of practice business manager at a GP surgery on the island. In 2013, she began, as she puts it, 'the wonderful experience of writing my first book, Diamonds Are Forever ... written for every reader to feel the love that lies between its pages'.
Book Information
ISBN 9781786062499
Author Mary Long
Format Hardback
Page Count 304
Imprint John Blake Publishing Ltd
Publisher John Blake Publishing Ltd
