OSCARS: Shirley Bassey To Make First-Ever Appearance On Telecast

Would a tribute to the James Bond franchise’s 50th anniversary be complete without the woman who sang the theme song to Goldfinger? Shirley Bassey will make her first-ever appearance on the Oscars on February 24, Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced today. They also said that composer-arranger William Ross will conduct the orchestra, marking the third time he has done so for the Academy Awards. Here’s the release on Bassey:

BEVERLY HILLS, CA – Dame Shirley Bassey will make a special appearance on the Oscars®, show producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced today.

“We are thrilled to welcome the legendary Dame Shirley Bassey to our Oscar show,” said Craig Zadan and Neil Meron. “Her association with film music is world renowned and we are proud that she will be making her first Oscar appearance on our telecast.

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. 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. In the United States, Bassey is best known for recording the theme songs for the James Bond films “Goldfinger,” “Diamonds Are Forever” and “Moonraker.” (more…)