Many DSB fans plan to watch her performance on TV.

 As previously announced, Dame Shirley will sing on 27th June at the 46664 Concert honouring Nelson Mandela in Hyde Park, London.

The line-up of artists is eclectic, featuring everything from loud rock to some great African performers.

Apparently each artist gets 15 minutes, about 3 songs.

Here again is the link to 46664:

http://www.46664.com/index.php

And the ticket sales:

http://music.livenation.co.uk/46664concert/home/

If you’re planning to go, I’d welcome any eyewitness report and scoop photos to share with fans. 

Thanks  to Gary for this photo

Blake, the four-man classical vocal group, who sang at DSB’s birthday bash last year, have won Album of The Year at the Classical Brits.

The quartet, who consist of 20-somethings Ollie Baines, Stephen Bowman, Jules Knight and Dom Tighe, are only the second act to win Album of the Year for a debut album in the history of the prize.

The classical boyband signed a million-pound, five-album deal with record label Universal last summer.

Blake official web site

The Classical Brit Awards 2008 is broadcast on May 15th at 10:35pm on ITV1.

The new unauthorised biography is a pleasant surprise.

To be honest I thought it might be a rehash of previous tabloid-style journalistic biographies, like the Muriel Burgess one. DSB must have been offended by that book, because she refused to sign a copy for a fan, commenting that she had nothing to do with it.

Dame Shirley has said that her autibiography is in her songs. That’s true, and we’ll have some examples this weekend for your enjoyment.

For starters, here is the diamond diva performing Goldfinger at her first ‘An Audience With…’ on ITV.

Who else could get away with that gold feather boa? Plucked from an ostrich on steroids

Nobody can sing like Dame Shirley.  

I wouldn’t do a blog for anyone else.

Please click on this link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pd37ojdpmGc

Thanks to Scot

Above : 1998 concert flyer 

The Diamond Geezer who wrote the Diamond Diva, author Peter Hogan, is doing a promotional tour of local radio stations next week.

If it brings DSB to greater public attention, then we’re all for that!

Most stations have a home web site where you can listen online anywhere in the world.

Thanks to the publishers of ‘Diamond Diva’ for the following information.

Dear Peggy

Thought you and the fans might also like to know that Peter will be on the following radio stations to talk about the book:

Tues 13th May

1pm BBC Radio Cumbria, Ian Timms Show

Weds 14th May

2.15pm BBC Radio Derby, Alex Trelinski Afternoon Programme

2.45pm BBC Hereford/Worcester , Katie Johnson Afternoon Programme

Fri 16th May

10.40am BBC Radio Humberside, Celebrity slot

Sat 17th May

8.15am BBC Radio Kent, Saturday Breakfast Programme

9.30-10am BBC Radio Wiltshire/Swindon, Breakfast Programme

10 – 10.30am BBC Radio Ulster, Saturday Magazine Programme

The fans can tune in if they choose!

Continuing this concert.

Thanks to Pieter who is sorry about the poor audio quality.

If anyone has a better recording, please get in touch. 

‘Diamond Diva’, the new biography, is excellent!

Congratulations to Peter Hogan.

I read it cover-to-cover and couldn’t put it down.

No DSB fan should be without Diamond Diva.

Full of facts and written in context, with a positive approach.

The research and attention to detail is phenomenal.

I only noticed one tiny error in 250 pages.

I was pleased to offer Peter help, and it looks like he didn’t need any.

A fantastic work. Although unauthorised, it has been done with respect and sympathy for our favourite Dame. Her distinguished career is well documented.

… Put simply, BUY IT!

Available through this link

ISBN 978-0-233-00238-5