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Humperdinck remembers his gratitude for a small but meaningful gesture from Martin

By Angela Andaloro Updated on June 18, 2026 08:15PM EDT People.com

Engelbert Humperdinck is grateful for the ways Dean Martin looked out for him.

The "Release Me" singer, 90, appeared on the June 15 episode of Nostalgia Tonight with Joe Sibilia, where he looked back on the entertainers who influenced him. Martin, who died in 1995 at age 78, befriended Humperdinck as his career was taking off.

"Dean, we became good friends, actually, because I played a hotel in Las Vegas called the Riviera, and Dean was part-owner of that hotel," the British singer explained.

"He put his name on the marquee — 'Dean Martin Presents Engelbert Humperdinck' — and what a feather in my cap that was, having his name associated with mine," he shared, with evident pride.

Humperdinck said the relationship wasn't all business, with the two finding much in common. "We became friends, and we dined together many, many a night. And he was a wonderful man," he shared.

Similarly, Humperdinck hit it off with Lewis, telling host Joe Sibilia, "When I did finally meet Jerry, he told me, 'You know, Eng,' he said, 'You do the best me I've ever heard in my life.' And I thought that was quite fantastic."

In a 2016 interview, Humperdinck recalled one of the best lessons he learned from Martin.

"He was a tremendous actor and stage performer. Dean would never rehearse. He would show up and use cue cards, but he was always perfect. No one else could do that, the way Dean did it," he said, adding that the entertainer "was extremely nice to me."

Martin taught Humperdinck how important it is to "act out a song."

"I love performing and I consider myself an actor on stage. I don't just sing lyrics. I use stage techniques and movements with the song."

https://people.com/engelbert-humperdinck-remembers-a-special-show-of-kindness-from-dean-martin-12001934

June 12, 2026 BY Pancho Symes Ballina Times

ENGELBERT Humperdinck says the hairs on the back of his neck “still stand up” when he hears the opening bars of Release Me.

Nearly 60 years after the song famously kept The Beatles from reaching No.1 on the UK singles chart, and ahead of his upcoming Gold Coast performance, the veteran entertainer has reflected on a career that has stretched across generations, shifting music industries and audiences around the world.

Globally recognised as the “King of Romance”, Humperdinck said the image that defined much of his career was helped shape early on by manager Gordon Mills, who also managed Tom Jones.

“Tom Jones did the Rock and Roll and I did the romance,” Humperdinck said.

“That’s how it was put out.”

“So I did all the romantic songs and, fortunately for me, it worked.”

He also reflected on the unusual stage name that helped define his career, saying it was chosen for him by Mills and allowed him to stand out in the industry.

“When you have an unusual name, people take notice of it,” he said.

“I took a name that was kind of long and not very pretty sounding and turned it into a romantic image, which I’m very proud of.”

The singer also recalled the intensity of fan devotion during the height of his fame, when performances were often met with screaming audiences.

“That happened, not to the extent of what The Beatles had to go through… but they did a lot of screaming and it was quite exciting,” he said.

“Don’t forget my career is 59 years old and I think I’ve learned a lot, and my audiences change in their attitude and the way they approach your performance.”

“And it’s just different in today’s world, they appreciate the music a lot more now I think, so they listen more, rather than screaming.”

Humperdinck said his life changed dramatically after the release of Release Me in 1967, which became a worldwide phenomenon and famously denied The Beatles a 12th UK number one single.

“I couldn’t believe it myself,” he said.

“It was like a non-entity from nowhere, to be up against the almighty Beatles, who I was a big fan of or still am…”

While the song had been recorded by several artists prior to his version, Humperdinck’s 1967 rendition became a global hit, with the singer crediting the song’s arrangement as a key factor in its success.

He credited arranger Charles Blackwell with helping shape the final sound.

“He did a miraculous job of making that song so recognizable,” Humperdinck said.

“When I hear that introduction, the hairs on the back of my neck still stand up.”

Despite a career spanning more than six decades, Humperdinck said his passion for performing has not faded.

“One thing is for sure, I’m not tired of it,” he said.

“I love my job, I love what I’m doing. I’m still recording.”

He said staying connected with fans has helped sustain his career in the modern era.

“My following is absolutely magnificent,” he said.

“It’s like a cult following.”

“Everywhere I go, at all my shows, I’m greeted in a very wonderful way.”

Humperdinck also said social media has become an important tool for maintaining that connection, including his regular “Tuesday Museday” updates.

“I inform my fans around the world what I’m doing that particular week,” he said.

“I read their comments and I pay attention to them because I think it’s important.”

Still, he admits he misses aspects of the old music industry.

“I love the old-fashioned way with vinyl,” he said.

“You could call up the record company and say, “how many did you sell today?”

“It’s something that doesn’t happen in today’s market.”

“You have to find out about downloads and this and that… it’s not the same.”

“That excitement has gone out of recording, really.”

Humperdinck will bring his enduring catalogue of romance to The Star Gold Coast in Broadbeach on July 6 as part of The Celebration Tour 2026.

The show starts at 7pm, with tickets available at Ticketek.

https://timesnewsgroup.com.au/ballinatimes/living/the-king-of-romance-engelbert-humperdinck-looks/

https://www.iheart.com/podcast/28268129/episode/336583193/?keyid=AutomatedPodcasts&ihrnetwork=true&embed=true

Sun, 7 Jun 2026, 1:19pm

Engelbert Humperdinck: British singers speaks ahead of New Zealand tour - 

The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin

Engelbert Humperdinck's been dubbed the 'king of romance' - with a long-running musical career to show for it.

Rising to fame alongside The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, he's released  64 albums, been nominated for four Grammys and one Golden Globe, and he's kept the attention of millions of listeners over 60 years.

He turned 90 last month and he's still going  strong, with his Celebration Tour set to arrive in New Zealand later in the month.

"I've been so used to travelling and doing my thing, it's second nature to me, I don't worry about things like that."

https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/engelbert-humperdinck-british-singer-speaks-ahead-of-new-zealand-tour/