By Richard Burnett for Curtains Up! @bugsburnett
Legendary British singer Engelbert Humperdinck is back! Best-known for his hit songs Release Me (the best-selling single of 1967), After the Lovin’ and The Last Waltz, the showbiz veteran is currently prepping his upcoming new album of all-star duets recorded with the likes of Elton John and Seal, and songwriter Dan Wilson (he wrote Someone Like You for Adele).
Humperdinck’s latest career resurgence began last summer when he represented the United Kingdom at the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest – and became the oldest singer to ever participate in the contest at the age of 76.
But I remember blabbing with Englebert Humperdinck some years ago when he was riding yet another wave of popularity after recording the song Lesbian Seagull for MTV’s Beavis and Butt-head movie.
“They liked that I had a sense of humour,” explained Humperdinck who – if time and weather permit – still likes to ride his Harley Davidson motorcycle from concert to concert. “They asked me to sing a serious ballad and I listened to the song and it was quite beautiful. So if it [homosexuality] can happen in humans, it can happen to birds. And I support that. We should all have freedom of life.”
Also, for pop culture triva buffs, it was not Elvis Presley who made sideburns famous. It was his good friend Engelbert.
“I’m the one to blame,” laughs Humperdinck, who headlines Montreal’s Salle Wilfred-Pelletier on May 4. “I saw The Beatles and decided to design a hairstyle that would be mine.”
Swinging London may have thought Engelbert – born Arnold George Dorsey in Madras, British India, in 1936 – was uncool but he had the last laugh: Humperdinck has gone on to sell over 150 million albums, but only after he changed his name. As he tells it, in his early days both Humperdinck and Tom Jones were managed by Engel’s childhood friend Gordon Mills.
“Gordon recorded Stay, a song I wrote, and took it to Decca under the name of Gerry Dorsey and Decca said, ‘He’s old hat – he’ll never make it.’ I was just in my early 20s. We changed the name and they signed me immediately. That’s what a name is all about.”
Humperdinck, who turns 77 on May 2 and whose vocals are still in tip-top shape, also recalls Jimi Hendrix being blown away by Humperdinck and his Harleys. “They were introducing Jimi to Europe and had him open the first half of the show. It was quite an experience, no pun intended. One day my guitarist didn’t show and Jimi said, ‘Don’t worry, I’ll play for you.’ He played from backstage and sounded like three guitars.”
Engelbert Humperdinck headlines Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier at Place Des Arts on May 4 at 8 pm. Click here for more info and tickets, and here for Engelbert’s official website.
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Photo courtesy EH Productions, Inc.
Fantastic Article! He’s truly an Amazing man. A Legend of all times! He just keeps getting better! There’s no stopping him! Can’t wait to hear his new Duet CD. There so many great singers on it! It’s sure to be a hit! His voice is so beautiful and so outstanding! He’s just Amazing! Enjoyed reading this article! Engelberts the best!
A great article. I haven’t heard him sing for a long time. It is nice to be kept up to date.
Engelbert is one of the last of the really great singers. If you have never seen him perform live, you have missed a very special treat. His shows are filled with lovely music, comedy, impersonations, cute jokes and he dances around the stage like a person half his age. See him while he is still performing live!!!!!
Enge is one in a million no one can top our Enge. I love going to his shows.