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The Man He Wants to Be: Engelbert Humperdinck Talks Music, Longevity and Family

October 12, 2018

  • Nicole S. Colson / ELF, Sentinel Source - October 12, 2018

Engelbert Humperdinck became a singing sensation at the same time as The Beatles.

Born Arnold George Dorsey, the 82-year-old can look back on a career spanning almost 50 years and yielding sales of 140 million records, including 64 gold albums and 23 platinum, four Grammy nominations, a Golden Globe and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame He has performed for the Queen of England four times and many heads of state. He has recorded everything from the most romantic ballads to movie theme songs, disco, rock and gospel.

He’s far from slowing down. He released an album of original material and covers this year and his first Christmas album in 40 years is next.

Not to mention his full touring schedule of shows around the world which started this year and continues into 2019. He’ll make a stop along his “The Man I Want to Be” tour at Keene’s Colonial Theatre for a performance Thursday, Oct. 18.

ELF magazine conducted a written interview with him as he kicked off the tour this week.

ELF: I read you never wanted to be a singer. What did you want to be?

EH: I wanted to be SOMEBODY.

And when I was in the forces in Germany, listening to the American radio station with the likes of Dean and Jerry or the Dorsey Brothers’ big band sounds or Nat King Cole, it just ignited a glow for show business. I played sax until I found my voice and added humor and other people’s hits until I was lucky enough to have my own.

ELF: What do you think of the title people have given you of “ageless sex symbol?”

I’d love to join the ranks of Timeless Romantics. We just lost Charles Aznavour. He was definitely a timeless romantic. It doesn’t have the same splash, but I think It’s a bit more, well, romantic.

ELF: Your latest album is titled “The Man I Want To Be.” When did you decide you wanted to make an album that would essentially be a love letter to your wife, Patricia?

EH: I wish that I had collaborated with someone years ago to pen a special song that everyone knew was for her. I think about the stadium days, and how it would have been to hear the audience all sing a song that resonated with not only Popea (my nickname for my wife) but with everyone else.

I’ve written poetry about her but it’s not quite the same as having everyone know your name by song or melody.

ELF: How did you go about choosing the songs for this album? I see songs by some contemporary artists like Bruno Mars and Ed Sheeran are included alongside classic songs and original material.

EH: This album came about organically with songs that just fell into place. The only duet was sung by my granddaughter Olivia and written by my daughter, her partner and their best friend, who all love my wife dearly, so the writing process came easily.

Bruno Mars (“Just the Way You Are”) was a story outside of the story of the song and when presented by the producer in a slower fashion it fit perfectly. I brag on Bruno all the time, not because I met him in Hawaii when he was 5 when he performed and dressed like Elvis and I knew he was heading for the solar system, but because he is just totally amazing and made his dreams come true with such determination and creativity.

All his music has so much life and variety. Back in the ‘70s, especially we artists stole each other’s songs all the time. Great writers deserve kudos for writing gems that become cover tunes.

ELF: I know your Christmas album is coming out. What’s next for you?

EH: Ha. Well it’s not even Halloween yet so I think I’ll sit in the Christmas glow for the next few months first, but my tour dates are really packed right now. I have a television special coming out in December filmed in Hawaii during the threat of a Category 5 hurricane. Now there is a story I’ll be telling long after the show airs.

It all adds to the story. I’ve been lucky to have so many years of amazing stories.

ELF: You have an enviable long career – you’ve befriended Elvis, performed for the Queen, made platinum albums, you’re going out on tour. What are dreams of yours you’ve yet to fulfill?

EH: Seeing a cure for Alzheimer’s. When I think that our family is only one story walking through this nightmare and what we have gone through, it breaks my heart at the sadness and angst this is bringing to so many (Humperdinck’s wife has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s). We have been at least 10 years on this slippery slope and winding road... and in the early days you just never knew what tomorrow would bring.

I want to see answers for our tomorrows. We have travelled far and wide to seek hope and healing. We have several ideas in the works for more Alzheimer’s fundraisers, including a song called “Angel on my Shoulder,” so watch out for it.

ELF: You’ve enjoyed a 50-year career and you’re still recording and performing and making music. What do you think are the keys to your longevity in this business, and how do you believe you continue attracting new legions of fans?

EH: Loyal fan following and social media has made a big impact. The original fans are now three or more generations into being “EH spark plugs,” which is my nickname for those who supported my music.

I love connecting through social media. “Tuesday Museday” videos go up every week. I just do a shout out to the fans on Facebook via video and muse about everything from poetry, working out and how I’ve persevered to lose 30 lbs., to how to make an “Engelboot” out of a restaurant serviette.

I can’t answer all the replies, but they are so great, and it feels like we are a huge gang of old friends, so I will use my travel time to read and reply. I can be my own PR guy and control content when I’m able but I’m grateful there are folks like yourself still asking the questions and putting me out there.

Engelbert Humperdinck performs Thursday, Oct. 18, at 7:30 p.m. at The Colonial Theatre, 95 Main St., Keene. Tickets are $59-$89 and can be ordered by calling 352-2033 or at thecolonial.org.

https://www.sentinelsource.com/elf/the-man-he-wants-to-be-engelbert-humperdinck-talks-music/article_81b47890-ce3f-11e8-a9f5-bb2aa5360608.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