Diamonds Are Forever - Shirley Bassey

Dame Shirley Bassey has become one of the most prestigious singers of her time. Her work has inspired and influenced many, and will no doubt continue to do so for generations to come. Diamonds Are Forever is the fascinating story of Shirley Bassey told from the perspective of one her greatest fans. Mary Long first met Bassey in 1963 and since then has encountered her hundreds of times, thus developing a unique insight into the life of one of our most iconic singers. Mary Long recounts Shirley Bassey’s journey from singing in the pubs and clubs of Tiger Bay, Wales, to becoming one of the all-time greats in the British music industry, performing at events such as the Oscars and the Royal Variety Show. Published to correspond with the celebration of Bassey’s 80th birthday, this book looks back on the life of this incredible artist whose music has touched so many.

Mary Long developed a talent for portrait drawing early on, which led to her own one-woman exhibition in London, "Portrait Drawings of Show Business Personalities." She then worked as a laboratory technician at Queen Mary College, where her interests turned to photography and she joined a local camera club. She worked as a pharmaceutical representative before entering the Pharmaceutical Times Short Story Competition, and her story, "Family Practice," was published in Representatives' Stories of the Road. Mary eventually took on the role of practice business manager at a GP surgery.