What’s on in Cape Town

As winter casts its chill over South Africa, the warmth of legendary British crooner Engelbert Humperdinck’s voice is set to heat Cape Town on Sunday, 14 July 2024.  The iconic performer is bringing his ‘The Last Waltz’ Farewell Tour to South Africa this July, promising fans an unforgettable experience.

In a delightful interview with Amelia Hayes, Engelbert, as he prefers to be called, shares his journey, his memories and what fans can expect from his final tour.

The birth of Engelbert Humperdinck

Before he became Engelbert Humperdinck, the singer was known as Gerry Dorsey. His career began in small clubs, where if you didn’t have a hit song, you would have to do more than just sing to captivate your audience. “I couldn’t play an instrument so I did impressions, including a very good one of Jerry Lewis, which led my friends to suggest the stage name Gerry,” he recalls.

However, after battling a long bout of tuberculosis, he found it difficult to re-launch his career. His agent at the time, Gordon Mills, suggested a name change that would alter the course of his life forever.  “Gordon took a song I had written, ‘Stay,’ to Decca Records, initially under Gerry Dorsey, but it didn’t make an impression. So he changed the name on the record and took it back to another executive at Decca and I was signed on the spot under Engelbert Humperdinck!” he reminisces.

“No one calls me by my original name – even my family went along with the change to maintain the persona.” He fondly recalls people making fun of the name too.  Dean Martin, who became a good friend, would call him ‘Humpy Bumpy Lumpy Dumpy’.   

With 300 fan clubs around the world, his most ardent fans also came up with some creative variations of this name, referring to themselves as ‘Humperdinckers’ and ‘Dinglehoppers’, but despite the jokes, the unusual name was to turn into a romantic image, which thrilled him.

Legendary hits

Engelbert’s career skyrocketed with the launching of ‘Release Me’ in 1967, a song that kept The Beatles off the top spot in the UK singles’ charts.  ” The song came out at about the same time the Beatles released ‘Penny Lane and ‘Strawberry Field’but the record sat on the shelf for three months without much success. Then, I got a last-minute spot on ‘Sunday Night at the London Palladium.’  The next day, record sales soared and the album went on to sell over a million copies,” he says, taking us back to this era.  “I did actually meet Ringo and Paul later—who were most gracious despite me keeping them from their 13th number one hit,” he remembers, with a twinkle in his eye.

In 2022, Engelbert Humperdinck’s 1968 smash hit “A Man Without Love” won over legions of new fans thanks to its appearance in a Marvel Cinematic Universe series called Moon Knight. “It was thrilling to see a song from 50 years ago make a comeback with younger audiences and hit number one again!” he exclaims.

Collaborations and duets

Engelbert has performed with many greats over the years. When asked about his dream collaboration, he found it difficult to pick just one. “I love collaborating with other artists – it keeps you inspired!  I have had the privilege of working with some incredible people like Dionne Warwick, Willie Nelson, Jean Simmons from KISS, Johnny Mathis, Charles Aznavour, the lovely Olivia Newton-John, Lulu, Winona Judd, Kenny Rogers and many, many more.”   

“Right now,” he adds, “Lady Gaga would be a dream duet.  I admire her talent and musicianship immensely.  She did wonderful things with Tony Bennett and she’s definitely one person I would like to collaborate with, if it were possible.  My door is open, let’s put it that way.”

The magic of Las Vegas

In the 1970s, Engelbert was a mainstay in Las Vegas, the entertainment capital of the world, as he describes it, and an amazing place to work.  “Seeing my name in neon lights for the first time was breathtaking,” he says. ” My suite at the Riviera Hotel faced the Marquee where other greats of that era had stood proud; Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. and now it was my turn.  As I saw those letters go up one at a time it hit me that I had arrived.”

Today, he continues to incorporate elements from those Vegas shows into his performances, delighting audiences with classic hits – the music they want to hear –  like ‘The Last Waltz’, ‘Release Me’, ‘A Man Without Love’ and a song he penned over 30 years ago for his wife, the words to which are still so poignant, that he always includes them, keeping the promise he made to her.

Memorable encounters

Among the countless celebrities and legendary figures with which Engelbert has met and garnered friendships, one interaction stands out: a compliment to Jimi Hendrix on his signature jacket. “Jimi offered it to me, right then and there – but I didn’t take it – a mistake in hindsight!” he laughs.

“Many of my good friends, like Elvis, Sammy and Dean Martin, are in heaven now, but I’ll always cherish being a part of their lives and hold those memories and experiences dear.”

Staying grounded on tour

Engelbert’s extensive touring has led to some unique rituals. “I am a believer, and  always set up a small altar in my dressing room with various saints, idols, and holy water. It’s a ritual that has kept me going and keeps me grounded, and one I will continue until God calls me.”

Reflecting on achievements

With over 150 million records sold worldwide, Engelbert finds it hard to pinpoint his most significant achievement. “I have had a lot of wonderful things happen in my life – too many to count or pick just one.  Back then, you had to sell a million albums to go Gold and over a million to go Platinum so I am especially proud of the many awards and achievements I have amassed and that hold pride of place in my home.   It makes all the hard work tangible,” he reflects.

Advice for aspiring artists

“My advice to aspiring artists is to get involved in all aspects of show business. Write your own material so you can show your range as an artist, and earn residuals rather than just royalties from covering other people’s songs.  And always be ready to seize opportunities,” suggests Engelbert Humperdinck.

Looking forward to South African fans

In the midst of his ‘The Last Waltz’ Farewell Tour, Engelbert remains enthusiastic about performing. “I’ve just come off sell-out shows in Australia. It’s wonderful to know people still love my music. I’ve been in the business for 58 years and I’m not tired of it;  I love doing it! So, is this my ‘Last Waltz’…? We shall have to wait and see,” he says with a hint of a smile.

He expresses his excitement at being in South Africa again: “I’ve always loved visiting South Africa, though I’ve only been here in the warmer months – this time I’ll get to experience a different side of your beautiful country and hopefully get to explore a bit more if time permits.”

Engelbert Humperdinck will be performing on Friday, 12 July at the SunBet Arena, Time Square Casino in Pretoria, and at the Grand Arena, GrandWest in Cape Town, on Sunday, 14 July and tickets are available through Webtickets.  Fans are in for an unforgettable experience if the rave reviews from his sold-out shows in Australia are anything to go by.

Safe travels, Mr Humperdinck, and don’t forget your sweater!

How to book tickets to the Cape Town show

The Cape Town leg of his ‘Last Waltz’ tour (which follows a performance in Pretoria) takes place on Sunday, 14 July 2024, at 4pm at GrandWest Casino’s Grand Arena, a venue known for hosting numerous international stars and providing great food, amenities, and state-of-the-art sound.

Cost: R495pp – R1495pp. Book through Webtickets

When: Sunday, 14 July at 4pm
Where: Grand Arena, GrandWest Casino & Entertainment World, 1 Jakes Gerwel Dr, Goodwood, Cape Town

https://whatsonincapetown.com/interview-with-engelbert-humperdinck/?fbclid=IwY2xjawDxTTZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHegAmPFfLai2H13OWpdjWOpCFaG6dZPecTwbN6wB3GSvJlfWrMSVb2fiWw_aem_b3EaGZ4Yy4hwTiz2AhjMkg

His tour starts there later this year

28 June 2024 Author: Anna Sky Magliola HelloRayo.UK

Engelbert Humperdinck joined Jackie Brambles on Greatest Hits Radio to talk about his upcoming tour, and why the London Palladium holds a special place in his heart.

The singer joined us from his home in Los Angeles, but he grew up in the UK, and spoke about his first performance at the London Palladium, and why he'll be starting his new tour there.

"I want to tell you, it's the one place that started my life," he explained. "So I owe that place a great deal, and the memories of it were just wonderful, because after my first hit at the London Palladium, that's what gave me the hit actually, that particular show. Because ‘Release Me’ was sitting on the shelf for three months prior to me doing that particular show."

He went on to explain they didn't think it would be a hit, continuing: "Jukebox Jury voted it a mess and god was on my side and I got that show and the very next day its sold 80,000 / 90,000 a day and like that, it kept doing that each day for about six weeks. 

"And it just stayed in the chart, went to Number 1 in the charts and stopped The Beatles from having the 13th Number 1, this unknown person from Leicester, and it was just an amazing time in my life, you know."

He ended: "It was a life-changing appearance."

The singer, who will be embarking on his 'The Last Waltz Farewell Tour' this September, admitted it doesn't mean he is going to retire.

Englebert explained the reason behind its name: "Who knows? I mean, it's the title of one of my songs, you know, one of our BIG songs that went around the world... People do the last tour and it can go on for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 years, you know." 

He continued: "I do just keep going and that's the best way to go in fact. I believe in keeping your body healthy and doing the things that you do and that you love to do and that of course for me it's just singing."

When is Engelbert Humperdinck on tour in the UK?

Engelbert Humperdinck will be playing four dates in the UK, the full list of dates are below.

September 2024

London, Palladium - Sun 8th

Manchester, Opera House - Mon 9th

Birmingham, Symphony Hall - Tue 10th

Glasgow, Royal Concert Hall - Thu 12th

https://hellorayo.co.uk/greatest-hits/entertainment/music/engelbert-humperdinck-london-palladium/

Engelbert Humperdinck, his live band and international touring production team will visit South Africa, starting with the SunBet Arena at Time Square Casino in Pretoria on Friday, 12 July 2024, at 8pm, tickets are selling fast and on sale through Webtickets.co.za.

Pretoria Rekord June 25, 2024

Footsteps of a Legend #1 : “4 shilling and frozen fingers”!

It is 1947, in Leicester, England. From the Dorsey household, packed with 10 siblings, we hear the notes of an 11 year old boy, playing ‘My Blue Heaven’. Just an hour ago, a young Arnold Dorsey had received his first ever saxophone from his Dad. Not even the dented bell on the instrument could stop his enthusiasm.

For the next four years he delivered the morning paper, earning 4 shillings per week – the precise amount Mr.Parker asked for a saxophone lesson. To keep his fingers protected against the cold, knowing he could not play the keys with frozen fingers, he strapped his saxophone around his chest, to be able to keep his hands in his pockets.

Nevertheless, he still arrived at Mr.Parker’s house, with icy, chilled fingers. The teacher would warm him up first, in front of the fireplace, before commencing the lesson. And this, was the humble beginning of a legend who would become known to us, as Engelbert Humperdinck.

Footsteps of a Legend #2 : “Sheffield, The Milk Train and Telephone Boxes”!

November 1956, Arnold Dorsey was walking down a muddy road in Leicester, in a white suit, carrying a special girl With his saxophone and voice, he could lift an entire army off their seats. Music had its claws properly stuck in him, which drove him to Sheffield every weekend. After a long week’s work at Cannon & Stokes’ engineering factory, he would do 3 shows on Saturday evenings, 3 on Sunday afternoons and end with another 3 on Sunday evening.

With his saxophone and voice, he could lift an entire army off their seats. Music had its claws properly stuck in him, which drove him to Sheffield every weekend. After a long week’s work at Cannon & Stokes’ engineering factory, he would do 3 shows on Saturday evenings, 3 on Sunday afternoons and end with another 3 on Sunday evening.

If he had enough money, he got lodging on Saturday nights, but mostly he could not afford it. He slept on railway-station benches and in telephone boxes. On Monday, at the crack of dawn, he would catch the milk train back to Leicester and start his work week all over again, all for the moment he got to see Sheffield again.

And the girl on his shoulders stayed with him through it all, to become the love of his life. She played an integral role in keeping her man on the right path… the path that lead to being Engelbert Humperdinck. Although she is not with us anymore, she left behind decades of footsteps shared with a legend, Engelbert Humperdinck!

Footsteps of a Legend #3 : “A cup of tea for Mr.Bland”!

A few years along in the footsteps of our legend, we find him married to the love of his life, Patricia, or Popea as he called her. They were living in a flat above a furniture shop, with their first baby, Louise. It was humble and innocent, in the sense of a father doing everything he can to care for his family, but somedays it was not enough for the world out there – like the world of a tax man…

Mr.Bland came knocking on the Dorsey’s door regularly. The couple really did not have the means to pay. Instead of dodging the doorbell, they invited him inside for a cup of tea, for three consecutive years. At the end, the man who made it as Engelbert Humperdinck, with Release Me, was able to pay all the taxes he owed to Mr.Bland.

In the same year Mr.Bland retired with these final words to Gerry Dorsey/Engelbert Humperdinck ,”if there is anyone I’d work for , it would be you.” Nothing meant more to Mr.Bland than the honesty he saw in Engelbert and his wife Popea. That is the show of character that not only earned the admiration of a taxman, but of everyone who ever crosses paths with the legend of Engelbert.

Footsteps of a Legend #4 : “Release me…. the soundtrack that changed life”!

It was the beginning of 1967. ‘Release Me’ had just been released, but had not taken off yet. Gerry Dorsey, now dubbed Engelbert Humperdinck by his manager, Gordon Mills, was sitting restlessly at home, staring at his shoes full of holes in the soles. His friend Tony, had made him paper insoles from Woolworth shopping bags, and even varnished the bottoms.

That was the moment everyhing changed. The phone rang. They urgently needed a replacement for Dickie Valentine, on the show Sunday Night at the Palladium. Life would never be the same again. Engelbert performed ‘Release Me’, and the very next day his records started flying off the shelf, at 80 000 units per day.

He had to rapidly borrow furniture from the shop above which he lived, for the journalists who swarmed his apartment for interviews. Saying ‘yes’ to The Palladium that night, changed the soundtrack of all our lives and we have never been more grateful, Sir !

Footsteps of a Legend #5 : “A Man for all the Nations”!

Late in 1969, Engelbert Humperdinck embarked on his first South African trip. He agreed he wanted to play his music to ALL the cultures of South Africa. This was a pioneering decision in the times of the 60’s.

Upon arrival at Johannesburg airport, he was very surprised that the crowd of Zulu warriors who were gathered on the tarmac, were there to welcome him. The chief of the Zulu tribe greeted him, and a ritual dance followed that made Engelbert feel the rhythm in the ground underneath his feet.

He was then gifted a shield and spear and joined them in some of their dancing movements. This is one of many reasons why South Africans are excited to see Engelbert Humperdinck this July… not only because he is the king of romance, but because he is the man who brings nations together !

Footsteps of a Legend #6 : “Singing to the Soul of Soweto”!

On the first opening night of his 1969 South African tour, Engelbert Humperdinck played at the Presidential Theatre, but afterwards jumped in a car and travelled to Soweto. The first time a British singer dared to do this.

The British Embassy in South Africa never thought it to be a good idea. The crowd at The Look Shirama in Soweto were so extremely overexcited to get into the venue, that their collective body weight turned over one of Engelbert’s empty cars. Many other crowds were not so happy with him for his decision to play to all the cultures, accusing him of interfering with the country’s politics, but he just kept repeating “We’re only here to entertain people,” and went on to perform in Port Elizabeth, as well as Cape Town.

In the Wynberg area of Cape Town, he also performed at The Luxurama Theatre, a pioneer in its own right, who only segregated their audiences by 1967, after force from the government. But nothing could stop Engelbert from spreading his music across all boundaries. Keep reading in our next section to hear how he took the limousine into a village to enjoy a local man’s curry.

Footsteps of a Legend #7 : “Curry in an African Village”!

There was a night during his South African tour of 1969, that Engelbert gave a tip of 10 pounds to the man who was cooking for him in his suite at his hotel.

The cook’s colleagues took the tip away from him later, with violence. The cook then asked Engelbert the next day to not give him any more tips and explained why. An astonished Engelbert asked what he could do to make up for it. The cook asked him with a big smile if he could come to his house in the village on Sunday, for dinner. Engelbert agreed….

That Sunday he set out with his road manager, Tony, and a nervous driver, in a limousine, heading for the village. They drove through a swarming community of terrifyingly excited people, arriving at a small house, in the shape of a thimble. They ate the special curry the cook had made for them, while mayhem continued outside.

Engelbert Humperdinck was the first British man ever to visit that particular area, which explains why he at times felt that the crowd would make his cook’s house tumble in. One can’t help but make the ties to the sense of service that Engelbert was raised in. A true soldier of the British nation, always ready to shake hands with every single civilian. A legend, but with his feet firmly planted in the African soil.

It is a testimony and the reason why Mr. Humperdinck is so immensely loved in South Africa.

Engelbert Humperdinck, his live band and international touring production team will visit two prestigious venues in South Africa, starting with the SunBet Arena at Time Square Casino in Pretoria on Friday, 12 July 2024, at 8pm, followed by a performance at the Grand Arena at GrandWest in Cape Town on Sunday, 14 July 2024, at 4pm – tickets are selling fast and on sale through Webtickets.co.za.

https://www.citizen.co.za/rekord/news-headlines/2024/06/25/great-stories-to-know-about-engelbert-humperdinck/ 

by PAUL CASHMERE on JUNE 19, 2024 Noise 11

Two of Engelbert Humperdinck’s earliest classics, the first album ‘Release Me’ (1967) and his third album ‘A Man Without Love’ (1968) have been remastered and will be rereleased on 19 July 2024.

‘Release Me’ the album also featured ‘Release Me’ the single, Engelbert Humperdinck’s very first hit. The song reached no 1 in the UK, no 3 in Australia and no 4 in the USA, establishing Engelbert as one of the biggest stars of 1967.

Tracklist:
A-Side:
1. Release Me
2. Quiet Nights
3. Yours Until Tomorrow
4. There’s A Kind Of Hush
5. This Is My Song
6. Misty Blue

B-Side:
1. Take My Heart
2. How Near Is Love
3. Walk Through This World
4. If I Were You
5. Talking Love
6. My World
7. Ten Guitars

‘A Man Without Love’, the title track of the ‘A Man Without Love’ album, was also a massive global hit reaching no 2 in the UK, no 5 in Australia and no 19 in the USA. 

The song has a recent resurgence when it was used in the hit Disney+ TV series ‘Moon Knight’.

Tracklist:
A-Side:
A Man Without Love
Can’t Take My Eyes Off You
From Here To Eternity
Spanish Eyes
A Man And A Woman
Quando Quando Quando

B-Side:
Up Up And Away
Wonderland By Night
What A Wonderful World
Call On Me
By The Time I Get To Phoenix
The Shadow Of Your Smile

Engelbert Humperdinck released 12 albums on Decca Records between 1967 and 1973. 

Pre-orders of the first two Engelbert remasters are at the Decca website.

https://www.noise11.com/news/classic-engelbert-humperdinck-to-be-remastered-and-reissued-20240619

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https://galaxycon.com/blogs/events/engelbert-humperdinck

The iconic Engelbert Humperdinck has announced reissues of two of his most iconic albums as part of a major reissue campaign by Decca Records exploring the music legend’s back catalogue.

The remastered reissues of ‘Release Me’ and ‘ A Man Without Love’ will be released on 19th July on Decca Records and available on CD, coloured LP, and digitally.

The releases coincide with a handful of UK concert dates including The London Palladium (September 8), Manchester Opera House (September 9), Birmingham Symphony Hall (September 10) and Glasgow Royal Concert Hall (September 12) as part of his huge ‘The Last Waltz Farewell Tour 2024’.

Engelbert has also released brand new lyric videos for Release Me and Can’t Take My Eyes Off You  available to watch now.

The album ‘Release Me’, originally released in 1967, catapulted Engelbert into superstardom. Featuring Engelbert’s trademark debut No.1 song ‘Release Me’, written in the 1940’s by Eddie Miller, the song kept The Beatles’ ‘Penny Lane’ / ‘Strawberry Fields’ from the top spot.

The ‘Release Me’ album made No.6 on the UK charts, and stayed on the best-sellers list for over a year, selling in very large numbers, making Engelbert the biggest-selling artist of 1967, making him the real soundtrack to the Summer of Love.

Released in 1968 and reaching No.3 in the UK charts, remaining in them for 45 weeks, ‘A Man Without Love’ compounded Engelbert’s reach as an international superstar, with its title-track being a Top 20 single in the UK.

In an incredible career that has spanned over 60 years, Engelbert Humperdinck has sold over 140 million records worldwide, with songs ranging from the most romantic ballads to movie theme songs, disco, rock, and even gospel.

These records have earned 64 gold and 35 platinum albums, four Grammy Award nominations, a Golden Globe, and his own star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame.

The following decades saw Engelbert constantly touring the world to sell-out crowds. He takes great pleasure in every moment on stage. His 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 was awarded the Honour of Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) by Her Majesty the Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2021.

Engelbert Humperdinck Confirms Last Australian Tour Is Not His Last Australian Tour

by PAUL CASHMERE on JUNE 6, 2024  NEWS11.com

While Engelbert Humperdinck’s current tour was billed ‘The Last Waltz Farewell Tour’ the 88-year old entertainment says the last Australian tour was not his last Australian tour. In fact, quoting the lyrics of his classic song “The last waltz will last forever”.

Engelbert posted a video to Facebook in which he confirms he will tour Australia again. “I’m just from my Last Waltz tour of Australia. It was the beginning of my Last Waltz tour and everything was superb.  The audiences were delightful and I had wonderful comments from the critics of the show. It was just great to read such a wonderful response from my Australian fans indeed. 

“I look forward to coming back. It may be my Last Waltz tour but “the last waltz will last forever”. You know what I’m saying? I just can’t wait to get back”.

Engelbert Humperdinck has a major touring schedule ahead of him for 2024. There are 50 more dates to go before the end of the year with Engelbert travelling to South Africa, Europe and North America.

There is also another album on the way, a concept album he said during his recent Australian shows. He was performing a song from the album, a cover of Journey’s ‘Faithfully’.

Engelbert’s next show in June 11 in New Jersey.

https://www.noise11.com/news/engelbert-humperdinck-confirms-last-australian-tour-is-not-his-last-australian-tour-20240606

News24.com

• British musical legend Engelbert Humperdinck's ‘The Last Waltz’ Farewell Tour’ to Cape Town and Gauteng in July

• With a career spanning over six decades, he has sold over 150 million records worldwide and received numerous awards, including four Grammy nominations and a Golden Globe.

• Humperdinck is known for songs like Quando, Quando, Quando and A Man Without Love.

Engelbert Humperdinck, born Gerry Dorsey, rose to international fame in 1965, enchanting listeners with his romantic melodies. With hits like 'Release Me’, ‘A Man Without Love’ and 'The Last Waltz’, he has sold over 150 million records worldwide and received numerous accolades, including four Grammy nominations, a Golden Globe for Entertainer of the Year, and he is one of only a handful of artists with a star on both the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Las Vegas Walk of Fame.

His story started in 1947, in Leicester, England. From the Dorsey household, packed with 10 siblings, we hear the notes of an 11-year-old boy, playing 'My Blue Heaven'. Just an hour ago, a young Arnold Dorsey had received his first ever saxophone from his Dad. Not even the dented bell on the instrument could stop his enthusiasm. 

For the next four years he delivered the morning paper, earning 4 shillings per week - the precise amount Mr.Parker asked for a saxophone lesson. To keep his fingers protected against the cold, knowing he could not play the keys with frozen fingers, he strapped his saxophone around his chest, to be able to keep his hands in his pockets. 

Nevertheless, he still arrived at Mr.Parker's house, with icy, chilled fingers. The teacher would warm him up first, in front of the fireplace, before commencing the lesson. And this, was the humble beginning of a legend who would become known to us, as Engelbert Humperdinck.

Don't miss the chance to witness a music icon bid farewell to the stage, in style. Audiences can expect an unforgettable evening of timeless classics and heartfelt performances as Engelbert Humperdinck takes them on a journey through his remarkable musical legacy. 

• The tour will visit two prestigious venues in South Africa, starting with the SunBet Arena at Time Square Casino in Pretoria on Friday, 12 July 2024, at 8 pm, followed by a performance at the Grand Arena at Grand West Casino in Cape Town on Sunday, 14 July 2024, at 4 pm, and tickets are on sale now through Webtickets.co.za. Concerts in the UK and Australia were sold out in a matter of days so be sure to book yours quickly.  

https://www.news24.com/news24/community-newspaper/peoples-post/sponsored-engelbert-humperdinck-the-birth-of-a-legend-20240604

Live Review: Engelbert Humperdinck @ Hamer Hall

27 May 2024 | 12:17 pm | Christie Eliezer TheMusic.com AU

The show was a masterclass in stagecraft, turning a large theatre into a small living room that touched each of the 2,500 people in Hamer Hall. 

Engelbert Humperdinck said farewell to Australia with eight sell-out shows made up of original ‘60s fans and younger fans of romantic pop.

He made a career out of deep-voiced love songs and matinee looks, his early songs diving into versions of country and Italo-pop where the most emotional stories lay. 

On his 2017 album The Man I Want To Be, he mined similar newer romantic songs by Bruno Mars and Ed Sheeran. The title track sent a powerful message of where he was at the time as an 81-year-old —looking at the highs and lows of his life and still enthusiastically looking to make changes.

The farewell show started with that sentiment, with Funny How Time Slips Away (“I gotta go now” goes one line) and Am I That Easy To Forget, before moving to familiar ground as A Man Without Love and early b-side Ten Guitars.

Another message to his audience about positively dealing with advancing age came with his choice of US country singer Toby Keith’s Don’t Let The Old Man In. Keith wrote the song after meeting actor-director Clint Eastwood at a charity golf tournament in California in 2018.

He told Eastwood he was surprised at how much energy the 88-year-old (he was filming The Mule at the time), and Eastwood responded, "Toby, I don't let the old man in". 

The voice was still velvety even at 88, and there were tried-and-true tricks, such as removing his jacket to shrieks, wolf whistles, and wink-wink good-natured humour that sometimes bordered on the bawdy.

Fronting a cracking band, the first high came with the jaunty Quando, Quando, Quando, the uptempo early ‘60s Italo-pop, followed by Simply Red’s If You Don’t Know Me By Now.

His tribute to his late wife Patricia, Everywhere I Go, for which he explained,  "I promised I would sing this everywhere I go,” visibly struck a chord. The upcoming cover of Journey’s piano ballad Faithfully could easily be the song’s bookend.

Spanish Eyes and The Last Waltz followed and peaked with Release Me. Trivia on the latter: Jimmy Page played on the studio version, and it kept The Beatles’ Strawberry Fields Forever / Penny Lane off the top spot in the UK in 1967.

Through How Do You Keep The Music Playing and Kris Kristofferson’s For The Good Times, the Hump said farewell. After a stage exit, he returned in a red Versace dressing gown and gold cuffs and threw red hankies to the crowd. Neither the crowd nor the star wanted to say goodbye, and it showed.

https://themusic.com.au/reviews/engelbert-humperdinck-hamer-hall/48FZ9_b5-Ps/27-05-24

by PAUL CASHMERE on MAY 27, 2024 Noise 11.comin NEWS

Engelbert Humperdinck has wrapped up his The Last Waltz tour in Australia with eight shows in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth and is now back at his home in Los Angeles. 

This was a remarkable tour. For starters Engelbert is 88 years old. He is officially the oldest performer I have now ever seen in concert (edging out blues legend Buddy Guy who I saw in 2023 when he was 86). 

This tour was billed “The Last Waltz Farewell Tour” so for Australia that is probably it (but never discount Engelbert coming back and maybe doing a one-off show). The energy this man still has puts men 30 years younger to shame. The Australian tour might be over but Engelbert still has 50 more shows booked this year for Europe, North America and South Africa.

Engelbert’s setlist is not just nostalgia, there are also some surprises. Journey’s ‘Faithfully’ will feature on his next album, something he described as a concept record. Toby Keith’s ‘Don’t Let The Old Man In’ references Clint Eastwood’s famous line about not getting old “because he doesn’t let the old man in” and is obviously a charter Engelbert lives by as well. 

Clearly the opening song, a cover of Willie Nelson’s ‘Funny How Time Slips Away’ was a reference to his 50+ years in the business and Don McLean’s ‘For The Good Times’ at the end of the show bookended the sentiment.

However, the most touching moment of the show was his performance of ‘Everywhere I Go’, a song for his late wife Patricia, who passed away in 2021. They were married for 57 years. Engelbert dedicated the song to Patricia and said he vowed to sing it at every show he does from now on. 

This was Engelbert’s first time back in Australia since 2019 because of the pandemic. Prior to that he was a regular visitor touring almost every two years in the previous decade, which was basically a good excuse to see his Aussie family, son Scott Dorsey and his two Aussie grandchildren. And thanks to my friendship all these years, I have been gifted the opportunity to interview Engelbert often.

The stories in this show were wonderful. (The jokes not so wonderful but hey, Dad jokes and Grandad jokes get a few pass for this audience). His pisstake of Tom Jones was hilarious though. Can you believe two people who were managed by the same guy (as was Gilbert O’Sullivan) have never recorded together after all these years. An Engelbert, Tom collaboration should happen now while they are all still here.

For that matter, why hasn’t Engelbert ever been knighted. King Charles, I know you are on the Noise11 mailing list MAKE.IT.HAPPEN.

The achievements continue. When ‘A Man Without Love’ was used repeatedly in the 2022 series Moon Knight, Engelbert had the most played song on Spotify that week. That song resonated as much with under 30s as over 80s today.

Of course, all the hits were there. ‘After The Lovin’, ‘The Last Waltz’, ‘Release Me’ are iconic.

Engelbert has a couple of weeks off before resuming his The Last Waltz world tour in New Jersey on June 11. He has dates through until December 12, 2024. 

Retirement then, you say? I say … unlikely.

Engelbert Humperdinck setlist Melbourne 2024

Funny How Time Slips Away (Willie Nelson cover)
Am I That Easy to Forget
Let Me Into Your Life
A Man Without Love
After the Lovin’
Ten Guitars
If You Don’t Know Me by Now (Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes cover)
Faithfully (Journey cover)
Bésame mucho
Can’t Take My Eyes Off You (Frankie Valli cover)
Quando, quando, quando
You’re the First, the Last, My Everything (Barry White cover)
Don’t Let the Old Man In (Toby Keith cover)
Old Time Rock and Roll (George Jackson cover) (Band Introduction)
Everywhere I Go
The Last Waltz
Medley: This Moment in Time / The Way It Used to Be / Les bicyclettes de Belsize / There Goes My Everything / Spanish Eyes
Release Me (And Let Me Love Again)

Encore:
How Do You Keep The Music Playing (James Ingram cover)
For the Good Times

https://www.noise11.com/news/engelbert-humperdinck-ends-his-australian-the-last-waltz-tour-to-rave-reviews-20240527