“I love a challenge,” says 90-year-old music legend on reinterpreting classic rock ballads by Journey, the Cars, Aerosmith and more.

By Warren Kurtz  August 31, 2026 Goldmine

Britain’s Engelbert Humperdinck debuted in early 1967 at the age of 30 with the Top 5 single “Release Me,” the Top 10 album of the same name, and he has never stopped recording and performing. Now, at the age of 90, Cleopatra Records has released Faithfully, a collection primarily of Humperdinck’s covers of rock ballads from the late ‘60s through the early ‘90s, joined by Rick Wakeman, Jonathan Cain, and more. We have spoken to Humperdinck many times in recent years about his recordings and joined him again this summer to discuss seven songs from his new album.

GOLDMINE: Welcome back for our eighth interview in recent years. You keep on releasing wonderful music including Christmas songs, ‘70s soul covers, and now, your versions of rock ballads. With the title tune, Journey’s “Faithfully,” your storytelling delivery of life on the road is so convincing. I think about you and your wife Patricia, and your children who I have spoken with, Louise and Bradley.

ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK: When we were going through songs for the album, I picked out “Faithfully” for that particular reason. I know that Steve Perry did a great job on the original recording but Arnel Pineda, who is currently in Journey, is quite unbelievable and does an amazing job of it too. I have to congratulate him on his performance. To introduce these songs to my audience, I used “Faithfully” as an example in my show and it went down extremely well. When we were starting this project, I was in Baku, Azerbaijan doing a weeklong music festival for the singer Emin Agalarov. During the daytime, I was listening to all of the tracks to decide which ones to choose trying to block out hearing the festival rehearsals happening below my room. Louise was instrumental in trying to pick out the songs. She knows her dad more than anybody else. With her help, we came up with the conclusion of all the songs on the album.

GM: You mentioned Arnel Pineda not being an original Journey member but doing a great job with the band since 2007. I agree and similarly, I have seen that with KISS. I went to school with my friend Eric Singer, who was a KISS fan, and became KISS’ drummer starting in 1992, so I have been to many KISS shows and have heard the pair of KISS songs you and Louise selected many times before. On your version of “I Was Made for Loving You,” the 1979 peak disco era sound is removed, and the addition of strings is wonderful. You add so much power at the end when you sing, “I can give it all to you.”

EH: I heard the final version of this album in my own little environment. I went into my car, input the CD, and turned up the volume to the level we always listen to music, and I heard one track after another and I was, to use an English expression, gobsmacked. The order that the songs are in is so perfect. I said bravo to the team who put this together, producers Pete Mills and Adam Hamilton, and our mixing engineer Jürgen Engler. Pete was so knowledgeable in guiding me. I enjoy taking directions. I am not an “I know all” person. The arrangements are wonderful.

GM: When I was playing the CD for my wife Donna, she also was complimentary about the arrangements. Then there are the guest musicians. Rick Wakeman’s piano on KISS’ highly successful flip side “Beth” is so classy.

EH: That is so good. Rick did a hell of a job on that song. I am happy to sing these KISS songs that appeal so much to me. I have met Gene Simmons, and he is just a wonderful person.

GM: Donna and I grew up in Cleveland, as did Benjamin Orr of The Cars, who originally sang “Drive.” When you sing the phrases, “hang it up” and “plug their ears,” the Engelbert vocal magic comes through.

EH: Thank you. Some of the lyrics on these songs took me back to growing up, and when you can relate to the lyrics, you can express it better.

GM: What surprised me is that you included a song that I think I missed in 1989, Warrant’s gold single “Heaven.” You sing this so nicely and you even have a touch of country in your voice.

EH: I had the choice of Bryan Adams’ “Heaven” and Warrant’s “Heaven” and Warrant’s song hit me harder, so I chose that one to record. It is a wonderful song and I enjoy it.  

GM: “Always My Love” is a song that I definitely didn’t know and I certainly enjoy.

EH: A guy from The Netherlands named René le Blanc sent me a few of his songs. I told him that they wouldn’t fit on my album of covers but his song “Always My Love” lent itself in style to this particular album. I said, “OK, let’s go for it,” and the people at Cleopatra Records agreed with me on this song that is not known and has never been recorded before.

GM: The full production of “Always My Love” ends the vinyl album so nicely. The CD includes three bonus tracks, beginning with Heart’s big ballad “Alone” with wonderful piano from Jonathan Cain and great guitar from Steve Morse.

EH: I have never sung songs like this before. It was a brand-new project for me and I love a challenge. I decided to try this when the people at Cleopatra Records came up with this brilliant idea and I think it worked. I am looking forward to people’s comments on the album. The audience listening to this album may not believe that it is the voice of a 90-year-old person. It has been nice talking to you one more time. God bless. Thank you.

https://www.goldminemag.com/columns/fabulous-flip-sides/engelbert-humperdinck-talks-surprising-covers-of-kiss-ozzy-and-heart-for-new-album-faithfully/

By Ian Ureta Published Aug 28, 2026 03:57 pm Manila Bulletin

Engelbert Humperdinck may have announced a farewell tour in 2024, but retirement was apparently never in his plans. 

At 90, the legendary British-Indian singer is releasing a new album, "Faithfully" and preparing for another global tour, including a Manila concert in September.

“I was at home for about three months and I was going crazy,” Humperdinck told us in an interview. “So I called up my manager and I said, ‘Listen, there’s no way this is gonna be the last world tour.’”

The singer, whose career spans more than six decades and has reportedly sold over 150 million records worldwide, said he intends to continue performing for as long as his health and voice allow.

“I want to keep going until God calls me,” he said. “As long as I’ve got a voice in my throat and as long as I’m strong and fit and I have a good following, which I do and I’m very happy about that, I wanna keep going.”

His decision to continue comes alongside the release of "Faithfully," out August 28. The 15-track album features reimagined pop and rock classics, as well as the original song “Always My Love.”

For Humperdinck, the album represents another chapter in a career that began nearly six decades ago and made him an international name. “I’ve had a great deal of success with,” he said of his long career. “When I first started, my first record was recognized around the world, so therefore I became a universal name, thank God.”

He credits his continued connection with audiences as another reason he has been able to sustain his career. “I have a great following and I keep in touch with them on a regular basis,” he said, pointing to his weekly social media feature, “Tuesday Museday,” where he updates fans about his work and travels.

That relationship with his audience remains particularly meaningful to Humperdinck, who has frequently performed in Asia. “I come to the Philippines quite a lot and I do enjoy the fact that the Filipino people love music,” he said. “They love music and they love to sing.”

The singer also acknowledged the role of karaoke in keeping his songs familiar to Filipino audiences. “I know that karaoke has been responsible for that,” he said with a laugh. “It’s nice that they all know my songs that I sing.”

According to Humperdinck, Filipino audiences have often sung along with him during his concerts, sometimes loudly enough that he can step back and let them take over. “They all sing my songs with me,” he said. “Sometimes I don’t have to sing. They sing my songs with me.”

Humperdinck also weighed in on the growing use of generative artificial intelligence in music, including AI-generated songs that replicate artists’ voices. 

While he acknowledged that there is little that he can do to stop the technology from developing, he maintained that an imitation cannot replace the original artist. “There’s nothing I can do about AI and the way people produce songs in my voice and try to sell it online,” he said. “You can’t stop what is happening in life. It’s something that you just have to put up with.”

“But there’s nobody like the real thing,” he added with a confident smile.

For now, Humperdinck is focused on the real thing: performing live. He will bring "The Legend Continues – Engelbert Humperdinck: The Celebration Tour 2026" to the New Frontier Theater in Manila on September 25 at 8 p.m. 

The concert is expected to feature some of his best-known songs, including “Release Me,” “Quando Quando Quando,” “The Last Waltz,” and “A Man Without Love.” With a new album and another international tour ahead, Humperdinck appears to have no intention of slowing down. “I wanna stay as young as I possibly can,” he said. “That’s the reason why I’m still in the business, because I try to stay young.”

https://mb.com.ph/2026/08/29/skusta-clee-faces-backlash-after-canceled-paranaque-show

Engelbert Humperdinck has released his highly anticipated new album Faithfully via Cleopatra Records.

Humperdinck brings fresh interpretation and emotional depth to a dynamic collection of blockbuster songs originally made famous by Journey, Ozzy Osbourne, KISS, Aerosmith and more. The album features a newly composed original track 'Always My Love,' adding a very personal touch to the project.

The 15-track release is elevated by an extraordinary lineup of guests including Journey's Jonathan Cain, legendary keyboardist Rick Wakeman (Yes, David Bowie), Grammy Award-winning guitarist Al Di Meola, Canned Heat's Harvey Mandel, Jethro Tull frontman Ian Anderson and acclaimed guitarist Eric Gales. Rich, full orchestral and string arrangements underscore the album's sweeping production, blending classic sophistication with modern rock energy.

With a career defined by timeless hits such as 'Release Me,' 'After the Lovin,' 'Spanish Eyes' and 'The Last Waltz,' Humperdinck has sold over 140 million records worldwide and earned a place among music's most distinguished performers. His ability to transcend generations continues to resonate, making this new release both a celebration of his legacy and a bold step forward. His single 'Beth,' released on August 12th, is a stirring interpretation of the classic rock song by KISS marking Humperdinck's bold new chapter in his career at 90.

In support of the album, Humperdinck is embarking on a global tour, bringing his signature voice and renewed repertoire to audiences across North America, Europe and beyond.

The 'Faithfully' video features a moving storyline of 'faithful' love through the years and an appearance by 'Faithfully' writer Jonathan Cain.

The new album is available on all major streaming platforms, as well as physical formats, including CD and limited-edition vinyl through Cleopatra Records. It can be pre-ordered on CD and vinyl LP, or pre-saved digitally.

The new album is available on all major streaming platforms, as well as physical formats, including CD and limited-edition vinyl through Cleopatra Records. It can be pre-ordered on CD and vinyl LP, or pre-saved digitally.

Tracklist

1. Faithfully feat. Jonathan Cain & Keven Eknes

2. Take My Breath Away feat. Al Di Meola

3. More Than Words feat. Eric Gales

4. Something feat. Carmine Rojas

5. I Was Made For Lovin' You feat. Harvey Mandel

6. Mama, I'm Coming Home

7. Drive

8. Feel Like Makin' Love feat. Ian Anderson & Bob Daisley

9. Heaven feat. Marcus Nand

10. I Don't Want To Miss A Thing feat. Sonny Landreth

11. Beth feat. Rick Wakeman

12. Always My Love feat. Rene Le Blanc

13. Alone feat. Steve Morse & Jonathan Cain [CD ONLY]

14. Can't Get It Out Of My Head feat. Marcus Nand & Jonathan Cain [CD ONLY]

15. I Won't Back Down feat. George Lynch [CD ONLY]

https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwmusic/article/Engelbert-Humperdinck-Releases-New-Album-FAITHFULLY-to-Launch-Global-Tour-20260828

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fixeKKEFuL4&list=RDfixeKKEFuL4&start_radio=1

The King of Romance will release a rock-inspired album called ‘Faithfully’ on Aug. 28

By Rachel DeSantis

  Published on August 27, 2026 01:01PM EDT PEOPLE

NEED TO KNOW

• Engelbert Humperdinck, 90, is releasing a rock-inspired album featuring covers of hits by KISS, Journey and more

• The singer reflects on his evolving artistry, including how personal loss has deepened his connection to song lyrics

• Humperdinck plans to tour through January, embracing his passion for performing and staying active in music

Engelbert Humperdinck may be considered the King of Romance, but at 90 years old, he’s about to enter new territory: rock and roll.

The British balladeer has made his name on hits like “Release Me” and “After the Lovin’,” but his latest album, Faithfully (out Aug. 28), finds the star putting his own spin on enduring rock classics from bands like KISS, Journey, the Beatles and Ozzy Osbourne.

“I said, ‘I’ve never done anything like that before. I’m a ballad singer,’” he tells PEOPLE of his initial reaction when his team approached him with the idea. “[But] when I heard the playback of the album this time, I couldn’t believe that it was me. I’m just grateful [to be] making something different at this stage in my life.”

All of the songs on the record were ones he chose with his songwriter daughter Louise, and the hits include “Beth,” “I Was Made for Lovin’ You” and “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing.”

Humperdinck has long been a fan of rock music, and even started his career with a rock band. “I wasn’t good at it,” he says, hence the romantic ballads.

The decision to pursue softer songs has served the star born Arnold Dorsey well. His 1967 breakthrough hit “Release Me” hit No. 1, and blocked the Beatles from notching their 13th chart-topper. It’s a time he remembers well.

“They were second and this non-entity nobody went to No. 1. And I was a big fan of the Beatles. I thought, ‘My God, me in front of the Beatles?’ I couldn’t believe it,” he says. “It was timing and fate.”

He admits that at 90, he’s a “totally different artist” than he was some four decades earlier; his voice has changed (he thinks for the better) and he interprets lyrics differently, never more so than after losing his wife, Patricia, in February 2021.

He and Patricia, an actress who’d been living with Alzheimer’s before her death, married in 1964 after meeting at a dance hall. He asked a friend to approach her and ask if she’d dance with him, but Patricia wanted to hear from Humperdinck himself. The singer obliged and the rest was history. They welcomed four children together.

“When I lost my wife, it was difficult for me to go on stage after that,” he says. “But I started to read the lyrics a lot differently than I did prior to me losing her. Each time you look at a lyric, you interpret it a lot differently because you feel it a lot more. And that’s what I’ve been doing.”

Humperdinck — who also released the single “I’ve Got You” in April — turned 90 in May, and celebrated with a party held in a big hall. He’s well aware he’s older than he used to be, but is set on making sure age is nothing but a number.

He feels a special connection to Toby Keith’s song “Don’t Let the Old Man In,” so much so that he called Keith up some years ago to ask if he could record his own version.

“He said, ‘Oh my God, fantastic.’ So I recorded it and he sent me a note saying that he liked my version very much,” he says. “And that song is in my show and it depicts what I feel about life. I don’t want to let that older person in.”

Humperdinck has been dyeing his hair since his 20s, when he went prematurely gray, and has no plans to stop.

“I tell everybody that I don’t care. I just don’t want it,” he says. “When you look at gray hair, you feel this. Gray means age. And I just don’t want to put that into my head. So I don’t do that. It’s all a mindset.”

Plastic surgery, though, is off the table, as he enjoys being expressive on stage.

“I guess I just want to grow old. I don’t like the look of facelifts,” he says. “I’m not interested in that. I mean, I take care of myself. I don’t put special creams on my face, but I do take care of myself.”

Humperdinck also credits his kids with giving him a reason to take care of himself in the early years. He shared stages with rockers like Jimi Hendrix, but avoided the same temptations that derailed Hendrix and others in the 1960s and ‘70s.

“When you’re bringing up a young family, you want to be an ideal… not somebody who has gone off the tracks and taking drugs and doing this and that,” he says. “Your kids will follow suit, because they do what parents do. And I decided I’m not that person. I didn’t believe in it. I never liked it. And anybody in my band who ever got involved with it didn’t last in my band.”

For now, Humperdinck remains focused on the future, with the new album and a tour set to begin in Taipei, Taiwan on Sept. 23. He’ll be on the road through January 2027 — and that’s just how he likes it, as he recalls feeling bored beyond belief after taking a work break a few years ago.

“What can I say? I’m still doing what I want to do and keeping up with the times,” he says. “As you can see with the new album, it’s a new venture.”

https://people.com/engelbert-humperdinck-on-new-rock-album-wife-death-plastic-surgery-exclusive-12069579

By Iza Iglesias August 27, 2026 The Manila Times

Engelbert Humperdinck may have spent more than six decades building a career around romantic ballads, but the legendary singer is still challenging himself musically. 

Humperdinck will return to Manila for “The Legend Continues — Engelbert Humperdinck: The Celebration Tour 2026” on Sept. 25 at 8 p.m. at the New Frontier Theater, bringing his timeless hits and new material to Filipino fans. 

In a Zoom interview with Philippine media, Humperdinck said his latest album represents a departure from the sound audiences have long associated with him. 

“I love a challenge, you know, and when the clear path for records was the idea of me doing songs from the ’80s, from all the big band sounds, I thought it was a brilliant idea and it’s something I’ve never done in all the many, many albums that I’ve released,” he said. 

The project, which he described as “a different Engelbert album,” features his interpretations of songs associated with iconic rock and pop performers. Yet Humperdinck said the material remains connected to the theme that has defined much of his career — love.

“It is a different Engelbert. It’s a different idea. And the idea is what makes it different. Me singing songs of Kiss and other artists, I never thought I could do that. But I took the challenge and I took it on and I was able to do it because some of the songs are still about love. They’ve still got the word love in it, love and romance in it,” he said.  

Outside his comfort zone

Working with producer Pete Mills, Humperdinck said he embraced the challenge of recording material outside his traditional repertoire.  

“Nobody expects me to record songs like this. The general public will be so surprised that it comes from a man of my age, to sing songs of that caliber,” he said. 

The singer’s classic recordings, meanwhile, continue to find new audiences. “A Man Without Love,” originally recorded more than five decades ago, gained new attention after appearing in Marvel’s “Moon Knight.”  

“I’m very flattered with it because ‘A Man Without Love’ is a song I recorded over 50 years ago. And then the young people heard it in this TV series. And they come to see my show. They want to know what an Engelbert Humperdinck looks like. And I’ve got a new young following now,” he said.  

For Humperdinck, that cross-generational appeal is among the most rewarding aspects of his career. 

“I think it means that I scored very heavily with the public. For me to get three, four generations to follow me is something very special. And I think that’s what’s given me longevity in this business,” he said.  

Filipino connection

He also spoke about his strong connection with Filipino audiences, who have embraced his songs as karaoke favorites.

“I’m always excited to come to your part of the world because people love my music over there and it seems that I’m very popular with the karaoke machines. Most of my songs are on karaoke,” he said. He also praised Filipinos for their love of music and recalled how audiences would sing along during his Philippine performances.  

“I think the Filipino people are, number one, music lovers. And number two, I’m pleased that they chose me as one of their favorites,” he said. 

Humperdinck has prepared a special surprise for his Manila return: He plans to sing a well-known Filipino song. 

“I hope you’re going to like my version of it,” he said. “I don’t think there’s any feeling better than a live performance. Because the audience feeds you with love and affection. It really charges your batteries. I think it’s the best feeling in the world,” he added. 

As he continues touring and recording, Humperdinck said he refuses to let age define him. “I keep my body fit. I do my exercises. And I try to keep as young as possible.”

https://www.manilatimes.net/2026/08/27/entertainment-lifestyle/show-times/engelbert-humperdinck-brings-new-music-timeless-romance-to-manila-concert/2412467?fbclid=IwY2xjawT8TK5wZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR6oyJl-NO2NeWM65x6_TdSumxvyFGOvaDKX69d2_t2hH0JmeUX5RGWBReKmjQ_aem_AC1wMFmfjWsC_8lpYmStuQ&utm_campaign=mrf-facebook-TheManilaTimes&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&mrfcid=202608266a8f1a1012abbb617a9d350e

Engelbert Humperdinck on His Tom Jones Feud, Elvis’ Ghost & Beating the Beatles

Legendary singer Engelbert Humperdinck joins Raymond Arroyo for a wide-ranging conversation about his extraordinary career, his mysterious falling out with Tom Jones, his friendship with Elvis Presley and the strange night he spent in Elvis’ former Las Vegas suite.

Engelbert also looks back on “Release Me” keeping the Beatles from the top of the charts, his encounters with Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis and Sammy Davis Jr., and the hit songs that nearly became his before going to other legendary performers.

Engelbert opens up about his late wife Patricia, the role faith and prayer played during her battle with Alzheimer’s, and their pilgrimage to Lourdes. Plus, at 90 years old, he reveals how he keeps his voice strong, why retirement didn’t last, his new music, and what keeps him recording and performing around the world.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7x3PYgOQUZQ&list=PLut5g2U9HpBQHVmd5zqk_2m5pyN3H5uOw

The 'King of Romance' is still booking concerts and preparing to release a new album called 'Faithfully'

By Stephanie Nolasco Fox News Published August 15, 2026 12:00pm EDT

At 90, Engelbert Humperdinck has an unusual workout routine he credits with keeping him "alive" and going strong.

The British singer, known as the "King of Romance," recently appeared on "The Jim Masters Show," where he shared his unconventional exercise regimen.

"I walk out in the pool all the day," he told the host. "I do all my martial art moves in the pool underwater, which makes it even more effective. … And that’s how I stay alive and keep going and keep myself as fit as possible so that the audience can see me in a respectable way."

"That's where I work out there in the pool," he said. "I do all my stuff up there, which is great."

And it appears to be working. The "Release Me" singer is still performing regularly, with concert dates scheduled into 2027 abroad. He's also preparing to release a new album, "Faithfully," on Aug. 28. The album features Humperdinck putting his own spin on songs by Journey, the Cars, KISS and Aerosmith, with several guest musicians joining him on the record.

While Humperdinck is working to keep his body young, a decades-old song is helping him reach younger audiences. His 1968 track "A Man Without Love" was featured in two episodes of Marvel Studios' "Moon Knight."

"… Since ‘Man Without Love,’ it’s triggered something off," he said. "And it’s so nice. It’s so nice to know that people are now not worried about an age. They’re worried about the music, and that’s all that counts as far as I’m concerned. But I try to stay as young as possible all the time."

While Humperdinck continues connecting with audiences through the love songs that made him famous, the lyrics have taken on a deeper meaning since his wife, Patricia, died in 2021 after living with Alzheimer's disease and contracting COVID-19. The couple married in 1964 and remained together for 57 years until her death at age 85.

"She’s the backbone. She was the backbone to my whole life, I think, because she started with me when I was nobody. … And so she was instrumental in the early years. And when I really made it in the industry and got a family, I used to have to leave home for about three months at a time. And she raised the children by herself."

While his heartfelt ballads are now bittersweet, Humperdinck still finds joy in performing them for audiences today.

"There's no better feeling. There's no better feeling than walking on stage," he said. "I call myself a thespian of song. So when I'm singing, I act a part. It's not acting really, it's reality coming through. But I give my all and I read the lyrics a little differently now, especially since I lost my wife. And it comes out more sincere."

"I’m a ballad singer, and I love, love singing ballads," he said. "There’s nothing like a good romantic ballad to touch the heart. And it puts people together. ... I feel responsible for putting people together."

When the final curtain eventually falls, Humperdinck hopes those songs will continue bringing people together."My legacy is my music, and music is timeless," he said. "And I listen to the radio and I watch on my phone, and I see the people in the past who have had massive, massive hits, and they're still being viewed by the living. And that's just wonderful. That's the kind of legacy I want to leave behind. I want to leave a good taste in my career behind."

https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/man-without-love-singer-engelbert-humperdinck-credits-underwater-workout-keeping-him-alive-90

By PAUL CASHMERE on AUGUST 15, 2026 Noise 11

Engelbert Humperdinck will release Faithfully, a new album of contemporary interpretations, on August 28, featuring his version of the KISS classic Beth alongside songs by Journey, Aerosmith, Ozzy Osbourne, The Cars and others. 

Engelbert Humperdinck has recorded KISS’s Beth for his forthcoming album Faithfully, giving the 1976 rock ballad a new interpretation shaped by his own experience of spending long hours in recording studios. The album will be released by Cleopatra Records on August 28, 2026, with Beth positioned alongside interpretations of songs by Journey, The Cars, Aerosmith, Ozzy Osbourne and other established rock and pop writers.

The decision to record Beth has a particularly personal connection for Humperdinck. In discussing the song, he recalled hearing it in his office and being immediately drawn to its arrangement and storyline.

“I was very impressed with it with the sound and the arrangement,” Humperdinck said. “It took to my ear and the storyline, of course, appeals to me because being an artist and being in the studio all the time, these lyrics really fall into place.”

For Humperdinck, the central idea of the song reflects an experience familiar to performers. The lyric is written from the perspective of a musician who remains in the studio while a partner waits at home. Humperdinck said that his own career provided a direct connection to that narrative, recalling occasions when his wife would call asking where he was while he was still working on an album.

He has also filmed a video for his version of Beth. The recording predates his friendship with KISS co-founder Gene Simmons, with whom Humperdinck later recorded a duet. Humperdinck described Simmons as “a lovely man” and said he was pleased to record a song with which Simmons is closely associated.

Beth was originally recorded by KISS for Destroyer, released in 1976. The song was written from a demo called Beck, with Peter Criss and Stan Penridge credited as writers and producer Bob Ezrin reshaping the composition for KISS. Ezrin slowed the arrangement and expanded its orchestral character, creating a striking departure from the band’s harder rock material.

The recording featured Criss on lead vocals, with piano, acoustic guitar and orchestral instrumentation providing the musical framework. Members of KISS other than Criss did not perform on the original recording. The orchestral approach helped distinguish Beth from the rest of Destroyer and ultimately contributed to its commercial breakthrough. The song reached No. 7 on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming KISS’s highest-charting US single. It was later certified gold in the United States and received the 1977 People’s Choice Award for Favorite Song.

Its success also changed the trajectory of Destroyer. After initially appearing as the B-side of Detroit Rock City, radio programmers began favouring Beth, leading Casablanca Records to reissue it as the A-side. The unexpected response helped extend the album’s commercial life.

Humperdinck’s Faithfully places that KISS ballad inside a much broader catalogue of contemporary material. The album opens with Journey’s Faithfully, a song Humperdinck first performed for Australian audiences during his 2024 tour. Noise11 reported at the time that the Journey interpretation was part of a forthcoming concept album, with Humperdinck presenting the song during his Australian shows.

The 15-track collection moves across several generations of popular songwriting. Alongside Faithfully and Beth are Take My Breath Away, More Than Words, Something, I Was Made For Lovin’ You, Mama, I’m Coming Home, Drive, Feel Like Makin’ Love, Heaven, I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing, Always My Love, Alone, Can’t Get It Out Of My Head and I Won’t Back Down. The programme also includes one newly composed original song.

The album features a substantial list of guest musicians, including Journey keyboard player Jonathan Cain, keyboardist Rick Wakeman, guitarist Al Di Meola, Canned Heat guitarist Harvey Mandel, Jethro Tull frontman Ian Anderson and guitarist Eric Gales. The production incorporates orchestra and string arrangements, placing Humperdinck’s vocal performances within arrangements considerably different from the rock recordings that originally established many of these songs.

The project continues Humperdinck’s long practice of moving between eras and genres rather than restricting his repertoire to the standards that made him famous. His catalogue includes the early international successes Release Me, The Last Waltz and A Man Without Love, while later projects have explored country material and contemporary songs. Noise11 has previously documented his willingness to introduce newer repertoire into his live performances, including Ed Sheeran’s Thinking Out Loud and Bruce Springsteen’s I’m On Fire.

His connection with Australia has also remained significant throughout his career. In July 2026, Humperdinck returned to Melbourne for a Celebration Tour performance at Hamer Hall at the age of 90. That concert included Faithfully and the newly recorded original I’ve Got You among the newer material in his set.

Faithfully therefore represents another chapter in a recording career that has repeatedly placed Humperdinck’s voice against songs originating outside his traditional repertoire. Beth is particularly suited to that approach because its subject is not tied exclusively to the world of hard rock. At its centre is the familiar tension between a working musician and the person waiting at home, a theme Humperdinck says he understands from decades spent making records.

“I hope that the people listening to it will appreciate the fact that this is an artist’s life really,” he said. “I’ve spent hours and hours and hours in the studio and not being able to come home.”

Faithfully will be released by Cleopatra Records on August 28, 2026. Beth will be accompanied by its own video, offering a visual counterpart to Humperdinck’s interpretation of one of KISS’s most unexpected and enduring songs.

Tracklisting

Faithfully (Journey)
Take My Breath Away (Berlin)
More Than Words (Extreme)
Something (The Beatles)
I Was Made For Lovin’ You (Kiss)
Mama, I’m Coming Home (Ozzy Osbourne)
Drive (The Cars)
Feel Like Makin’ Love
Heaven (Brian Adams)
I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing (Aerosmith)
Beth (Kiss)
Always My Love (PJ and Duncan aka Ant and Dec)
Alone (Heart)
Can’t Get It Out Of My Head (ELO)
I Won’t Back Down (Tom Petty)

https://www.noise11.com/news/engelbert-humperdinck-faithfully-beth-kiss-20260815