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JANE GRAHAM 27 Nov 2021 The Big Issue

He’s the much-loved crooner from Leicester with a career spanning almost six decades and a legion of adoring fans. Yet on his first date, when he was just 17 and before he was known as Engelbert Humperdinck, the object of his affections ran away when she heard him sing. Jane Graham spoke to him before his UK tour was cancelled for this week’s Letter To My Younger Self. He hopes to reschedule dates for next year.

I left school when I was 15 and I had to take an apprenticeship in an engineering factory. I hated it, but it was my father’s wish that I should have a good engineering job. I did it for about a year but my wish was to be in showbusiness. I didn’t know at the age of 16 that I was going to be a singer though.

It was a year later, when I was 17, that I got up and sang in a club and people liked it. I just got up and sang, because I had courage after having a pint of beer, which I shouldn’t have had. The people stood up, and they never did that when I played the saxophone. Then they came over and asked, who’s your agent? I said, I’m not in showbiz. So that gave me a signal. I thought to myself, I must follow this up. So I started singing in working men’s clubs.

I grew up very reserved. I was very shy as a young boy – extremely shy. When I was very young, the only way I could sing for my family was if I was behind the curtain or under a table or behind the door. My first date – my one and only first date – was when I was 17.

We went to the park and she asked me what I did, and I said I’m going to be a singer. And she said, will you sing a song to me? I said, I will if I can turn my back. I turned my back and I sang this song Wanted – “Wanted / someone to kiss me / and hold me closely”. Then I turned around, and she’d gone. She skedaddled. That’s the one and only date I had, because I had to go into the army when I was 18.

If you met me when I was 16 you wouldn’t think much of me. I was pretty much a loner. When other kids used to go and play in the street or go to the park for a cricket match, I would be home alone studying my saxophone or for my exams. The kids in the street never came to call for me like they used to call for my brother, so I felt left out. But I didn’t mind that because I had other things on my mind, things I wanted to fulfil in my life.

Being in the army from age 18 to 20 made me more manly. I was still shy, but I was more capable of handling my personality. I thought it was very good for me, it really brought me out of my shell. My father was an army man so it wasn’t new to me to join the service. I loved the two years that I did and it made me a better person.

I come from a family of 10. So my father had his own battalion to command! And he did a great job – he brought us all up very well. When I didn’t become an engineer it upset him a little but when I was successful as a singer he was so proud of me. Because I took his name and my new name around the world [for his first decade as a singer he was known as Gerry Dorsey, before changing his name to Engelbert Humperdinck in 1965]. He was very proud of that.

I was determined to be a singer but my nerves were pretty bad. I was brought up in a very strict fashion, and therefore there was always some kind of a fear that if I didn’t do something right, I’d be punished. Not severely, but I’d be reprimanded for it. At school I couldn’t learn because I was a dreamer. My head would be staring out the window instead of staring at the page I was supposed to be reading. I was daydreaming, looking at the future before it really happened for me. And I suffered for that, because when success came along I wasn’t able to handle the business side of it.

I started courting at the age of 20, with my darling wife whom I lost recently [Patricia Healey died in February after contracting Covid-19]. My father used to say to her, tell him to get a proper job. And she said, Dad, he’ll do what he wants to do. He is a very stubborn person. He wants to be in showbusiness and he’s going to keep trying until he gets in. Of course it took a few years – it was 1967 before I had a hit song, Release Me. But it went to number one all around the world, and it gave me a global career. That song carried me through my life. I’ve had many, many, many hits since then. From 1967 to 1974 I sold 120 million albums. I’m so thankful to be in showbusiness because music has given me a passport to the world and I’ve been able to go around it several times. It’s just a wonderful vocation.

It’s always too late to say, ‘I wish I’d known then what I know now.’ My advice to my younger self would be: listen to what your parents say – studying is the most important thing. Get educated, and your life will be easier. Don’t get taken in like I was taken. Ignorance is a terrible thing and I regret to say that my ignorance caused a lot of heartache in my life. I lost fortunes, my dear. Fortunes. [It was alleged that, unbeknown to him, Humperdinck’s longtime manager Gordon Mills used millions of pounds of his earnings to pay off gambling debts in the 1960s]. I’d say to younger me: make sure you know what’s good, put it down on paper and make it legal.

I didn’t really understand a lot about what was going on when I first got successful and that’s probably one of the reasons why I’m not a better man now. I was in a company that owned so many things – hotels and marinas and aeroplanes and the Burger Kings. I had to renege all that to get out of my management policy. I had to start all over again. The man who did that to me is no longer around. God took him. But thank god I’m still here, and still making a good living. [Humperdinck has variously been estimated to have a net worth of £67 million, £100m and even £135m]. I’m touring again and I’m enjoying what I do. I don’t work as hard as I used to. At one time I was doing 300 concerts a year. Now I’m just doing about 80 or 90. But I want to keep going until God calls me.

I have many happy memories of my parents. Whenever I appeared in my home town of Leicester they came to see me, and there was a time when I took them to see me in Las Vegas. It was wonderful to see my mother and father stand up in a booth and take a bow, and my mother waved a little handkerchief. It was just an amazing time for me, a time I’ll remember for the rest of my life.

I’ve had many idols in my life, and I got to meet quite a few of them, like Elvis. I’ve met presidents and I’ve met lots of people. But the one person I would have loved to have met and had a conversation with is the great John Wayne. As a kid I often watched the western movies and I was a big fan. I just felt that this man had everything. I just loved him as a person. I’ve met people like James Stewart, Edward G Robinson – all these people. But I never met John Wayne.

I considered my wife my soulmate. She was very instrumental in my early years. She supported me a great deal. I think at this time, now, she would want me to do what I do best. So I’m back to touring. And I’m doing it for her. It’s going to be very, very difficult. Because most of my songs are very touching and have lyrics that are very heartfelt. They all have a new reading now as far as I’m concerned. It’s going to be hard, but I’ve got to have the ability to fulfil the rest of my life in this way.

I’m not so nervous now because I have experience in life, but before I walk on stage I’m still nervous. My hands are cold. My feet are cold on the ground. I’m hitting notes backstage that nobody can hear out there, on and on until they mention my name. Then I walk on and there’s five minutes of nerves and it all goes away. That’s where I feel safe now, when I’m on stage. Because that is something I’ve wanted all my life and I’ve been given the opportunity and I take advantage of it and I feel safe. My stage is my platform of joy.

Engelbert Humperdinck hopes to reschedule his UK tour for next year.
https://www.bigissue.com/culture/music/engelbert-humperdinck-ive-lost-fortunes-my-dear-fortunes/

Legendary vocalist, Engelbert Humperdinck is closing out 2021 with a surprise EP, Regards available on November 19th via OK!Good Records.

Regards features new studio recordings of songs Engelbert debuted on his recent “Live at Home” YouTube Special, which has hit over 300,000 views in its first month. The 5-track release includes covers of Willie Nelson’s “Funny How Time Slips Away”, “Let It Be Me” made famous by The Everly Brothers, and Louis Armstrong’s timeless hit “What A Wonderful World.”

The EP also includes an ‘Orchestral Version’ of the fan-favorite “Smile” (Charlie Chaplin) from Engelbert’s previous EP Sentiments (2020). Also included is the festive bonus track “Blue Christmas” where the singer updates his friend, Elvis Presley’s classic with a Texas Two Step arrangement.

Click to Order Regards CD | Stream/Download

Track-listing

1. Funny How Time Slips Away

2. Let It Be Me

3. What A Wonderful World

4. Smile (Orchestral Version)

5. Blue Christmas

Kick-off the New Year with an AUTOGRAPHED Engelbert Humperdinck 2022 wall calendar, available exclusively from the OK!Good Records Shop! Signed by Engelbert Humperdinck himself, this limited edition calendar is a must-have for Engelbert fans and is sure to become a collector’s item. The autographed Engelbert Humperdinck 2022 wall calendar is extremely limited in stock, so don’t wait! Purchase a limited edition autographed wall calendar from The OK!Good Records Shop for $49.95 plus shipping and handling.

Click here to purchase an Autographed Engelbert Humperdinck 2022 Wall Calendar!

And if you haven’t already, order the unforgettable “Regards” Holiday Gift Set for your loved one this season, which includes a limited edition Engelbert Humperdinck 2022 wall calendar*, an autographed Engelbert Humperdinck Holiday Greeting Card, Engelbert’supcoming EP, “Regards” (out November 19th), and a small mystery gift.

Click here to order the Engelbert Humperdinck “Regards” Holiday Gift Set!

*Please note that the “Regards” Holiday Gift Set does NOT include the AUTOGRAPHEDEngelbert Humperdinck 2022 wall calendar**

​​ My Dear Fans,

I am so upset in having to relate to you that we have to cancel our UK tour. I have come down with a viral bronchial infection & am being treated for it now. This has never happened before and I so much wanted to see all of you in the 14 cities. We are going to reschedule the shows for early next year. Stay well and remember……I love you.

The EP will be released on November 19.

by Michael Major Nov. 9, 2021  Broadway World Music

In support of his current UK tour legendary vocalist, Engelbert Humperdinck is closing out 2021 with a surprise EP REGARDS available on November 19, 2021 via OK!Good Records.

Regards features new studio recordings of songs Engelbert debuted on his recent "Live at Home" YouTube Special, which has hit over 300,000 views in its first month. The 5-track release includes covers of Willie Nelson's "Funny How Time Slips Away", "Let It Be Me" made famous by The Everly Brothers, and Louis Armstrong's timeless hit "What A Wonderful World."

The EP also includes an 'Orchestral Version' of the fan-favorite "Smile" (Charlie Chaplin) from Engelbert's previous EP Sentiments (2020). Also included is the festive bonus track "Blue Christmas" where the singer updates his friend, Elvis Presley's classic with a Texas Two Step arrangement.

The "King of Romance", as Engelbert is lovingly nicknamed by his legion of fans, recently celebrated over 50 years in show business. With his most recent albums The Man I Want to Be (2017), Warmest Christmas Wishes (2018) and the EPs Reflections (2019) and Sentiments (2020), Engelbert has shown another side of his talent by picking more introspective songs that connect with his life's experience. His new music has opened a new chapter in the legend's career as he continues to inspire and connect with fans of all ages.

Engelbert is closing out a busy 2021 which included tour dates in the United States and United Kingdom, along with being awarded MBE honors for his services to Music during the Queen's Birthday Honors in June of this year. Most recently the singer was awarded a Silver Play Button by YouTube to commemorate his 100,000 Subscribers on his Channel, powered by his weekly 'Tuesday Museday' vlogs, 'Flashback Friday' episodes and 'Live at Home' Specials.

https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwmusic/article/Engelbert-Humperdinck-to-Release-Regards-Covers-EP-20211109

Surprise your favorite Engelbert Humperdinck fan this holiday season with the unforgettable “Regards” Holiday Gift Set, now available to purchase from The OK!Good Records Shop!

This stunning gift set includes a limited edition Engelbert Humperdinck 2022 wall calendar, an autographed Engelbert Humperdinck Holiday Greeting Card, Engelbert’s upcoming EP, “Regards” (out November 19th), and a small mystery gift. This limited edition gift set is elegantly packaged in your choice of a gold or white gift box with festive red and green crinkle fill, and accented with a gold elastic ribbon!

The Regards Holiday Gift Set includes:

An Autographed Engelbert Humperdinck Holiday Greeting Card

A Limited Edition Engelbert Humperdinck 2022 Wall Calendar

Engelbert Humperdinck’s new EP, “Regards”

A Small Mystery Gift

For a limited time, The Regards Holiday Gift Set is available at a discounted rate of $54.95 (plus shipping and handling), previously $59.95! This unforgettable gift will only be available for purchase until December 15th for US domestic orders and December 3rdfor international orders, or while supplies last. Be sure to order this special gift in time for the holidays this year!

http://www.okgoodrecords.com/blog/2021/11/04/engelbert-humperdinck-regards-holiday-gift-set/

By Mark Lenthall November 4, 2021, 11:45 am The Press and Journal

Engelbert Humperdinck clearly still loves what he does – and last night’s Aberdeen audience would confirm he does it remarkably well.

Music can be a wonderful career. If you’re a professional musician or singer it’s quite possible – health-permitting – that you can keep doing the job you love for your whole life.

The likes of Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney and Cliff Richard are all still performing in their later years, but last night someone who pre-dates even the ‘Fab Four’ showed that age really doesn’t matter. If proof were needed you only had to be at the Music Hall in Aberdeen as 85-year-old crooner Engelbert Humperdinck delivered a remarkable show.

Born as Arnold Dorsey, the Indian-born singer decided in the mid-1960s that a more elaborate stage name was needed, and he has never looked back.

Now celebrating a career spanning a staggering 55 years, the Aberdeen date was part of a 14-night UK tour, which Humperdinck has dedicated to his wife Patricia who sadly died after contracting coronavirus in February.

Plenty of energy in the room for Engelbert Humperdinck gig

Most of the Aberdeen audience would have remembered when Engelbert Humperdinck kept Penny Lane off the top of the charts, so it was no surprise that this was an all-seated show. Sitting they may have been but from the opener, Funny How Time Slips Away, there was plenty of energy in the room as the singer and his eight-piece band delivered an evening of classic songs.

And how encouraging was it to see the city’s music fans turning out again in decent numbers to support live music, and organisations like Aberdeen Performing Arts, who run the Music Hall.

Black suited, with an open-neck shirt, Humperdinck brought the showmanship that saw him pack venues in showbiz centres like Las Vegas in the 1970s. There was warm applause for The Last Waltz and Quando – even though a good few folk watched the show through their smartphone screens, videoing most of what was going on in front of them.

Performing biggest hits as well as covers

As well as the standards, he turned out fun versions of Bob Seger’s Old Time Rock and Elton John’s Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me. The band were terrific throughout too. Super tight, with harmonies from his two female backing singers reinforcing the sound.

Vocally it may have been a relaxed delivery style, but Engelbert Humperdinck isn’t short of stage craft and sharp wit. His warm character and charm shone through, as did a genuine enthusiasm for being in Scotland. In November – some way from his LA home in the Sunshine State.

Earlier on, English comedian Tim Clark was a long way north too, opening the night with a 20-minute old school style set, which seemed to tickle the audience.

As for Engelbert, after 90 minutes on stage, there was just time for encore Release Me, his biggest hit. This time the audience were up and out of their seats, singing along with a man who clearly still loves the job he does. His late wife Patricia would have been proud.

Heart-warming.

https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/entertainment/3647892/review-engelbert-humperdinck-turns-back-time-in-aberdeen/

​​Join Engelbert for an evening of festive celebration and song this December for the 2nd Annual Christmas Special on Looped!

Fans from all around the world can celebrate the holidays with Engelbert through this intimate livestream event, which will include special performances of holiday classics! Livestream takes place December 18th at 12PM PT/ 3PM ET / 8PM GMT. There will be an encore performance on December 19 at 10AM UK / 7PM Tokyo / 9PM Sydney.

Concert tickets and limited virtual meet & greet opportunities now available via Looped.

Engelbert Humperdinck on the John Murray Lunchtime Show, October 20 2021 live from his Bel Air home in California ahead of the UK tour.

https://www.mixcloud.com/cronullajohn/engelbert-on-the-john-murray-lunchtime-show/

By Danica Ollerova October 19, 2021, 5:00 pm The Press and Journal

During a career spanning five decades, Engelbert Humperdinck released countless hits, received an MBE for services to music, and – perhaps most famously – kept The Beatles’ Strawberry Fields/Penny Lane off the top of the UK charts in 1967.

Turning 85 this year but showing no signs of stopping just yet, the chart-topping singer is looking forward to bringing his brand new show dedicated to his late wife to Aberdeen this November.

Reminiscing on his past Scottish gigs, Engelbert said: “It’s been such a long time since I was in Scotland but every time I come there I have a great time and people seem to like my music and it’s just unbelievable.

“Music has been my passport to the world and it’s been amazing – everywhere I go they seem to like my music, which is wonderful. And Scotland is one of those places.”

Embarking on 14-date UK tour

Engelbert, born Arnold George Dorsey, had to cancel his last year’s concerts due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, but is now excited to embark on the UK tour later this month.

The iconic vocalist will kick off his 14-date tour in Liverpool on October 31 and will perform for north-east audiences on Wednesday November 3. The gig will take place at 7pm at the Music Hall.

The English singer, who currently lives in LA, said: “I’m looking forward to the tour very much. It’s the first time I’ll have done such a big tour in many many many years – I’m doing 14 concerts over there (in the UK).

“I’ll also be doing nine in the US before I come over to Europe.

“It’s not been a great year for everybody, but I’m looking forward to singing again.”

Engelbert dedicates tour to his late wife

The upcoming tour is dedicated to his wife Patricia Healey, who lost a battle with coronavirus in February. The couple had been married for 56 years.

Engelbert said: “It’s not been a very good year for me. I lost my wife and I know that she would want me to come over and she would want me to continue to sing for her as it’s what I love to do.

“Now I read my lyrics a lot differently to the way I used to – they have taken on a whole new meaning. People will recognise it, I’m sure.

“This will be a sentimental journey. What has transpired in your life and mine in the past one and a half years has been quite traumatic.”

Performing classics as well as new songs

Engelbert said his show has been “tried and tested” around the world and his Aberdeen fans can expect to hear him sings classics such as The Last Waltz, Spanish Eyes, and Release Me.

Engelbert said: “I don’t keep it (the show) the same all the time, but of course, people come see the songs that made it possible for me to be there in the first place, so I chose some of them – the songs people seem to like. I kept them in the show, plus, I bring new music that I recorded over the last few years.”

Engelbert’s newest album Sentiments – a collection of new recordings including covers of songs by Elton John, Elvis Presley and Charlie Chaplin – was released in November 2020.

The singer promises the show is “very entertaining”.

“There’s a variety of music so it’s nice for people to sit and listen to,” said Engelbert.

“I love performing live – it’s the greatest feeling in the world when you walk on stage and you’re received in such a wonderful manner. And I’ve been very fortunate that my audiences have always received me in a great way and have given me the courage to be able to go through life with a smile on my face as I walk on stage.”

‘Release Me’ changed his life

One of the songs he enjoys performing the most is his first hit Release Me – the single which stopped The Beatles’ Strawberry Fields/Penny Lane reaching number one in 1967.

“It was in the charts for 56 weeks,” said Engelbert.

“That’s the one I really enjoy singing most of all.”

Looking back at his career, Engelbert says the past decades have been “quite remarkable”.

The singer has generated sales in excess of 140 million records, including 64 gold albums and 35 platinum, four Grammy nominations, as well as a Golden Globe. The singing legend also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Engelbert said: “I have had good times my entire life but when I look back on how my success came about…it was quite remarkable.

“I recorded Release Me and it was sitting on a shelf for three months before I did Sunday Night at the London Palladium and then, all of a sudden, it started selling 80 to 90 thousand copies a day. I think that’s what started my life and I’m very grateful for it.”

https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/entertainment/3541668/release-me-legend-engelbert-humperdinck-says-he-will-take-aberdeen-fans-on-sentimental-journey/