Cardiff's most famous daughter, Shirley Bassey, was born on the 8th of January 1937 above the Canadian Cafe at 182 Bute Street, Tiger Bay, Cardiff. The address is significant. Shirley's mum was from the North east of England and her dad was Nigerian, and 1930s Tiger Bay has been described as the "The safest place in Britain for a man of colour". There were very few non white people living in pre-war Britain and outside parts of London and Liverpool Tiger Bay was the only place with a non white majority. The unique dockside culture was described as Indo-Cymric and Afro-Welsh. Loudon Square at the heart of the community was 80% non-white and so ethnically mixed that it was said that "you could see the world in one square mile". The rich ethnic mix gave rise to a distinct musical culture based on calypso and jazz and Tiger Bay was renowned for its clubs. During the war black GIs flocked to Cardiff whenever they got leave resulting in 73 local women marrying US servicemen and settling in the USA, including Shirley's sister, Grace.

Shirley's singing career started in the early 1950s and such was her talent that in just a few years her earnings went from 5 a week to $1800 a week in 1956 in Las Vegas; her first really big break. Her hits include Gold Finger, Diamonds are for Ever and Big Spender. She still performs and long may she continue to do so.

Lots more about the life and times of Cardiff at cardiffonfoot.com.