© OK!, February 28, 2002
Read how Shirley got the party started
Some background…
The British actress Joan Collins (a great friend of Shirley) and Percy Gibson held a romantic marriage ceremony at London’s Claridge’s Hotel on Sunday February 17, 2002. The 180-strong congregation included Roger Moore and Christina Tholstrup, Cilla Black, Dame Shirley Bassey, Rupert Everett and many more
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Thanks to Philip for this hysterical story
Firstly, have to say what a fabulous blog for the 29th Nov re Burn My Candle. Pictures are from my era! And the story to go with it. This is exactly what the blog is for!!!!
Secondly, can you post the following on the blog. I thought it was quite amusing.
I’ve just finished reading Rupert Everett’s new book ‘Red Carpets And Other Banana Skins’ (I can thoroughly recommend it) and he recounts his meeting with Shirley at Joan Collins’ wedding to Percy. Have not reprinted it as per the book (might infringe copyright?) but it goes something like this -
He was sitting at his table when this lady in a pair of red satin trousers and wearing a red beret came and sat on his lap. He wasn’t sure whether he was hallucinating or not, but Ruby Wax confirmed that it was actually happening!
He and Shirley hit it off straight away and vowed to make an album together (?).
All of a sudden she slipped off his knee and disappeared, and the toasts began. He wondered where she’d gone until a few minutes later a well manicured hand appeared on the table and she hauled herself back on his knee. Thereupon the band started playing and Shirley announced that she wanted to sing as Joan had just arrived at their table.
He mentioned to Joan that Shirley wanted to sing. Joan said “Don’t encourage her” but Shirley had climbed onto the bandstand..
The conductor, totally shocked, announced “Miss Shirley Bassey” and everyone waited for the strains of ‘Goldfinger’. Instead, without any music and a free-flow a capella she trilled – “Joanie oh oh oh oh, I have known you since time was a baby boy oh.” When he left, she was still on the bandstand. No one could get her off. Sounds like our Shirley to a tee!
Apologies if the story is a bit on the long side!!! Philip”
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The wedding was reported on Songs of Shirley Bassey
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Retrospective
This story ties in well with blog dated 15th May, when I reviewed “An Evening With Joan Collins”, a hugely enjoyable show touring UK theatres. Joan invited questions from the audience, and I asked her for any anectdotes about her singer friend.
Joan said she would need another full evening to tell us about her adventures with Shirley!
She told us about that wedding reception:
“We’d all had quite a lot to drink. Shirley got up and sang a song a capella. That means without a band. The hotel band didn’t have the music for the song that Shirley sang at full volume. Afterwards, Shirley asked if her performance was alright. She was concerned because she “couldn’t hear the orchestra.”
As Philip says, Shirley to a tee! She knows how to get a party started…
“I don’t want to got to heaven, I want to go to Claridge’s” – Spencer Tracy
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