NEWS

http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/12-best-musical-acts-come-Leicester/story-26373542-detail/story.html

https://soundcloud.com/tonywadsworth/enge-20-6-16?utm_source=soundcloud&utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=twitter

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EiHdgE9VUJc&feature=youtu.be#mce_temp_url#

Doctor of Music recognised by fan base with gift to University of Leicester Library

Posted by ap507 at May 01, 2015 11:59 AM , University of Leicester

Fans of Engelbert Humperdinck have honoured his 50 years in the music industry by sponsoring a reader's chair for the David Wilson Library.

The chair will be placed on the top floor of the Library where 2 other chairs - donated to mark Engelbert's 40 and 45 years in the industry - are already located.

Members of the 'Engelbert in the UK' fan club are keen to celebrate the singer's tremendous international contribution by making the gift to the University based in his home city of Leicester.

Engelbert was honoured by the University of Leicester in 2006 when he was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Music.

University Librarian Caroline Taylor said: "We’re delighted that members of the Engelbert in the UK fan club have chosen to sponsor a third Library chair in honour of Engelbert Humperdinck's amazing 50 years in the music industry. This will be a source of pride and inspiration to the many generations of students who will use the chairs over the coming years."

The Vitra's Visavis 2 chair was selected in consultation with the University's students - not only is this a design classic, but it is also very comfortable for long periods of study.

http://www2.le.ac.uk/news/blog/2015-archive-1/may/engelbert-humperdinck-receives-new-seat-of-learning-tribute#.VXcqgwon2Lc.facebook

Watch here : https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=__Rf-bs2pfk

‪#‎LooseWomen‬ ‪#‎Humperdinck‬

SAM BAILEY has already toured with Michael Bolton and now the X Factor champ's other dream is coming true as Engelbert Humperdinck invites her to join him on his UK tour in May.

Sam Bailey is a very happy lady right now.

She may have been dropped by her Syco record label, but she has just been picked up by one of her biggest heroes, Engelbert Humperdinck.

The 78-year-old legend is taking her on tour with him to fulfill the promise he made to her on The X Factor back in 2013.

“I spoke to Sam before the finals of X Factor and I promised her then that we would one day share a stage,” he says.

“I'm happy to be fulfilling that promise.”

The living legend has worked alongside the likes of Frank Sinatra, Tom Jones and Elvis but is full of praise for his fellow Leicester-born singing sensation.

“She’s no novice, having topped both the UK album and singles chart, supported Beyoncé and blown us all away on X Factor,” he adds.

“But I like to think there’s still plenty I can teach her after half a century doing this!"

Bailey will join him on the first two dates of his 50 Years With Englebert Tour in Birmingham and London on May 28 and 29, respectively.

She is clearly thrilled at the chance to share the stage with one of her heroes.

“It’s an honour for me to join a true legend on stage,’ she says. “I look forward to working with him and performing for his army of fans!”

In a career spanning six decades, Humperdink has sold over 150 million records but shows no signs of slowing down. Although he has been based in the US for many years, the Release Me singer retains close ties with his native Leicester and is keen to return home with his anniversary show.

By Stefan Kyriazis / Published 24th April 2015, Daily Star

http://www.dailystar.co.uk/showbiz-tv/music/438508/Sam-Bailey-s-Englebert-Humperdinck-UK-tour

HE is a singing legend whose career spans half a century.

Music icon Engelbert Humperdinck is returning to the UK for a short series of concerts, calling in at The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, on Sunday, May 31.

The 78-year old, whose hits include Release Me, A Man Without Love and The Last Waltz, says he is recovering from a bout of bronchitis.

He said: "Yes, I had to cancel a couple of concerts, but it’s on its way out now.

“I recently went to Canada and it was really cold which brought it on. Cher had a problem with it too.”

Engelbert has had a number of awards bestowed upon him over the years, including a star on the Hollywood Hall of Fame and the Honorary Freedom of Leicester — where he grew up — and says he has accomplished everything he has wanted to do.

He said: "There’s nothing else I really want to do with my career.

I’ve been satisfied in the way my career journey has taken me. I’ve released lots of albums and sold 150 million. I also lived in the era where you could enjoy your recording career.”

His most recent album was released last year and is a collection of duets with fellow music stars, entitled Engelbert Calling.

He said: "The album came about after a phone call with Elton John where I asked him if he would like to record a duet and he immediately said ‘yes’, he’s a wonderful artist.

“Then the idea developed and I wanted to make it into an album that could be popular around the world and the artists involved include Sir Cliff Richard, Olivia Newton-John, Lulu and Neil Sedaka.”

He also hooked up with Gene Simmons, from American hard rock band Kiss, for the album.

Engelbert, who was at the top of the charts when BBC Radio One started broadcasting in September 1967, said: “It was a great thrill to work with Gene."

This tour marks the 50th anniversary of The Hump, as he is affectionately known, starting his career and he says there have been many highlights.

He said: "My first single, which was Release Me, stopped The Beatles from getting their 13th number one.”

The flip side of Release Me — entitled Ten Guitars — is also very special to him.

He said: "It’s like the National Anthem of New Zealand, it seems that everyone over the age of three knows it and when I play there I have to sing it three times at every show.”

His Manchester show will feature support act Sam Bailey, who wowed millions of viewers with her vocal talents to win The X Factor in 2013.

Engelbert said: "I’ll be doing all my hits as the songs I recorded are so popular and there are a lot of standards.

“Plus I’ll be singing some songs off the new album which will include a ‘virtual’ duet with Elton John and also a bit of variety away from my repertoire.”

He was due to tour the UK last year but was unable to due to illness.

He said: “I caught the flu and I was travelling everywhere wearing surgical masks on the planes.

“But I love performing in the UK because it’s home to me. I’m just a bloke from Leicester and I enjoy meeting and speaking to the people I meet.”

By Martin Hutchinson, May 19^th, 2015 Bolton News

http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/leisure/featured_article_panel/12959632.Music_legend_Engelbert_Humperdinck_celebrating_50_years_in_the_business/

Listen to Engelbert chatting with Keith Middleton on BBC Radio as they discuss his upcoming UK Tour!

SINGING icon Engelbert, 79, pays tribute to his adoring wife Patricia who never lost faith that he would be a star – even in the tough times.

THIS is me and my wife Patricia in Paris in 1967. I met her in 1956 when I’d just come out of national service and I was back in Leicester, at the local dance hall. Her face was so full of innocence. As soon as I saw her, I knew she was ‘the one’.

We were courting for seven years and those were difficult years for me trying to make it in the music business. Even after we married in 1964, things were tough. We went on honeymoon to Paris and the circumstances were very different to what you can see in this picture.

We couldn’t afford to stay in any fancy hotels and hung out with the students because they knew where all the cheap cafés were.

After our honeymoon, we moved into a flat in London. We had our first child and the pressure was on me to provide for them. I call those our starvation years.

Money was tight and there were a lot of disappointments, but Patricia stood by me.

One day, my dad said to her, ‘Can’t you talk some sense into him? Tell him to get a regular job.’ But she believed in my dream just as much as I did and told my dad, ‘Give him a chance – he’s gonna be a star.’ I couldn’t have done it without Patricia’s love and support.

When success came, it came very quickly – like a whirlwind. I recorded Release Me and it went to number one all over the world. It even stopped The Beatles’ Penny Lane getting to number one.

Patricia and I were so excited, but we had no idea how much this was going to change our lives. I went over to the States and did Bing Crosby’s show. When Bing heard me sing, he said, ‘Boy, you got a nice set of pipes.’

America was full of stars back then – Elvis, Frank, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr, Cary Grant – and I was lucky enough to meet them all. At times, I had to pinch myself. I was just a regular guy from Leicester and here I was hanging out with legends. How the hell did that happen?

Release Me was a big hit in France and I was back in Paris in 1967 when this photo was taken. This time, we had a private car to meet us at the airport and people shouting my name. We were dressed in the latest gear and, for the first time, I had some money in the bank. 

I thought about those two kids from 1964 and wow, we were in a different world.

Our marriage has lasted for over 50 years, but it hasn’t always been easy. 

At times our troubles have been played out in the newspapers. 

I was never a playboy, but I liked to party. I have been a little bit naughty. Patricia knows all about that but knows I’ve only ever loved her.

The secret of our 50-year marriage has been enjoying the simple things in life.

Even though we live in LA most of the time, we don’t hang out with the red-carpet, Hollywood set. Patricia’s very keen on gardening, I like to ride the Pacific Coast Highway on my motorbike and we spend a lot of time with the family.

But most of all, I think a lasting marriage is all about that little word called love. Sure, everyone has their ups and downs, but when we look at each other, there’s that certain something. Even after all this time, our love is stronger than ever.” 

Engelbert plays Birmingham’s Symphony Hall on May 28, London’s Royal Albert Hall on May 29 and Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall on May 31. Call 0844 338 0000 or visit bookingsdirect.com.  

By DANNY SCOTT

PUBLISHED: 00:01, Sun, May 17, 2015

http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/life/577240/Singer-Engelbert-Humperdinck-interview

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- There was a brief period in the '90s when Engelbert Humperdinck changed.

Yeah, he shaved off his signature "chop" sideburns for a minute and got all GQ on us. 

Well, in 2015, manly facial hair is back in vogue -- and so is this man's undeniably timeless cool factor.  

The enduring Brit-pop heartthrob is best known for his Top 40 Hits "Release Me," "The Last Waltz," "After the Lovin'," "A Man Without Love" and "Quando Quando Quando."

With four Grammy nominations, a Golden Globe for "Entertainer of the Year," 63 gold and 24 platinum records and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, this singing septuagenarian might rest easy on his laurels. 

Hardly.

In the past few years, this road warrior has joined an elite group of veteran musical artists, Tony Bennett and Burt Bacharach for example, who have crossed over successfully to strike a new chord with a younger generation while retaining their core audiences.

Engelbert brings his current tour to Staten Island's historic St. George Theatre May 12. He took the time to trade emails with me while out on the road promoting his latest recording of superstar duets, "Englebert Calling." 

Q: OK, I gotta get this outta the way. The woman who runs my office begged me to ask if you ever get tired of being a heartthrob? Is it a chore? Or is it just a chore answering QUESTIONS about it?

EH: Does cupid tire of slinging those arrows every Valentines? No, I never cease to be pleased to hear that my music may increase the heartbeat...but there's a great deal that goes into the process and it sometimes takes a team...cupid and I have a side deal going on!

Q: You've assembled a fantastic group of international artists spanning so many genres for this new recording. Who helped you make this happen -- and how long did it take to put together?

 EH: My son and manager, Scott Dorsey, is the steam behind this dream, which took two years to complete but was completely worth the wait for me. He shared the concept with Conehead Records in London and they jumped in right away and it all came together. Juggling the schedules of these major talents was the trickiest part but what makes me proud and patient is that the names on this album are so busy in their careers that we have to keep the balls in the air. Some of us are not spring chickens but you'd never know it by the touring and showbiz commitments.

It's a privilege to be still doing what we love decade after decade.

Q: I've read that your son is also your manager. Has working together brought you closer together? Do you ever clash about recording styles or career plans?

 EH: Ha! That all depends on how you look at it. Scott lives in Australia and I'm his Down Under but together we seem to be able to keep a handle on the world market. He's got great musical ears, ideas and heart and we've already established that heart is essential. It's great having family at the other end of the business phone but, as a dad, there are times when it's hard to step out of the parent roll and get told what to do...but I do!

Q: How do you go from Willie Nelson to Elton John to Gene Simmons? Is the work style totally different for each artist? Or do they have more in common than one might think?

EH: For the artists I was lucky enough to be in the same town at the same time to record, it was all about the hang! Elton, Gene and Smokey made memories that I will never forget. Everyone was a pro on this project and made the process so easy. I've literally had tears of joy, laughter and just plain awe while recording...whether it was in person or through technology.

Q: After 50 years as a mostly solo artist, was it hard to adapt to working with so many stylistically different artists?

EH: I love harmonies to the point of obsession but honestly, it takes a great deal of talent to showcase a song written specifically for a solo artist and make it sound authentic as a duet. Hats off to everyone who put their talents and ideas into vocal arrangements which were brilliantly produced by Martin Terefe. If I could have had that fly on the filming me on speaker phone in LA with Wynonna in Nashville...woodshedding "Release Me," it would have been a great "how to" video for the process.

Q: The new CD isn't even out in the states yes, but I've read rumors about a follow up duets album. Any truth to them? And if so, can you give us some details?

EH: We had so many artists, who I'd be thrilled to sing with, who wanted to jump on board, that a second CD seem to manifest itself. There is a great deal of work to be done to promote "Engelbert Calling" but I'm looking forward to picking up the phone again...sometime down the pipeline.

Q: With 150 million albums sold, is there one song that you really wish you'd never recorded? On the same note, is there one classic or standard you still DO hope to record one day?

EH: Of course I regret the misses before the hits but I'd never call out one song as they all had a piece in the puzzle that is the pathway to success...oh...I like that...I may have to quote myself!

"How I Love You" is a song I have recorded in Spanish and English but never as a duet and I'd dearly love to do it.

Q: Your job, because of the impact you've made as an artist, requires a certain amount of international touring. Don't you ever just want to quit? To rest on your laurels?

EH: I think NOT resting on my laurels has been one of the greatest secrets to my success. The music is in my blood and the touring is in my bones. Yes, they ache a little more than they used to but I've demanded a lot of them over the years. I'm an armchair man when I can be but the road always calls me.

Q: This is your second time performing at the St. George Theatre. What do you love most about being on tour and performing in places, such as Staten Island?

EH: Any theatre that bears George as the middle name has to suit me and be my cup of tea....I've been going to these cities for so long that each stop feels like I'm coming home. Hope to see you there.

Yours Sincerely,

Arnold George Dorsey

AKA Engelbert Humperdinck

http://www.silive.com/entertainment/music/index.ssf/2015/05/5_questions_with_englebert_humperdinck_before_his_staten_island_gig.html