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Engelbert Interview on Huffington Post

October 31, 2014

Engelbert talks about recording with Sir Elton John, Gene Simmons and Willie Nelson on his latest CD "Engelbert Calling"...and having lunch with HRH The Queen of England next week!

http://live.huffingtonpost.com/r/segment/engelbert-humperdinck-pop-singer/542c7cfe02a7604855000068

Engelbert Humperdinck: Sideburns Intact, Singer Back in Spotlight with New Album

October 30, 2014

The 1960s British invasion was at full cry when singer Engelbert Humperdinck, who had been struggling in England for more than a decade, broke through with a pop version of an old country hit, Release Me (1967).

The ballad shot to No. 1 in Britain and No. 4 in the United States.

Fresh from a career-changing makeover — the 31-year-old singer darkened his hair and grew long, thick sideburns — Humperdinck also exchanged his given name, Arnold George Dorsey, for a new, gimmicky stage moniker borrowed from a German composer best-known for the opera Hansel and Gretel (1893).

He offered dreamy easy-listening songs and billed himself as “The King of Romance.”

The revamp is still paying off.

Since then, Humperdinck has sold more than 150 million albums worldwide.

Now the 78-year-old singer — whose other hits include A Man Without Love (1968), Spanish Eyes (1969) and After the Lovin’ (1976) — has recently released an album, Engelbert Calling, and is in the midst of a North American concert tour.

He is scheduled to perform on May 10 at the Hard Rock Rocksino at Northfield Park in the village of Northfield, Ohio.

His first venture into recorded duets, the CD includes Something About the Way You Look Tonight with Elton John, Release Me with Wynonna Judd and Spinning Wheel with Gene Simmons.

Humperdinck also works with Charles Aznavour, Willie Nelson and Dionne Warwick.

“To have been in the same studio working with these people who are giants has

given me a new life, fresh blood,” Humperdinck said, by telephone from his Los Angeles home.

Born in Madras, India, the singer grew up in Leicester, England. His father was an Irish soldier in the British army; his mother, a half-German violin teacher with an operatic voice.

“I’m quite a mixture,” he said.

The singer has twice found it necessary to rebuild his career almost from scratch. Once came early on, when tuberculosis almost killed him, and the second came years later, as the result of an ill-advised business decision.

His breakthrough to success had come under the guidance of manager Gordon Mills, who had come up with the Humperdinck name, and also managed pop singers Tom Jones and Gilbert O’Sullivan.

Humperdinck, Jones and Mills were partners in Management Agency & Music, which included M.A.M. Records.

“My manager was very partial to Tom,” Humperdinck recalled, “and I got upset about that and decided to leave the company. It cost me millions and millions and millions of dollars. I had to remake everything.”

Besides Jones, Humperdinck also knew and was friends with another rival, Elvis Presley — who, he claims, swiped his long-sideburns look.

Humperdinck has had his share of highly publicized controversies, including a successful paternity suit against him and a failed libel suit against the National Enquirer for its report that his former mistress had alleged, falsely, that he was suffering from AIDS.

Through it all, he and his wife, the former Patricia Healey, have stayed wed for 50 years. They have four children, two of whom — Bradley and Louise Dorsey — sing with their father on the new CD.

The way Humperdinck tells it, his profession fell into his lap serendipitously.

At 17, working toward a career as a saxophone player, he sang an impromptu song at an English pub and got a standing ovation.

Working as Gerry Dorsey, singing and also doing Jerry Lewis impressions, he plugged away for a few years until, at age 25, he came down with tuberculosis. It stopped his career cold and almost did the same to his life.

Humperdinck did survive, though, and resumed his career. Thanks to Release Me, he became one of the music’s top acts almost overnight.

“What made me successful was the combination of changing my name, dyeing my hair and growing my sideburns,” he said, “and getting a song that was so universally appealing. With all those put together, I scored very heavily — and thank God for that.”

Engelbert Humperdinck: Sideburns intact, singer back in spotlight with new album

By Jane Wollman Rusoff

NEW YORK TIMES SYNDICATE  •  Thursday October 30, 2014 7:57 AM

http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/life_and_entertainment/2014/10/30/sideburns-intact-singer-back-in-spotlight-with-new-album.html 

 

Engelbert Was the Mystery Guest on Good Day NY This Morning

October 30, 2014

Engelbert Humperdinck: I'd Judge on 'The Voice," But Not with Tom Jones

October 30, 2014

EH 2015 Calendar Ready To Order

October 30, 2014
EH 2015 Calendar Ready To Order

Order your copy here:

www.ehcalendar.co

Engelbert Interview Live on Huffington Post - Thursday, October 30th

October 29, 2014

"Engelbert Calling" in the Top 40 on the Amazon Charts!

October 29, 2014

Pete McMurray from WGN Radio 720 Talks with Engelbert Humperdinck about His New Duets Album "Engelbert Calling"

October 28, 2014

Listen to the full radio interview here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaa_rJnUnd4&feature=youtu.be

 

Willie Nelson, Engelbert Humperdinck Duet "Make You Feel My Love" Makes First Round of Grammy Nominations

October 28, 2014

Willie Nelson has made the first rounds of the 2015 Grammy Nominations for Best Country Duo/Group Performance with “Make You Feel My Love,” a collaboration he did with UK artist Engelbert Humperdinck, off his album ‘Engelbert Calling.’

If you are a voting member of the Recording Academy, please vote to make it to the next round. The ballots need to be in by 5PM on Wednesday November 5th.

http://stillisstillmoving.com/willienelson/willie-nelson-engelbert-humperdinck-duet-make-you-feel-my-love-makes-first-round-of-2015-grammy-nomination-vote-if-you-can/

 

Engelbert Humperdinck Bound for Atlantic City, New Brunswick

October 27, 2014

If you've got something that works, stick with it.

That's what Engelbert Humperdinck is doing, and has for nearly a half-century.

At 78, the India-born British singer behind such hits as "Release Me" and "There Goes My Everything" shows no signs of slowing. Humperdinck has two upcoming shows in New Jersey and a new album of duets, "Engelbert Calling," in which he harmonizes with an eclectic group of artists from Elton John to Willie Nelson to Olivia Newton-John to Gene Simmons.

Humperdinck — who was born Arnold Dorsey — spoke in a recent telephone interview.

 

Q. You could sit home, but you're on the road. Is touring a grind these days?

A. Actually, I just finished a seven-day tour, and it was quite grueling, in fact -- a different city every night, on the bus, etc. But it's fine. It's a part of my life. It's been a part of how I live for a very long time now. I enjoy it very much.

Q. There's quite an array of performers on "Engelbert Calling." Does the title indicate that you called everyone personally?

A. I mostly did it myself. The title "Englebert Calling" came about because one night, I was listening to a live album by Elton John. As he was introducing a song, he said, "I wrote this when I was a struggling artist waiting for an Engelbert to call and ask for a song." Well, I didn't ask for that song, but I did call him (laughs). Elton was the first call I made, in fact, and he said yes, of course. Having Elton was like having a honeycomb -- he attracted everyone else to come and contribute.

Q. Gene Simmons of Kiss is on your record. Did you work with him in the studio?

A. In the studio. Gene Simmons was absolutely amazing. Because, we are on two totally different sides of the ocean, as far as our business goes. He's a rocker, and I'm in the romantic area. But he was such fun. He's a rock god, but he has a great sense of humor, which he brought into the studio. He kept saying, "Eng, just have fun. Have fun with it."

Q. What do you remember about growing up in India?

A. You know, living in a tropical country when you're that young — there was a lot of sunshine and a lot of attention — my father was in the army — so I was really spoiled in a lot of ways. But I did enjoy my time over there.

Q. You moved to England at age 10. Was that culture shock?

A. It was a great change, but it was absolutely wonderful. We had never seen snow before. Cold was something we had never experienced before. But I got to love it. That's where I call home now. I still have a home in Leicestershire, in England. That's where I will go to celebrate Christmas and New Year's.

Q. You've been talking about this for 40-some years, but please indulge me. In the 1960s when you emerged, comedians made hay with your stage name. Given that the name is so unusual, did it give you pause?

A. It gave me recognition. But I had my reservations, I'll tell you. I was worried about the length of the name. I thought, "My gosh, how am I going to sign this name? It's so long, it sounds like the name of a group!" But it's served its purpose. The original person who owned the name (a composer) died in (1921). I'm the only Engelbert Humperdinck around today. I was fortunate enough to sell 150 million records under that name.

Q. There was always an imagined rivalry between you and Tom Jones. But you were on his TV show, and he was on yours. Are you friends?

A. To be honest, we were friends in the early days, when (talent agent) Gordon Mills was managing us both at the same time. Then when I went out on my own — because I felt Mills was being partial to one person — from then on, we have never spoken to each other. That's been 28 years.

Q. You're still known as a romantic figure. Do you still see a twinkle in the eyes of ladies in the audience?

A. Certainly (laughs). I'm sort of a generator. When I'm onstage, and I generate this feeling, this electricity that I have with the audience. It's still exciting for me. It has been for 47 years.

 

ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK
• OCT. 31: 9 p.m. at Harrah's Atlantic City, 777 Harrah's Blvd., Atlantic City. $45 to $73.50. (609) 441-5000 or visit harrahsresort.com • NOV. 9: 7 p.m. at the State Theatre, 15 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick. $35 to $95; call (732) 246-7469 or visit statetheatrenj.org.

By Mark Voger | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com  updated October 27, 2014 at 8:04 AM

http://www.nj.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2014/10/engelbert_humperdinck.html

 

 

 

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Discography

All About LoveAll About Love
You’re The First, The Last, My EverythingYou’re The First, The Last, My Everything
RegardsRegards
SentimentsSentiments
ReflectionsReflections
Warmest Christmas WishesWarmest Christmas Wishes
The Man I Want to Be The Man I Want to Be
The Complete Decca Studio AlbumsThe Complete Decca Studio Albums
Engelbert Humperdinck - 50Engelbert Humperdinck - 50
DuetsDuets
Christmas CDChristmas CD
Runaway CountryRunaway Country
Engelbert CallingEngelbert Calling
ReleasedReleased
We Made It Happen/SweetheartWe Made It Happen/Sweetheart
My Love/King of HeartsMy Love/King of Hearts
Legacy of Love Disc 2Legacy of Love Disc 2
Legacy of Love Disc 1Legacy of Love Disc 1
The Winding Road The Winding Road
An Introduction to Engelbert HumperdinckAn Introduction to Engelbert Humperdinck
Totally Amazing Totally Amazing
Best of Engelbert Humperdinck: The Millenium CollectionBest of Engelbert Humperdinck: The Millenium Collection
GoldGold
Let There Be Love Let There Be Love
Love Songs and BalladsLove Songs and Ballads
His Greatest Love Songs His Greatest Love Songs
Release MeRelease Me
Always Hear the Harmony: The Gospel Sessions Always Hear the Harmony: The Gospel Sessions
Engelbert Humperdinck Live Engelbert Humperdinck Live
Definition of Love Definition of Love
You Belong to My Heart You Belong to My Heart
Love is the Reason [DM]Love is the Reason [DM]
Red Sails in the Sunset Red Sails in the Sunset
I Want to Wake Up With You I Want to Wake Up With You
It’s All in the Game It’s All in the Game
Original Gold Vol. 2Original Gold Vol. 2
Original Gold Vol. 1Original Gold Vol. 1
Evening with Engelbert Humperdinck & the Royal Philharmonic OrchestraEvening with Engelbert Humperdinck & the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
An Evening with Engelbert Humperdinck An Evening with Engelbert Humperdinck
#1 Love Songs of All Time#1 Love Songs of All Time
At His Very BestAt His Very Best
The Engelbert Humperdinck Collection The Engelbert Humperdinck Collection
Live at the Royal Albert HallLive at the Royal Albert Hall
In the Still of the Night: 20 Beautiful Love SongsIn the Still of the Night: 20 Beautiful Love Songs
Dance Album [Bonus Track]Dance Album [Bonus Track]
The Best of Engelbert Humperdinck Live The Best of Engelbert Humperdinck Live
Merry Christmas with Engelbert HumperdinckMerry Christmas with Engelbert Humperdinck
Evening with Engelbert Humperdinck 2 [Live] Evening with Engelbert Humperdinck 2 [Live]
Evening with Engelbert Humperdinck 1 [Live]Evening with Engelbert Humperdinck 1 [Live]
The Dance AlbumThe Dance Album
16 Most Requested Songs16 Most Requested Songs
From the HeartFrom the Heart
FeelingsFeelings
Live in JapanLive in Japan
After DarkAfter Dark
You are So BeautifulYou are So Beautiful
Sings BalladsSings Ballads
The Magic of ChristmasThe Magic of Christmas
Magic NightMagic Night
Engelbert Humperdinck Sings the ClassicsEngelbert Humperdinck Sings the Classics
Love UnchainedLove Unchained
Christmas EveChristmas Eve
Engelbert I Love YouEngelbert I Love You
Step into My LifeStep into My Life
An Evening with Engelbert HumperdinckAn Evening with Engelbert Humperdinck
Yours: Quiereme MuchoYours: Quiereme Mucho
YoursYours
Hello Out ThereHello Out There
Engelbert Heart of GoldEngelbert Heart of Gold
Step into My LifeStep into My Life
Love is the ReasonLove is the Reason
Live in Concert/All of MeLive in Concert/All of Me
Remember I Love YouRemember I Love You
Getting SentimentalGetting Sentimental
You and Your LoverYou and Your Lover
Misty BlueMisty Blue
Don't You Love Me Anymore?Don't You Love Me Anymore?
A Merry Christmas with Engelbert HumperdinckA Merry Christmas with Engelbert Humperdinck
Love’s Only LoveLove’s Only Love
Engelbert Sings the HitsEngelbert Sings the Hits
This Moment in TimeThis Moment in Time
Love LettersLove Letters
The Last of the RomanticsThe Last of the Romantics
A Time For UsA Time For Us
Engelbert Sings For YouEngelbert Sings For You
Christmas TymeChristmas Tyme
MiraclesMiracles
After the Lovin’After the Lovin’
The World of Engelbert HumperdinckThe World of Engelbert Humperdinck
Engelbert Humperdinck His Greatest HitsEngelbert Humperdinck His Greatest Hits
My LoveMy Love
Engelbert King of HeartsEngelbert King of Hearts
In TimeIn Time
Live at the Riviera Las VegasLive at the Riviera Las Vegas
Another Time, Another PlaceAnother Time, Another Place
SweetheartSweetheart
We Made It HappenWe Made It Happen
Engelbert HumperdinckEngelbert Humperdinck
EngelbertEngelbert
A Man Without LoveA Man Without Love
Last WaltzLast Waltz
Release MeRelease Me