Shirley Bassey breaks Elvis' longevity record on the U.K. Singles chart. From her first hit, "Banana Boat Song" (w/e 15th Feb 1957) to her latest chart entry with "The Living Tree" (w/e 5th May 2007), her Bassey's chart career has spanned 50 years, 2 months and 18 days (2620 weeks). She is the first artist to have a career of hits spanning more than 50 years.
Most durable male artist is Elvis Presley on 49 years, 0 months and 2 days (2557 weeks) from his first hit "Heartbreak Hotel" (w/e 12th May 1956) to the to the re-issue of "A Little Less Conversation" (w/e 14th May 2005).
The record for longest span of hits by a group is by Perez 'Prez' Prado And His Orchestra with 40 years, 3 months 12 days (2103 weeks) from "Cherry Pink And Apple Blossom White" in Mar 1955 to the departure of "Guaglione" in July 1995.
Elvis still has the longevity for records that went to number one (his first #1 n 1957, the last #1 in 2005).
Shirley Bassey Breaks Elvis' Longevity Record
May 01, 2007 | People
old shep wrote on
May 01, 2007
Good luck for Shirley, Pity the Elvis organization can't see that a chart hit on the singles market will result in added sales with albums if marketed properly
You Dont Know Me wrote on
May 02, 2007
Good onher! i have seen her 'live' in concert in the 1990's and thoroughly enjoyed the show!
Brian Quinn wrote on
May 02, 2007
Well done Shirley. Of course it must be remembered that such longevity records can fall to any number of artists at any time e.g. Cliff Richard, Tommy Steele, Frank Sinatra.... However, as soon as Elvis has a new single release then he will retake the record.