Shirley Bassey to auction jewellery including diamond ring from Elton John
Pieces from Diamonds are Forever singer’s collection will be exhibited by Sotheby’s London before being auctioned for charity in Paris
December 2023
New year honours 2024: awards for Shirley Bassey, Mary Earps and Michael Eavis
Author Jilly Cooper and actor Emilia Clarke also honoured
November 2023
There’s no shortage of first-class black Britons to feature on postage stamps
Letter: David Gold of Royal Mail responds to readers’ comments on ‘special stamp’ choices
March 2021
The Royal Albert Hall at 150: 'It's the Holy Grail for musicians'
It’s hosted opera greats, suffragette rallies, Hitchcock films, sports events, sci-fi conventions – and, of course, the Proms and countless rock gigs. Artists from Led Zeppelin to Abba recall their moments on the hallowed stage
November 2020
Kylie Minogue becomes first woman to top album chart across five decades
No 1 for 15th album Disco continues a run started in 1988, while Shirley Bassey returns to the Top 5, becoming the first woman with Top 40 albums across seven consecutive decades
July 2020
Don Black: 'the Pele of lyricists' on Bond themes, Broadway and Born Free
He’s written songs with everyone from Quincy Jones to John Barry – though his musical about premature ejaculation was a flop. ‘Everyone’s the same when they sit at the piano,’ he reveals
January 2020
Shortcuts
Gold singer: Billie Eilish v Shirley Bassey – who is more Bond?
From tone to style, the two women could not be more different. Can the 18-year-old outdo her predecessor when she sings the theme tune to the new James Bond film?
April 2019
Observer picture archive
Observer picture archive: Shirley Bassey, 16 April 1970
David Newell-Smith photographed the singer in concert in London, and music critic Tony Palmer reviewed her performance
January 2019
In Lipstick review – glittery comedy with shades of darkness
Two women blot out life’s blemishes with feather boas and Shirley Bassey songs until their friendship begins to sour
June 2018
Worthy threads: Glastonbury's performers' standout fashion – in pictures
With the festival taking a year out, we take a moment to appreciate some of the most memorable outfits seen on its stages over the years – from Solange in monochrome PVC to Thom Yorke in an Astro Boy T-shirt
March 2017
Notebook
The town that pioneered multiculturalism
Nadifa Mohamed
Long before the term for ethnic diversity had even been coined, Butetown in Cardiff was home to communities from all corners of the globe
May 2016
Queen's 90th birthday celebrations mark her love of horses
TV and pop royalty meet the real thing as no fewer than 900 horses join the birthday celebrations at Windsor Castle
April 2016
Readers recommend
Readers recommend: share your songs about spying
Think about the song titles or lyrics and nominate your songs on the theme – our reader will pick the best for a playlist next week
December 2015
TV review
Snow, panto and rattlesnakes: review of Christmas Day TV highlights
Peter Capaldi and Alex Kingston had chemistry, Chris Packham was enthusiastic to a fault, while there were friends aplenty for Cilla’s retrospective
April 2015
Blub classics: the songs musicians play to get them through a broken heart
Which songs do musicians play to ease the pain of heartbreak? Mark Ronson, Shamir, East India Youth, Tinashé and a host of others on how they navigated the post-breakup blues
November 2014
In praise of … Dame Shirley Bassey’s drive for vocal perfection
Hugh Muir
Hugh Muir: The Welsh superstar has headed back into the studio to right two ‘wrong’ notes in her iconic performance of James Bond theme song Goldfinger
June 2014
Music blog
The elder statesmen and stateswomen of music – who are your favourites?
Open thread: As Dolly Parton releases a brand new album and embarks on a world tour, we take a look at the best artists still rocking in their sixth decade and beyond
March 2013
Trailer trash
Trailer Trash's Oscars diary from Hollywood
From being hugged by Shirley Bassey to sharing a fag with Juliette Lewis, Oscars night in LA is just one magic moment after another, writes Jason Solomons
February 2013
Film blog
Oscars 2013: the meanest show ever?
Emma Brockes column
Adele, Barbra and Shirley: Oscars divas converge for the night's best photo
