14 Aug By Kevin T. Baldwin METRMAG

METRMAG Spotlight On: 

The Enduring Popularity of Engelbert Humperdinck as he returns to the Hanover Theatre with his "All About Love Tour"

Performance:

September 27, 2023 at 7:30pm 

Presented at the Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester. 

TICKETS:

Tickets are $49, $59, $69 and $89 depending on seat location. Discounts are available for subscribers and groups of 10 or more. 

BUY TICKETS

For More Information:  

877-571-SHOW (7469) info@thehanovertheatre.org

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METRMAG Spotlight On: The Enduring Popularity of Engelbert Humperdinck as he returns to the Hanover Theatre with his "All About Love Tour"

After all his many career milestones, honors and acclaim, the entertainer known as ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK could just look back and smile in retrospect of his musical legacy. 

Instead, he chooses to continue to expand upon that legacy, appearing here soon, bringing along some timeless favorites of the past and reaching forward to the future with new material. 

On tour, ENGELBERT makes two stops in Massachusetts next month: A performance at the Hanover Theatre in Worcester on September 27th and then appearing the very next night at Memorial Hall in Plymouth on September 28th.

His schedule is non-stop. His name should actually be "Energizer Bunny Humperdinck" (MBE) because, as the ad states, this entertainer just keeps going and going and going and...

METRMag chatted with ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK to see what it is that drives him and, from the outset, it is clear that much of that drive comes from a single source - that intense bond uniting entertainer to fans. 

In the case of "Enge" that bond is made of concrete.

When arranging for this interview, I was advised by others who had spoken with him that ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK was "an incredibly nice person." 

They were not "overselling." He was thoroughly gracious and made this interview both insightful and pleasant. 

Many already know of his legendary career. Record sales in excess of 140 million records, including 64 gold albums and 35 platinum, four Grammy® nominations, a Golden Globe®, and stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Las Vegas Walk of Fame and Leicester Walk of Fame.

It was ENGELBERT'S agent, Gordon Mills, who came up with his stage name. But, curiously – "stage names" - not as common these days but, back in the early days of entertainment venues, were usually applied to provide a shortened take on the “marquis persona.” 

“Marion Robert Morrison” (8 syllables) became “John Wayne” (2 syllables) 

“Henry John Deutschendorf, Jr.” (also 8 syllables) became “John Denver” (3 syllables) 

“Robert Allen Zimmerman” (7 syllables) became “Bob Dylan” (also 3 syllables) 

And so on… 

Yet, this esteemed singer went from “Arnold Dorsey” to “Gerry Dorsey” (both 4 syllables) all the way to “ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK” (6 syllables and a whopping 20 letters). 

Plus, he chose the name of a 19th century German composer (who gave us an opera for the tale of "Hansel and Gretel"). 

So, not so much “why” but why does the "Artist Formerly Known as 'Dorsey'" think it worked when, given the examples above, by all rights, it shouldn’t have?  

"Honestly, I always thought big," HUMPERDINCK says. "My dreams were of only being a working entertainer and, when you're a starving musician waiting to be discovered, anything is eligible." 

"My manager came up with the name," he continues. "He managed three entertainers at the time and gave us all our stage names: Gilbert O’Sullivan (Raymond O'Sullivan), 'Tom Jones' (Thomas Woodward) and me. He may have given me the longest name of the three but, at 57 years, it is a name that has only treated me with kindness and greatness."

That "greatness" would come to include a notable career that has seen HUMPERDINCKperforming around the world and for royalty, presidents and world leaders. 

Curiously, the entertainer's children (Bradley, Jason, Scott and Louise) and grandchildren - all go by “Dorsey” and not the stage name. Some of them are even involved in the entertainment business. Yet they all chose the given family name of “Dorsey.” 

So, this begs the question: Why do they not also use “HUMPERDINCK" given its popularity thanks to the entertainer?  The entertainer responds most humbly.

"Our late Queen (Elizabeth) was very wonderful and gave me the title MBE. For the kids, 'Dorsey' is still a very strong name. Dorsey still appears on my passport. My father was Dorsey, and I was and sometimes could still be addressed as Dorsey." 

As the entertainer notes, he was awarded the Honor of Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) on Her Majesty the Queen’s Birthday Honors Listpresented by Her Royal Highness Princess Anne.

And yet, was there ever a point where, after he had achieved his success, that he might consider, perhaps, losing the pseudonym and returning to "Dorsey?"  

"I never did, not once. I just didn’t think it was a good idea," He says. "Because, once you start a career, it would be like starting over again. when I started as a musician. I began by playing the saxophone and, after I got sick as a child, I stopped playing it and had to learn to start over again, this time using my throat as my instrument."

Using that voice as his golden throated "instrument," ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK has recorded across multiple genres of music. 

His career milestones are not only massive but have global recognition unmatched, as well. 

Yet, with that said, how did he go from a cavalcade of classics such as “A Man Without Love,” “Release Me,” “Spanish Eyes,” “The Last Waltz,” “Quando Quando Quando,” “There Goes My Everything,” “After the Lovin',” “Les Bicyclettes de Belsize,” and “Bésame Mucho” to...“Lesbian Seagull” (from the 1996 film “Beavis and Butt‐Head Do America”)? 

The legendary entertainer laughs as he responds on how the gig come about and how must it have felt for ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK to have a song that was released as a single back-to-back with “Lover Rollercoaster” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers?

"I was at the Greek Theatre in L.A. and the people from the movie came to the show," the singer recalls. "They saw I had  a bit of sense of humor and they approached me about it. I told them to send it to me and, once I heard it, I loved its content and, subsequently, I recorded it. It went platinum. You never can tell. So, I always believe that, when an opportunity comes along, you never turn it down."

ENGELBERT'S hit song “A Man Without Love” was just featured in Marvel’s “Moon Knight” Disney+ Series, with his music & social media charts breaking all records. 

In Sony Pictures’ new Brad Pitt film “Bullet Train” ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK'S song “Forever Blowing Bubbles” is featured as well.

Like the aforementioned Sir Tom Jones, ENGELBERT'S career longevity is unsurpassed, overcoming a negative stereotype commonly associated with "crooners." 

When talking about singers, the word “Crooner” is not used as much these days. 

It has since been replaced with terms such as (but not limited to): "vocalist," “song stylist” or “song interpreter” - to help lose part of that old “Vegas lounge act” stigma. 

In a mid-to-late 60s era where harder edge music, psychedelic acts, a "counter culture" movement and singer-songwriters were emerging, HUMPERDINCK and Jones were firmly entrenched on the side of the "old guard" - seen as descendants of Sinatra, Crosby or Dean Martin.

Both Jones and HUMPERDINCK were stigmatized by what some would perceive as the "crooner" persona but it certainly did not deter either from what would prove to be their illustrious career path choices.

Both Jones and HUMPERDINCK stayed true to themselves and what they did and, as a result, amassed fans who have remained steadfast, fearlessly devoted and continuing to attend and enjoy their concerts. 

The love and affection his fans show for ENGELBERT is both touching and fervent. It comes across as more like a spiritual bond between artist and audience and, at times, it is just a joy to behold. 

Yet, does he have an explanation for the sheer depth of this connection? Does it come from something other than just people seeking entertainment? 

"I go out, I sign autographs, I do many audience selfies - they, these fans, these wonderful people, they all put me where I am today," he says. "And, because I treat them well and they know I am responsive and appreciative, I think that is why I have had such loyal fans."

Once known as "Humperdinckers" the singer recalls how his fans had "many, many names and at one point, I had over 300 fan clubs all over the world." 

"There has always been support and they have always been great to me," he says. "in some places, they used to come and decorate my dressing rooms but, with COVID, that, sadly, went away. Now, these days, I do these 'Tuesday Museday' (VLOGs) with me talking to the fans every Tuesday. I love to read their comments when I have time."

ENGELBERT was blessed with a loving wife of nearly six decades, Patricia. 

Many performers feel a presence of their 'soulmates' when going out on stage. Does ENGELBERT still feel part of Patricia is always present whenever he performs? Is there that one song that most reminds him of her? 

"Oh, yes," he says. "I wrote a song 'Everywhere I Go' 30 years ago and I never thought it would have the meaning that it does for me now. Of course, I still wish she would be everywhere I go, been everywhere I went. I sometimes have trouble finishing the song. More than that - Now I tend to 'read' all my lyrics differently."

While known for a specific performance style, was there ever a point in ENGELBERT'S career where he wanted to try something that was further away from what he had been known for doing?  

"Oh, as a matter of fact, there is a project coming up as we speak and from which I will be stepping far outside my comfort zone - but I cannot talk about it right now. It is a very 'hush-hush' thing at the moment."  

At a spry, youthful 87-years-old, the singer's incredible life's journey and career has afforded him the opportunity to cross paths with other icons in multiple fields, meeting the most famous of entertainment icons from Cary Grant, Elvis Presley to Jayne Mansfield. 

In fact, ENGELBERT would buy Mansfield's home shortly before her tragic death. He would live in the home for over 30 years. He recalls how one of Mansfield's children, actress Mariska Hargitay (of "Law and Order: Special Victims Unit" fame) visited the house.

"Well, Mariska was about 14 or so and friends with my daughter," as the singer remembers. "She came over the house one time and asked me to show her around the place, which I did. I gave her a tour. She was such a delightful girl."

Was there that one person, though, among all of the cultural icons and historic figures for whom ENGELBERT was left awestruck?

"I have been blessed to meet some wonderful, important people, including royalty," he says. "There was meeting the Queen (Elizabeth). Our paths crossed. She was great with me. I have been to the Palace many times." 

"But, at the beginning, there was Cary Grant.," he recalls quite fondly. "As a matter of fact, it was Cary who was responsible for my getting my first television show. He used to come around on set with his daughter whenever he could."

These days, when ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK, MBE is not on stage, what does his alter ego, "Mr. Dorsey," like doing in his spare time? Any hobbies that might surprise even the most ardent of fans?   

"I am a golfer, I love playing – I don’t ride my Harley anymore because the roads are so dangerous," he says. "The other thing I do is my crosswords, I write poetry – one of my favorite past times. I am also an avid TV fan. I find that television can present you with some bright new ideas, and I am always looking for new ideas." 

With children and grandchildren spread out across the globe – does he get to spend as much time with them as he would like these days? 

"Well, I do with the ones that are close by – my daughter is in Nashville," He says. "The ones in Australia I don’t get to see as much - but, I'll be doing a world tour next year and look forward to getting to visit them at some point." 

ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK has performed in Worcester at the Hanover Theatre before. He speaks of his looking forward to playing there again.

"I certainly am but, this time, it is going to be a little bit different. I've got some new material. I hope they like it." 

Whatever the revered and distinguished entertainer brings, rest assured there will be plenty of great songs to enjoy for both "Humperdinckers" and NON-"Humperdinckers" alike.

Tickets for Worcester's Hanover Theatre: # 877-571-SHOW (7469) or email: info@thehanovertheatre.org 

Tickets for Memorial Hall in Plymouth: # 800-657-8774 or visit www.memorialhall.com 

Kevin T. Baldwin is a member of the American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA)

@MetrmagReviews

@Theatre_Critics 

ABOUT THE SHOW

In a career spanning over 50 years, ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK has generated sales in excess of 140 million records, including 64 gold albums and 35 platinum, four Grammy® nominations, a Golden Globe®, and stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Las Vegas Walk of Fame and Leicester Walk of Fame.

He has performed for the Queen four times, several presidents and many heads of state. 

ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK has recorded everything from the most romantic ballads to movie theme songs, disco, rock, and even gospel. 

His unique voice has charmed millions of fans around the globe. 

ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK exploded on to the music scene with The Beatles and the Rolling Stones. 

The shy, handsome man catapulted almost instantly to world icon. 

ENGELBERT became great friends with Elvis and the two legends often performed each other’s songs. 

His first single in the charts was “Release Me,” which went into the Guinness Book of Records for achieving 56 consecutive weeks on the charts. It went number one in 11 countries. 

The following decades saw ENGELBERT constantly touring the world to sell-out crowds. 

He still takes great pleasure in every moment on stage.

ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK'S music has transcended time and his voice continues to reach out to people now serving to transport and inspire, to embrace and to provoke feelings and emotions, ingredients that are no doubt the essence of his long-lasting success.

ENGELBERT'S hit song “A Man Without Love” was just featured in Marvel’s “Moon Knight” Disney+ Series, with his music & social media charts breaking all records. 

In Sony Pictures’ new Brad Pitt film “Bullet Train” ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK'S song “Forever Blowing Bubbles” is featured as well.

ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK was just awarded the Honor of Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) on Her Majesty the Queen’s Birthday Honors Listpresented by Her Royal Highness Princess Anne.

https://www.metrmag.com/featured-stories/metrmag-spotlight-on-the-enduring-popularity-of-engelbert-humperdinck-as-he-returns-to-the-hanover-theatre-with-his-all-about-love-tour-worcester-ma?fbclid=IwAR04KNBd2E3_gUXuK85gcms-tfq7d53HIpftG59V4tFXYBkXcaiUfoFExtg

 

 

Episode 187 with Engelbert Humperdinck

BUDDY IAHN  JULY 28, 2023

Singer recently released All About Love album
Instead of receiving gifts in celebration of his 87th birthday in May, iconic singer Engelbert Humperdinck gifted fans his new album, All About Love via OK! Good Records. A collection of eye-opening reinterpretations of classic love songs, reworkings of some of his own classics, and duets with two of the most-celebrated Mexican singers vocalists today (“Mexico’s Sweetheart” Angelica Maria and Grammy-nominated Mariachi star Lupita Infante), his new 13 track collection is more proof that Engelbert just gets better with age.

The four-time Grammy-nominated and multi-Platinum selling legend tackles some of the most beloved romantic tracks and puts a unique spin on them, including the No. 1 R&B hit “If You Don’t Know Me By Now” which was originally released by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes in 1972 (also covered by Simply Red in 1989) and the Philly soul classic “When Will I See You Again” (originally released in 1974 by The Three Degrees). Among other tracks are The Bee Gees’ first US No. 1 (and one of the greatest love songs of the era) “How Can You Mend A Broken Heart,” Lou Rawls’ perennial classic “You’ll Never Find Another Love Like Mine,” and Mel & Tim’s “Starting All Over Again.” Released last fall, his country-western tinged rendition of Barry White’s 1974 Gold-selling chart topper “You’re The First, The Last, My Everything” has amassed over 2.7 million views on YouTube and inspired a line-dance from its celebratory music video, which was filmed at Los Angeles’ authentic Honky-Tonk club, Cowboy Palace Saloon.

All About Love was recorded at famous Blackbird Studios with some of Nashville’s finest musicians, including Dave Cohen (Carrie Underwood, Reba McEntire, Florida Georgia Line) on keyboards, Rob McNelley (Buddy Guy, Miranda Lambert, Keith Urban) on guitars, Lex Price (Shemekia Copeland, Neko Case, Indigo Girls) on bass, Jerry Roe (LeeAnn Womack, Luke Combs, Keith Urban) on drums, Fred Eltringham (Sheryl Crow, Lucinda Williams, Willie Nelson) on drums, and even legend Charlie McCoy (Elvis Presley, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan).

Thanks to massive awareness from creative placement of his classic hits in current and vastly popular mainstream TV shows and films, Engelbert’s popularity has exploded exponentially in recent years. The aforementioned “A Man Without Love” was featured on the Marvel Universe series Moon Knight and “Quando, Quando, Quando” found itself on Netflix’s Umbrella Academy. His newly recorded version of West Ham United’s football anthem “Forever Blowing Bubbles” was featured prominently in Brad Pitt’s No. 1 runaway hit movie Bullet Train.

The legendary singer is also on tour, with stops throughout the US, Europe, South American and Asia.

Humperdinck recently chatted with us to discuss the album, touring, his career and more.

https://themusicuniverse.com/episode-187-with-engelbert-humperdinck/

 

https://headlinermagazine.net/radio/headliner-radio.html

Engelbert Humperdinck has been a much-loved international singing sensation for more than 50 years. He joins Craig Bennett in Los Angeles to discuss his lengthy career, and his plans for an upcoming world tour.

https://fb.watch/liOQcGkf89/

Engelbert Humperdinck’s ‘All My Love’ is filled with 1970s soul songs and his documentary ‘The Legend Continues’ takes us to three continents.

• Warren Kurtz Goldmine Magazine June 19, 2023

Engelbert Humperdinck returns to Goldmine with what has become almost an annual tradition since 2017, discussing his latest recordings and projects. For African American Music Appreciation Month (aka Black Music Month), Humperdinck discusses the half dozen 1970s soul songs from his new OK! Good Records release All My Love and more, plus he shares a glimpse into his new Cleopatra Entertainment documentary The Legend Continues.

GOLDMINE: Welcome to back again to Goldmine for our seventh time in seven years. You continue to release wonderful music and entertain us fans onstage.

ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK: Thank you. I am headed to Chile next, and I am in the process of brushing up on my Spanish because I will be singing about five songs in Spanish plus my standards. I took language lessons a long time ago, so now I am taking a refresher course.

GM: The new album ends with a pair of songs in Spanish. I enjoy the video of you and Lupita Infante smoothly performing “Bésame Mucho.” 

EH: Thank you very much. I do sing a little bit of Spanish in there. Not too bad, am I? Ha-ha.

GM: Then there is a bit of Spanish on a new version of a hit of yours that I grew up on, “A Man Without Love.”

EH: That is with Angélica María who is the sweetheart of Mexico and the numbers of viewers of that video is incredible, over two million. She beautifully handles the Spanish lines in the duet.

GM: Almost half of the 13 songs on the new album are soul songs from the 1970s. Let’s begin with Lou Rawls. “You’ll Never Find Another Love Like Mine” was a big hit in 1976 when my wife Donna and I began dating and I was in my first semester in college where the single was on our jukebox. When I listened to the original flip side “Let’s Fall in Love All Over Again,” I heard such a similarity in Lou’s voice and yours on the opening line.

EH: That song has a jazz feeling to it, and you aren’t far wrong comparing Lou and me. When Lou Rawls’ “You’ll Never Find Another Love Like Mine” played on the radio, many people thought it was me singing the song, so I put it in my show and when I would begin to sing it, wild applause exploded because many audience members thought it was my recording. It became a natural choice for the new album. Just like at your college, I had a jukebox in my home with all these songs on it at the time, and I still have that jukebox.

“When Lou Rawls’ ‘You’ll Never Find Another Love Like Mine’ played on the radio, many people thought it was me singing the song, so I put it in my show and when I would begin to sing it, wild applause exploded because many audience members thought it was my recording. It became a natural choice for the new album.” 

– Engelbert Humperdinck

GM: The album opens with Barry White’s “You’re the First, the Last, My Everything.” The approach you took is so fun and up-tempo.

EH: I thought I would keep it in its original mood but give it another style, making it right for line dancing and it turned out great. All the tracks I recorded for the album were done in Nashville, produced by Jurgen Korduletsch with a country feel, therefore it all fell into place. The video shows couples dancing to it in a honky tonk.

GM: Speaking of Nashville, Nashville’s female background singing team of L.C. Powell, Desiree Gillespie, Eyvonne Williams and Clydene Jackson are great and come through wonderfully on Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes’ “If You Don’t Know Me by Now” along with Charlie McCoy on harmonica.

EH: They did such a good job and as a matter of fact regarding that particular song, I have already introduced it into my show, and it gets a tremendous reaction with audience participation on the chorus. People love to sing. They love a familiar sound but want to know how I will interpret the numbers.

GM: Regarding interpretation, you deleted Gerald Alston’s verbal introduction on The Manhattans’ “Kiss and Say Goodbye,” which I think is a good idea since we already know the initial narration. Gerald told me when I interviewed him in 2019, “The song went platinum because of the story and the feelings projected when singing it.”

EH: You know, I love spoken introductions but there were only people like Barry White and Gerald who could do that sort of thing in the 1970s well (jokingly sharing a brief Barry White ‘oh baby’ imitation). They were good at it, and I am not. I’m a singer, ha-ha.

GM: I am pleased that the electric sitar sound of Mel and Tim’s “Starting All Over Again” was recaptured on your new recording.

EH: I listened to all the original versions of these songs, and it is hard to put your own stamp on music that is already well known but I certainly tried to offer that to the audience.

GM: The Three Degrees’ “When Will I See You Again” is not only fun but you also added a little bit of Maurice Williams’ “Stay” to it.

EH: Yes, I did. Over fifty years ago, I had a long stint in Las Vegas and the backing group were The Three Degrees. I am grateful that I helped give them exposure on stage in a professional place.

GM: I knew most of the songs on the album except two, “Walk Away” and “Take Me Back Again.”

EH: “Take Me Back Again” was written by Rudy Perez from Miami, south of you in Florida. He is a very good songwriter and arranger in the Latin music world. I recorded a version of it in 2010 and I thought I would record it again for this album. “Walk Away” was a mid-1960s hit for Matt Monro. I like the song. It has good content in it which will be good to add on stage when I decide to put it in.

GM: Speaking about the stage, your Cleopatra Entertainment documentary Engelbert Humperdinck: The Legend Continues is coming out. I love in the trailer how your daughter Louise so excitedly says, “Dad, we’re here at The Palace!”

EH: Yes, and I seem shocked about it. I have been there many times. I am a member of the Grand Order of Water Rats, which is a British entertainment industry fraternity and charitable organization based in London. The last time I went was the 125th anniversary of the Water Rats. The queen gave a speech and spoke to me, and I had to bend down a long way to talk with her. She was a little lady and very charming. She was a wonderful person and is very dearly missed. 

GM: In the trailer Gene Simmons said about you, “If the magic connects with the audience, then you’ve got a superstar.”

EH: Isn’t that nice. Gene is a wonderful guy. When I worked with him on my duets album, he made me feel so comfortable. I had never been in the company of people of that rock star magnitude, singing with them before. Then Elton came in afterward and he was also the same. We spent a lot of time just talking and remembering old times. Gene told me, “Just think of us having a party.” As a matter of fact, we look a little bit alike. I know you have spent time with Gene and me both backstage and I look forward to seeing you again on the road as more tour dates get added to my website. Thank you and God bless you.

Following a summer and fall 2023 international film festival run and a Hollywood theatrical premier, Engelbert Humperdinck: The Legend Continues, which takes the viewer to three continents, will be released in time for the holidays on digital platforms worldwide and as a special Blu-ray and DVD package through Cleopatra’s home entertainment film distribution partner, MVD Entertainment.

https://www.goldminemag.com/columns/engelbert-humperdinck-on-new-album-documentary-and-lou-rawls-flip-side

 

BY TINA BENITEZ-EVES American Songwriter June 6, 2023

“It makes the world round,” Engelbert Humperdinck tells American Songwriter from his home in Beverly Hills, California. “Love makes the world go round.” 

Dubbed the “King of Romance,” the subject of love is far from exhausted within Humperdinck’s vocabulary, or catalog, one spanning nearly six decades. “Romance is what starts a love life,” he says. “People love to hear things that relate to their relationship, and my stories are of that nature.” 

Love, it’s been the bedrock of Humperdinck’s career. The subject matter followed albums Release Me, The Last Waltz, A Man Without Love, and his eponymous 1969 release with hits “Winter World of Love” and the Burt Bacharach and Hal David-penned “I’m a Better Man.”

On May 2, 2023, Humperdinck turned 87. Removed from the more sedentary activities of most octogenarians, the balladeer commemorated the day by releasing a new album, a collection of songs centered around the sweetest spot of his career on All About Love.

A collection of 13 R&B and pop classics, on All About Love Humperdinck takes on the Bee Gees’1971 hit “How Can You Mend A Broken Heart,” Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes R&B hit “If You Don’t Know Me By Now,” along with a country-western take on the Barry White classic “You’re The First, The Last, My Everything” — which reached nearly three million views on YouTube since its release in late 2022. All About Love also breaks down Lou Rawls’ 1970s hits “You’ll Never Find Another Love Like Mine” and “When Will I See You Again,” along with Mel & Tim’s “Starting All Over Again” and The Flamingos’ 1959 crooner “I Only Have Eyes For You.”

Restoring more songs of romance, All About Love follows Humperdinck’s 2021 EP, Regards. The latter project featured more soulful renditions of “Let It Be Me,” made famous by The Everly Brothers in 1977, Willie Nelson’s “Funny How Time Slips Away,” and the Louis Armstrong classic, “What A Wonderful World.” It also included his version of Elvis Presley’s “Blue Christmas” — complete with a Texas two-step arrangement — and a more orchestral rendition of Charles Chaplin’s 1936 Modern Times classic, “Smile,” which was also featured on Humperdinck’s 2020 EP Sentiments.

Working around covers, specifically released within the 1960s and 1970s, All About Love was more about connecting to a song for Humperdinck, rather than searching for new standards. “I don’t have any new songs, because it’s very difficult to find that new song that you can turn into a standard of your own,” he says. “Familiar sounds are what people like to hear, and that era — the’60s and 70s — was a very good era for great songs.”

Deeper into All About Love, Humperdinck revisits the 1940 bolero song “Bésame Mucho” with mariachi star Lupita Infante and closes the album with a Spanish-English duet of his 1968 hit “A Man Without Love (Cuando Me Enamoro),” featuring Mexican singer Angelica Maria, who also had a hit with the song in Mexico in the late ’60s.

“Angelica [Maria] agreed to do it with me because my song was a hit in America and all over the world, and hers was a big hit in Mexico, so the collaboration was made sense,” says Humperdinck. “She did it in Spanish and a little bit in English, and I did a little bit in Spanish and a little bit in English.” He laughs, “My Spanish is not too bad.”

“A Man Without Love,” originally written by Italian songwriters Daniele Pace, Mario Panzeri, Roberto Livraghi, peaked at No. 2 on the U.K. charts for Humperdinck and remained on the U.S. charts for more than a year after its release.

Reminiscing on songs further back in his collection, including “There Goes My Everything,” “Am I That Easy to Forget,” “After the Lovin’, and “This Moment in Time,” Humperdinck considers them all timeless. 

“I still sing them in my show, so they really have good standing for me, because they don’t date,” says Humperdinck. “For instance, ‘Quando Quando Quando’ and ‘Spanish Eyes,’ these songs never die. They’re forever things.”

Originally released on A Man Without Love, “Quando Quando Quando” recently appeared in an episode of The Umbrella Academy, while “A Man Without Love” was featured in the 2022 Marvel Studios series Moon Knight. Both songs demonstrate Humperdinck’s cross-generational connections nearly 60 years on.

“I’ve got all generations across the board, in every age group,” he says. “It’s unbelievable. I’ve got fans in their teens.”

To this day, Humperdinck still marvels at stories of people still playing his 1967 No. 1 hit “The Last Waltz” at weddings and other special occasions. “That song is known all over the world,” says Humperdinck. “I was talking to somebody about it from another country, and they said, ‘Your song was played in my dancehall at the end of the night.’ It’s the last song played in dance halls around the world.” 

Humperdinck continues, “It’s totally amazing. I still hear how a song like ‘After the Lovin’ has had so much influence in people’s lives. Last week, someone else said, ‘We got married to After the Lovin.’ It’s beautiful.”

Following the 2021 death of his wife of nearly 60 years, Patricia Healey, who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease for more than a decade, Humperdinck admits that he reads lyrics differently now. 

“Since I’ve lost my darling two years ago, I read lyrics a lot differently now,” shares Humperdinck. “I think there’s more depth and more meaning to it now for some reason or another. It’s just taken a different place in my heart.” 

He adds, “Each and every word becomes more meaningful before you read it as part of the content. Each becomes more meaningful, and you express it in a different way. It’s more heartfelt — not that it wasn’t before — but it’s even more so now.”

Just three years shy of 90, and tour-bound in 2023, with stops in Chile and the Philippines, Humperdinck says he’s not sure what comes next. But there will be something. 

“One never knows what the next project is going to be,” he says. “You just have to wait and something will strike.”

What is certain is the thing Humperdinck has always come back to in the end: love.

“I’m a love songwriter, so most of my songs are to do with love, but I also write poetry,” Humpedinck says. “I’m a poet, so I think writing lyrics comes quite easily for me, but melody’s a little bit more difficult.” 

When it comes to melody, Humperdinck doesn’t hesitate to take advice from his daughter, singer Louise Dorsey — who also voiced the character of Jetta in the 1980s cartoon Jem. “She’s very good at lyrics,” shares Humperdinck. “She’s written many songs on my albums.” 

Though Humperdinck considered canceling his tour following his wife’s death, he continued on. Retirement hasn’t entered his lexicon just yet.

“It’s my job,” he says, “I love walking on stage. I love the feeling that I get — and especially now. I just want to keep singing for as long as I can. To be honest with you, I’ve got nothing. I’ve got no one to come home to, so I’d rather be on the road and sing.”

https://americansongwriter.com/engelbert-humperdinck-never-tires-talking-all-about-love/

 

• British pop legend Engelbert Humperdinck lost his wife Patricia in February 2021

By LISA SEWARDS FOR WEEKEND MAGAZINE THE DAILY MAIL

PUBLISHED: 17:31 EDT, 19 May 2023 | UPDATED: 17:31 EDT, 19 May 2023

 

He's the four-time Grammy-nominated legend who has had thousands of shirts ripped off his back and countless G-strings thrown at him on stage. 

Now Engelbert Humperdinck, the star with the most preposterous name in pop, is desperate to brave his army of adoring fans once again as he goes on tour in the hope of assuaging his grief after Patricia, his beloved wife of 56 years, died in February 2021.

'I'll be honest with you, I'm lonely,' says Engelbert, whose latest album was released on his 87th birthday earlier this month. 

'The only thing I want to do is get back on the road and sing. I want to work as much as I possibly can because I love getting the love from my fans. It gives me the will to live.'

Patricia, who suffered from Alzheimer's for over a decade before she died, was his rock and his soulmate until she succumbed to a cardiac arrest after overcoming Covid. 'You don't realise what you've lost until it's gone,' he says. 

'After losing Patricia I've felt so vulnerable and raw. Your whole thinking changes, your heart changes, your whole world changes. You read lyrics differently. Everything becomes more vivid in your mind and you can portray them in a more sensitive way.

'So in the show I dedicate a song called Everywhere I Go to her that I wrote about 30 years ago, saying I didn't realise a lyric could be so poignant at this point in my life. Although I wrote it so long ago I've put it back in my show because I've dedicated it to my darling, and people love it.'

The new album, called All About Love, is his unique take on some of the greatest love songs of all time, beginning with his first single in a few years – a fresh take on Barry White's 1974 chart-topper You're The First, The Last, My Everything.

Indeed Engelbert, or Enge as he's fondly known, is enjoying a bit of a renaissance right now, with a newly recorded version of West Ham United's football anthem I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles featuring in Brad Pitt's movie Bullet Train, his 1968 hit A Man Without Love going viral with 15.9 million streams on Spotify after appearing in Disney+ superhero drama Moon Knight, and Netflix's comedy fantasy The Umbrella Academy playing Quando, Quando, Quando during a fight scene.

'When I walk on stage even now, the reaction I get is amazing – they still scream,' he beams. 'I've also noticed that younger people have started to discover who Engelbert Humperdinck is, so I see a lot of new faces in the front row. I'll never retire. I just want to keep doing what I do because I love showbusiness.'

It was a chance meeting that led to the love story that spanned 65 years when he and Patricia crossed paths in 1956 at Leicester's Palais De Danse nightclub when she was 17 and he was 20. Back then, Enge went by his plain old birth name of Arnold Dorsey and was fighting to make a name for himself as a singer. 

He was so broke that he refused to marry Patricia until 1964, when he'd made enough money to provide for her and the four children – Louise, Jason, Brad and Scott – that followed.

It was Patricia who bought him a new pair of shoes when she heard that the Isle of Man was hosting a talent contest, and off they went to try his luck. He won the £75 prize and a free holiday. 

'She was so good to me and she made me feel so good,' he recalls wistfully. 'She stood by me all those years. That competition was a great experience. I sang Your Eyes Are The Eyes Of A Woman In Love and I won it. I knew then what I wanted to do.'

But it was a struggle in the early days. Enge was so strapped for cash he ended up sleeping on railway station benches or in freezing cold telephone boxes, unscrewing the light bulb so that passers-by wouldn't see him shivering inside. 'It was a hard life, but I think you learn from the hard knocks. 

One of the worst places I ever slept was a public convenience. When you put a penny in the slot you could stay in there as long as you liked,' he laughs. 'But Patricia stood by me even when I got tuberculosis in 1961, which was life-threatening. I spent six months on my back in hospital, and when I tried to get back into the business I was turned down by so many people.'

It was that brush with death that persuaded him to team up with Tom Jones's manager Gordon Mills, who suggested he change his name from Arnold Dorsey to Engelbert Humperdinck, borrowed from the 19th-century German composer of the same name. In 1967 Enge had his first Number One with Release Me. 

'It happened when I was asked to stand in at the last minute for my friend Dickie Valentine on Sunday Night At The London Palladium and I performed Release Me,' he says. 'It was a turning point I'm truly grateful for. It brought the song to such a huge audience and it spent 56 weeks in the top 50. It even stopped The Beatles from having their 13th Number One.'

He and Patricia were able to move from a tiny flat to a luxurious home in Surrey where John Lennon was a neighbour, before making the move to California. They then brought up their family between their LA mansion and their home in his native Leicester (the late Queen, who he sang for four times, used to call him Leicester Boy), complete with its own pub and a red telephone box.

At his peak he'd have to travel with 150 shirts as frenzied women would tear them off his back every night and throw their underwear at him, but these days he's more muted about that heady time. 'It was a phase and it never used to upset me, it was quite a compliment,' he says.

What hasn't changed is Enge's lustrous locks. 'I've been grey since I was 25, so I decided to colour it to avoid looking old. But at least I've still got hair to colour,' he laughs. 'And I've still got my sideburns too, after starting the fashion in the 60s. Everyone had them – The Beatles and my friend Elvis. I said to him, 'You stole my sideburns!' And he said, 'If it looks good on you then it's going to look good on me!'

Patricia loved sitting behind that 'glorious head of hair' when she rode pillion on his motorbike, and he still rides his Harley-Davidson around the Hollywood Hills. He's pleased to have been able to be by her side for her last years, just as she had been by his. 

After the Alzheimer's diagnosis he tried every kind of treatment, from stem cells to electroacupuncture, and she seemed to be making an astonishing recovery, saying his name again after being unable to speak for three years. 'I really thought she'd come out of it,' he says. 'Then along came the pandemic, which weakened her.'

But Patricia was far from weak. In his 2004 autobiography she confidently wrote her own chapter, which addressed his affairs and what she called 'enough paternity suits to wallpaper a bedroom'. 

She described how, far from being the long-suffering wife, she was not only robust but also took strength from dealing with these situations and encouraging Enge to tell the truth. 'Men are so different and sex doesn't always mean there's any love attached,' she wrote. 

'Men need it. That's why I didn't give two hoots about it, as long as it was sexual. But when it becomes a relationship that's when it becomes hurtful. I always said to myself, if ever he bought a flat or a home for someone then that would be it, because I would know then that the person meant a lot to him.'

Enge only read his wife's chapter after the book was published, and today he says, 'It was hard to read. I haven't read it for a while, but it is important so I think I'll read it again. My wife shot from the hip and told it like it is. I never met anybody as honest and straightforward as her. That's what I loved about her. She didn't pull any punches.

'I was so proud of her for writing that, and it was a release valve for me too. I needed to say a few things. As a matter of fact, I do have more to say, so maybe I'll write another. But for now Patricia would want me to just keep carrying on with the show, because there's no business like showbusiness. I just love it.'

• Engelbert's new album All About Love is out now.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-12090617/Engelbert-Humperdinck-reveals-two-things-given-fresh-live.html

Cleopatra Entertainment Acquires Global Rights to Brand New Documentary Film Engelbert Humperdinck: The Legend Continues

Los Angeles, CA – After their successful 2021 Blu Ray release of Engelbert Humperdinck’s Totally Amazing concert film, Los Angeles-based Cleopatra Entertainment has followed up by acquiring global rights to the brand new and first ever documentary film about the legendary performer entitled Engelbert Humperdinck: The Legend Continues.

With unprecedented access to Engelbert and his close family, friends and business associates, director Steven Murray delivers a documentary shot across three continents at locations close to Humperdinck’s heart which shines an insider’s light on this multitalented, yet humble and unexpectedly humorous musical genius. Engelbert Humperdinck: The Legend Continues offers a unique insight into the world of Humperdinck, including never before seen concert footage and funny, frank and touching narration by Engelbert himself.

Following a summer and fall 2023 international Film Festival run and a Hollywood theatrical premier, the film will be released in time for the Holidays on digital platforms worldwide and also as a special Blu Ray and DVD package through Cleopatra’s home entertainment film distribution partner, MVD Entertainment.

The rights deal was brokered by Cleopatra Founder and CEO Brian Perera, Tim Yasui VP/GM of Cleopatra Entertainment, and by Alan Margulies of AM Productions & Management on behalf of the filmmakers.

Watch Engelbert Humperdinck: The Legend Continues Official Trailer: https://youtu.be/wU1lK4esUIw

About the artist:
Engelbert Humperdinck has been entertaining global audiences for decades, accumulating 64 gold albums, 35 platinum albums and a Golden Globe Award along the way. He continues to maintain an active Tour schedule around the world throughout 2023 and remains committed to recording new music for his fans. For more information about Engelbert Humperdinck, please contact https://www.engelbert.com/

 

https://www.wsmv.com/video/2023/05/17/engelbert-humperdinck-joins-today-nashville/

Los Angeles-based Cleopatra Entertainment has acquired global rights to the documentary film “Engelbert Humperdinck: The Legend Continues.” With unprecedented access to Humperdinck and his close family, friends and business associates, director Steven Murray delivers a documentary shot across three continents, which shines an insider’s light on the renowned musician.

Following a summer and fall 2023 international film festival run and a Hollywood theatrical premiere, the film will be released in time for the holidays on digital platforms worldwide and also as a Blu-ray and DVD package through Cleopatra’s home entertainment film distribution partner, MVD Entertainment.

Watch the trailer here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=23&v=wU1lK4esUIw&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fvariety.com%2F&source_ve_path=Mjg2NjY&feature=emb_logo