Dame Shirley fan Dennis would like to share some of his happiest memories from over the years with us. Below an email he wrote for the blog and a selection of pictures he sent that we hope you all enjoy. Thanks Dennis!
Hello Pieter,
Thank you for replying to the email I sent you. It was my photo album titled 1957-2013. I was happy you found them of interest and hope you can find a way to include them in a future blog so DAME SHIRLEY BASSEY fans perhaps will also get some enjoyment from my photographs and my dedication to the greatest artist of all time not just female but greatest artist male and female! Celebrating 60 years in show business, I have been so fortunate to have had Dame Shirley in my life. Since 1957 at 17 and continue to still have her hopefully to the end of my life. I realise Shirley started her career in 1953. Making 2013 her DIAMOND year in show business. I still treasure a concert ticket signed by Dame Shirley outside Birmingham Town Hall in 1961. Priced 10/- shillings or 12/ 6 , (pre decimalisation). She arrived unexpectedly it seemed from nowhere, to perform in concert and without thinking I just had only my ticket in my hand which when I asked Shirley for her autograph she kindly did then went straight into Birmingham Town Hall. I was 21, Shirley 24 and as always gave a fantastic performance. The next time I saw her in concert again in Birmingham was in 1963 where I gave her the cuddly panda for her expected baby Samantha where I had seen her in concert on the same tour at Coventry and Leicester 6 days before. My reason for getting in touch with you again so quickly is to enclose some more photographs you would perhaps like to include in your blog of my study which I dedicate to Dame Shirley. Only close friends and family have ever seen my collection of memorabilia (framed concert posters) on my walls my collection of porcelain mugs, concert shirts, my D.S.B key ring, my Thank You For The Years, Diamond Paper Weight Commemorating 50th. Anniversary, Diamond Jubilee Concert programme at Buckingham Palace, (June 2012), concert programmes from 2/shillings to 10 pounds, concert ticket from 10/- to 35 pounds, 78 r.m.p records, 45 r.m.p records, E P’s, 10 inch LP’s, 12 inch LP’s, 12 inch picture disc, CD’s, DVD’ s and my treasured photographs taken with Dame Shirley. A Letter from Dame Shirley would be more than I could ever hope for but maybe a letter from her personal secretary, or fan club, if by chance they see my letter and photographs to you Pieter on The Shirley Bassey Blog and next time I write to you I will enclose a copy of the original letter which I gave to Dame Shirley on stage in Birmingham 50 years ago in 1963 and also again on stage in Jersey at Fort Regent in 1995 which my two photographs confirm.
My sincere best wishes to you and all Bassey fans on the blog. Dennis.
Dame Shirley Bassey Blog 
Hi Pieter, Many thanks for Part Two of the Sound of Applause/Le Grand Studio, Also for including my Letter Dated 7th February, & 3 of my Framed Posters,, I Would be so Grateful If you could,In a NEW BLOG also include my FIRST Letter, Dated the 2nd of February, & the DEDICATION Pages,,Of Photographs , Dated the 7th Of February , Part One MAINLY, As it Shows The Complete Collection of Framed Posters around my Study walls & my Desk., Showing a Full 55 years of Loyalty Which i feel YOUNGER Bassey Fans Would Really Find Interesting, With Gratitude & Appreciation For your time & Dedication ,THANK YOU Dennis.
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I was at Birmingham Town Hall 1963 and Shirley was wearing a bright lemon gown,she looked lovely,I remember her being given a white toy bear,Shirley was 3 months pregnant carrying Samantha,
I smile when I remember her saying the stage could have done with a sweep !
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Thank you John for your Reply, you are so right Shirley,s dress was bright lemon and i also smile at the comment about the stage needing a sweep,& she lifted the Hem to show her Soiled dress & i think she said it had just been dry cleaned,we all laughed.
It is Great to know you have shared this memory of mine & you were there when i gave Shirley The Panda for Samantha all those years ago i am just sorry my face was not on the photo when i gave it to her,But you can make me out in the photograph in my hand which was taken 5 days befor in her dressing room at Leicester
Dennis
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Thank you Dennis for sharing your wonderful memories. I look forward to more and I hope you get that letter from Dame Shirley.
Best wishes, Mark
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Its My pleasure Mark, i feel i have achieved one of my lifetimes ambitions so i thank Pieter which without the BASSEY BLOG i would not been able to get my Dame Shirley Collection To be shared with other Fans. I Hope Pieter can Eventually Follow up with some of my other photo,s to Show my full collection around my study to give the Maximum effect. A letter from Shirley in answer to my letter to her,, with the photo which i gave her all those years ago TWICE on stage in 1963 with Samantha,s Gift & again in 1995 with a red rose attached to the envelope 50 years on would show Shirley MAYBE had ,,had it brought to her attention by her private Secretary,& shown Shirley my Lifetimes Dedication Love and THANKS from 1957-2013 i was 17 Shirley 20, now still forever young at 73 & DAME Shirley 76 Just Numbers.
best wishes Mark
Dennis
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This is so sweet. I love it. I have only had the privilege of knowing Dame Shirley since October of 2009, and I have loved her ever since. I see I am good company! Long live Dame Shirley!
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Thank You Lydee For your Comment ,,Exactly My sentiments Long live THE Dame,,, Glad you Enjoyed my Photographs Of Shirley & i Together in 1963 & 1995,
Best Wishes
Dennis ,
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Wow, the video with the medley is WONDERFUL!!!! I think I saw a pert of this on you tube a long time ago. But I only remember Steve, Eddye and Dame Shirley. Was that Vic Damone? Who was the trio of three guys? And of course I recognize Jack Jones from the duet he did with Dame Shirley. He’s pretty good. Awesome Gem, thanks for sharing Pieter.
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ITS 3 A.M,,, NEW YEAR,S DAY 2014,,JUST HAD TO LET MARK,,{ABOVE},,, JOHN,,[ B.HAM } ,,, & ,,OUR LOVELY LYDIA,KNOW I DID RECEIVE MY LETTER FROM DAME SHIRLEY & MY SIGNED PHOTO TAKEN WITH DAME SHIRLEY IN 1963, 50 YEARS ON 2013,THANKS TO SENDING MY LETTER TO THE BLOG.
NO FURTHER INFORMATION WILL BE GONE INTO.THIS WAS FOR THE THREE BASSEY FANS ABOVE ONLY.{ THANK YOU }
DENNIS JERSEY CHANNEL ISLANDS ,
,
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Lovely Dennis. I’m very happy for you, and I enjoyed all the pictures and lovely memorabilia. Happy 2014. Little behind on the postings.
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