For Jean

Jean with Dame Shirley

(Photo: John den Outer)

Astrid, Pieter, Ed, Susan and myself (DavidB) were all very saddened when we learnt of Jean’s death.  She was one of Dame Shirley’s super fans.  She had been a fan for many years and lovingly followed Shirley’s career.  She went to numerous concerts following Shirley all around the country and also to different parts of the world to see her idol perform.  The really lovely thing about Jean was that she was a genuine fan and was respected and liked by ourselves and many others.
 
Astrid and Jean were very good friends and she is deeply upset by her passing.
 
Pieter said:  ‘I think I have known Jean at least 30 years and I always saw her, and spoke to her at the concerts in GB as well as abroad.  We also occassionaly wrote to each other in times when there were no concerts. Yes, she was one of the best and kindest fans I have known.’
 
Both Susan (bigspendah) and Ed were deeply saddened when they heard the news.  They both knew and liked Jean very much.

Ed fondly recalls speaking with Jean on many occasions and sharing memories and thoughts on all things Bassey.  He said ’Jean was a Bassey oracle and had so many wonderful stories to tell. Even quite recently when she was in so much pain she showed remarkable bravery and good humour and her dedication to Bassey and her fans never faultered. With her sad passing I’m sure Jean would join me in reflecting on how fortunate that we all are to share our common passion of a love for Bassey and how this passion, and of course the music, helps us through the best but also the worst of times. Thank you for the years Jean, may you rest in peace’.
 
I have already expressed my feelings in my earlier post.
 
Our thoughts and prayers and I’m sure those of many other fans who knew Jean are with her partner Jan, her sister Audrey, and all her family and many friends at this very sad time.

Jean will be laid to rest at a private family funeral to be held on 8th January.
 
Dear Jean, we will remember you and this video is especially for you ……..

The comments function has been enabled so that you may share your own tributes and fond memories of a greatly loved follower of Bassey. Click Here if you can’t see the comment box below…

Jean Reade

It is with great sadness that I have learnt today super Bassey fan Jean Reade has passed away after a long illness.   Jean has been a devoted fan of Dame Shirley’s and has followed her career over many years.  She went to Shirley’s concerts all over the world and many TV recordings.  When the opportunity arose to see Shirley then Jean would be there.

I would see Jean at concerts and tv recordings and always have a laugh and share memories of Shirley and discuss what CDs we had got.  Both Jean and her sister, Audrey, were always so very friendly.  Whenever I hear ‘Born To Lose’, one of my all time favourites, I always think of Jean and will do even more so now.  It was after a concert in Sheffield when Shirley sang it and Jean came up to me and said ‘I saw your face when Shirley started to sing ‘Born To Lose’ and you were totally mesmerised!  I love it when Shirley does that to a fan!’

Jean, if ever I get to see Shirley live again I will think of you.  I’ll see your smiling face and remember how much joy you got out of seeing Shirley.

Rest In Peace.

The 1975 BBC-show part 2

The second part of the 1975 BBC show, parts of it were recorded in Bahrein.

Unfortunately I don’t have any background information about this show.

If anyone has some more information about this one please contact us.

Eartha Kitt dies at the age of 81

Moving tribute as Eartha, 81, dies

DAME Shirley Bassey today paid a moving tribute to singer, actress and cabaret icon Eartha Kitt, who died on Christmas Day aged 81.

Her death, from colon cancer, left Dame Shirley “most distressed”. The stars were friends for more than 50 years.

Dame Shirley said: “Eartha Kitt was one of the guiding influences on cabaret art in the 20th century. She had an influence that will last far beyond her 81 years.

“Eartha provided entertainment to millions of us and to have spent six decades working across many genres is remarkable.

“My condolences and deep, deep thoughts go to all of her family and friends at this tragic time.”

Kitt, who was famed for her provocative catlike purr, rose from South Carolina cotton fields to become one of America’s most versatile performers.

Her showbiz career started as a dancer with the Katherine Dunham troupe and developed into full-blown cabarets, stage acting and singing, movies and television.

She became a star in 1952 singing Monotonous in the Broadway revue New Faces.

Her first album came out in 1954, and featured songs such as I Want to Be Evil, C’est Si Bon and the saucy Christmas number Santa Baby.

In 1960, Kitt was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She has also received three Tony nominations, two Grammy nominations, and an Emmy win. She was profiled on the December 31, 2007 broadcast of NPR’s Morning Edition.

Kitt has said that she is not certain of her parentage, beyond that she was born out of wedlock on a cotton plantation in the tiny town of St. Matthews, South Carolina and is African-American and perhaps Native American on one side and of German or Dutch ancestry on the other.

# Thanks to Susan for the newspaper clip #

To Eartha’s fans from her daughter

Thank you all so much for your thoughts and prayers. My mother was fortunate to have so many people who cared so much.

Unfortunately, her last weeks were often difficult and painful. But, she did get to come home and finish her life overlooking her fabulous view, surrounded by the many treasures of her amazing life.

I was with her continuously these last weeks and held her hand as she left this world. I have been truly blessed.

She did not want to be buried because she didn’t want to take up space. She wanted no funeral or service. She wanted to leave this earth as she had arrived, with no fanfare. The life she lived is tribute itself.

I will miss her.

Kitt Shapiro