In April 1966 Shirley Bassey made her debut at the Cocoanut Grove at the Ambassador Hotel in Hollywood-Los Angeles.
It was a very busy year for her with engagements in the UK and the USA. In the USA a show was recorded with Count Basie and with Andy Williams. Also she appeared in Las Vegas & New York and recorded her first album there for United Artists called I’ve Got A Song For You.
On February 18th 1994 Shirley Bassey became a Commander of the British Empire (CBE). She was invited to see the Queen at Buckingham Palace and received a medal making her a CBE. Shirley Bassey said: “This honour was the cherry on the cake, it means that all I have done has been recognised not only by her Majesty, but by the country where I was born.”
It is the honour given to those of her Majesty’s subjects who have exceeded in good and noble works. Shirley was being recognised for the time and money she had given to charity, especially the Prince of Wales Trust.
Here she talks with Des O’Connor about the honour bestowed on her.
A few years later Shirley received an even greater honour when she became a Dame.
Songs: Starlight Express & As If We Never Said Goodbye
Dame Shirley Bassey Blog 
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