INTERVIEW: Engelbert Humperdinck on his continuing journey
Photo: Engelbert Humperdinck brings his tour to the State Theatre in Easton, Pennsylvania. Photo courtesy of the artist / Provided by Reybee Inc. with permission.
Engelbert Humperdinck is a legend in the truest form of the word. He has been singing on stages, near and far, for more than 50 years, and he shows no signs of stopping. He is currently on tour in the United States and will stop at the State Theatre in Easton, Pennsylvania, Thursday, Oct. 7. At the concert, audience members can expect to hear some of the tunes that have made the British singer a global megastar — hits like “Release Me,” which charted for more than a year and beat out some of the Beatles tunes for the top spot.
Humperdinck, who has been honored as a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE), has had a difficult two years. He has been away from his fans and hasn’t stepped foot on a stage in 19 months, and he also lost his beloved wife recently. That means his current tour will be a time for reflection and nostalgia, and the lyrics to his well-known tunes, often centered on love and forgiveness, will have an extra meaning and sentiment this time around.
Recently Hollywood Soapbox spoke with the legendary singer about his life, his career and what the future holds. It’s hard to see how he can out do himself. He’s a man who has sold north of 140 million records, with 64 gold albums and 35 platinum albums to his name (taken together that’s one shy of 100). He is on the walks of fame in Hollywood, Las Vegas and his hometown of Leicester, England. He has entranced audiences around the world, and the Queen of England has been in that audience four times.
Here’s what he had to say …
On how’s he feeling returning to the stage after 19 months …
It’s 19 months since I’ve been on stage performing, and it’ll be nice to get back on the road again and do these things, to see fans and friends. It’s going to be good. I’m looking forward to it very much. … I think after 19 months of absence from the stage, there’s definitely a little bit of nervousness involved. I’ve never been off this long in my life. I’ve done world tours every year, and I’ve always performed every month of the year everywhere all the time. Since the pandemic, there’s been nothing, and it’s quite nerve-racking actually to know that I’m going to go back. It’s like starting all over again, but it’s exciting.
On how his voice stays strong …
I thank God for that. Everything seems to have come back now. I did have the virus, and it did affect my voice a little bit in the early months of the year. But it’s back, and it’s as strong as it was before now.
On his love for playing the hit songs, including “Release Me” …
The kind of songs that I sing are trialed and tested around the world, and I’ve found out the kind of songs that they want to hear or the type of songs they want to hear that I’ve recorded over the years. And these are the ones that I place in the show, plus the new material that I can introduce to them. It’s a tough job picking the songs out, but it works out in the long run.
On how “Release Me” took over the world …
I’ll be honest with you, when I first heard the melody, I felt as though it was a hit song. I said to my manager at the time, ‘This is definitely a hit song,’ but it sat on the shelf for three months without moving until I did a show called the Sunday Night at the London Palladium. And I gave it an airing to the millions of people in the United Kingdom. The very next day it sold like 80,000-90,000 a day, so it just goes to show that when you have something to sell, you really have to market it in the proper way. Being on a major show like that made it happen.
On his competition with the Beatles …
I did compete with them. When ‘Release Me’ came out, I was competing with the Beatles at the time. They just released ‘Penny Lane’ and ‘Strawberry Fields,’ and I had to compete with them. And they never got to #1 because I kept that position. [laughs] … It was on the charts for 56 weeks, but it was #1 for a number of weeks.
On his dreams coming true …
You’re just glad that they came true. Your wishes have come alive, and it took one song, which was finding that needle in the haystack. But I happened to be lucky enough to find it. It gave me a global career immediately, so that’s one of the reasons why I was able to come to America so quickly because it went to #1 over here. And then, of course, all my work was released around the world, and now I can travel anywhere in the world and everybody knows my song and also thanks to karaoke. [laughs]
On his love for Leicester ….
As a matter of fact, I’m going to go back and do a tour. My tour starts in America on Oct. 3, and I’m doing nine dates in America. And then I go to the UK, and I do 14 cities beginning on Oct. 31. I’ve never done a tour as big as that in a long, long time. It’s going to be exciting, and I’m playing my hometown. … I still got my house there. Yeah, I still have my house in Leicester, and I frequent it whenever I can. It’s a beautiful house that I will never get rid of. I love it very much because I spend my Christmas and New Year’s there. It’ll stay there until I give it to the children, my kids.
On his thoughts of the past and the future …
I have to think about the future. I am going to reflect on the past on this tour because it’s a nostalgic tour. It’s going to be hard because I did lose my wife recently. The lyrics of my songs are very sensitive, and it’s going to make a difference the way I read lyrics in the future. … I hope [the audience] takes away the fact that I have pleased them in every respect and that they will come back and see me again in the not-too-distant future.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Engelbert Humperdinck will perform Thursday, Oct. 7 at the State Theatre in Easton, Pennsylvania. Click here for more information and tickets.
Dear Sir Engelbert. Thank you for your lovely singing and your wonderful voice. Ever since I discovered your singing on Facebook I don’t enjoy any other singing by other singers anymore. I had difficulty in falling asleep for almost many many years but ever since I discovered your singing and by listening to your singing I could fall asleep so easily. I name your singing “my sleeping pills “. Thank you Sir to have changed my life from a boring to a happy life. Best regards. Betty Rita Wong from Borneo island
On his love for FAN …
Dear Engelbert: I have been a fan of yours since hearing “Release Me”. I am also a member of the :Humperdinck-L-Ettes in Harrisburg, PA. Members of the club will be at your concert at the American Music Theatre in Lancaster on October 10. We have traveled to other cities to see and hear your beautiful singing voice. Can’t wait to hear your voice again!
The love you have for your Fans is so special. I’m a fan and I look forward to the Tuesday Museday conversations. It’s so interesting to see you and know that you’re doing well. Thank you for the
Live presentation from your home on Facebook, Sept. 29th. You looked well rested and gave us, your fans, the chance to see you sing for the first time. I know your Tour will be “Totally Amazing”. And
the announcement of another Christmas Special in November this year was fantastic news. I watched it last year, and can’t wait to hear your choice of songs. I will be seeing you on stage in Clearwater, Florida February 2022. I listen to your music everyday. Seeing you on stage will be exciting. God bless.
Now that I have seen videos of many earlier performances
I became a devoted fan of Englebert Humperdinck only a few years ago . One evening I happened to see his concert from Hawaii shown on a PBS special. I thought his voice and songs were so wonderful, and he was good looking. I enjoyed listening to some hit songs that were familiar to me and I was very touched learning that a number of his new songs were dedicated to his wife who, for many years, had been suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. He looked handsome and in good shape for his age. I enjoyed the show so much, that the very next day, I ordered his autobiography. It was very interesting to read and learn about his life story and how his career got
started. I watched many YouTube videos of shows that he had performed throughout his career, and enjoyed them tremendously. After joining three fan clubs, I learned and viewed his weekly, Tuesday/Museday video chats he makes to stay in touch with his fans. What a special thing to do for his fans! Besides loving his songs, I’ve found him to be a talented, caring, thoughtful and humble man. He also writes beautiful poems and songs. I have been to five concert shows within the last four years and listen to his music everyday. His voice and songs always bring me joy and happiness. At age 85, he is still amazing to be performing and entertaining his many fans from all over the world. This last year was very tough for Engelbert, between his recovery from COVID, not being “on the road” performing due to the pandemic and also for the loss of Patricia, his dear wife of 64 years. It is remarkable, through courage and perseverance, last week he resumed touring with his first show at Westbury, New York and I was thrilled to be there, with his loyal fans to welcome and enjoy another wonderful show; the fabulous return to his fantastic career. He truly is amazing!
Dear Engelbert, I have been a fan yours since I was a little girl 10 years old in 1968 .I love your music your songs your voice your style you seem like such a genuine gentle person I have always thought that .Thank you for all your years of music. And thank you for continuing Hope you have safe travels. Can’t wait to February 27 in Clearwater Florida to see you in concert.Hope I can get a hug ,that would be nice.I may be a hanky . It even if not I’ll still enjoy all your songs.
Dearest Engelbert. you are the greatest performer I have ever seen. I wish I could go to every show this past week I saw you in westbury and NJ When you sing your love songs you sing with such passion you make everyone feel like you are singing it to them.I know at westbury your first show was very hard for you I felt your pain but you did it so beautiful. Live u with all my ❤️
Dear Sir, I was at your concert last night in Morristown, NJ. You were…Totally Amazing! Your voice was strong and you looked fantastic. It was a great great show.🥰
I have followed Mr EH since 1967. I’ve been to over 650 live performances and still going. 3 more in California this year. Love the music and his voice. This has been a difficult time for everyone. I will be on crutches as I fell in juice from a roast serving dinner. I now have a metal plate and six screws in my leg. Still a little difficult to get around but wouldn’t miss a show if I can help it.
Now that is a true fan!! Hope you have a full recovery.
Dearest Engelbert, as the years went by I always heard your name mentioned; and one night my son came to see us and he had your 2000 concert and played it; I was taken by your God gifted voice, wonderful looks and personality. I said “Who Is That” and my son said that is Engelbert Humperdinck. That was at least six to seven years ago. I have been to two of your concerts, talked to you on a radio station about a week after you performed at the Arlington Music Hall in Arlington Texas. In Arlington, I held your hand and WOW that was so honorable. I have many of your CDs or Albums. I watch all your YouTube presentations and I submitted a package to Queen Elizabeth, requesting she give you the title of Knight. I had to do a lot of research on you to do a package to her. With all the research, I found you to be totally amazing, phenomenal, astounding, fabulous and very talented with all kinds of awards. Most of all though, I found you to have a heart of gold in caring for your family, fans around the world, donating to charities. You can be assured that you are loved all around the world; AND REMEMBER, I love you too. May the Lord continue to bless and keep you always. Bennie Wright/Greenville Texas.
Dear Engelbert. I was at your concert October 3,2021 in Medford Ma. You are very talented I enjoyed every song, even when you had problems with the microphone and with the ear pieces., you have patience’s of a Saint. You have a beautiful voice and a great personality. May our lord keep blessing you. Hope to see you again when your back in the Boston area.
Dearest Engelbert, I am so envious of those who are able to see you on tour again. I saw you at the Melody Tent in Cape Cod, MA in the mid-2000’s and I can still see you standing in the wings waiting to go on, all decked out in your white outfit … gorgeous. What heart palpitaions I had … And what a performance you gave!!! I acquired your cd IT’S ALL IN THE GAME around that time and my family now refers to this as the time “When Engelbert and Mom made Hillary’s wedding dress.” My daughter had asked me to design and make for her an Audry Hepburn style wedding dress. Your cd was what kept me going during the many weeks of designing and sewing, and anyone who entered my house knew not to come into my sewing room if they could hear Engelbert’s voice coming from there. You and I were creating something beautiful! Needless to say, your music helped me survive a tense but meaningful time and I still play that cd almost daily. I immediately bought your REFLECTIONS cd when I heard it and it, too, is another favorite. I love the sound of your voice in its maturity and admire the way you respect and perform so lovingly for your fans, in person and on videos. Keep on keepin’ on, dear one. You know “We Love You Right Back.” Another devoted lover of you and your music, Patricia White, Zanesville, Ohio
Dear Engelbert
I am going to see you perform in 3 days, Oct. 10, at Lancaster, PA. I have seen you many times through the years and enjoy your music for years! You are still looking good and singing great! When I am feeling down I watch your videos on You Tube and that makes me perk up pretty quick. God bless you always.
Jean Hoshauer, Mohrsville, Pa.
I grew up loving music by Nat King Cole. Perry Como and Patti Page…then you came along and with voice and beautiful love songs have been my favorite! Can’t go a day without you and all your beautiful romantic songs! You are a most special entertainer and person! You always expected the best! I pray you get the recognition you truly deserve in the the Music Industry! Kennedy Honor s Award and even the Queen’s Knighthood! You deserve every honor!Love from Fan in Texas!
I have been a fan of yours since the 70’s when I saw you perform in El Paso, Tx. I made sure my husband and I went to see your shows every time we were in Las Vegas. My granddaughter heard a Christmas cd of yours when she was 5 years old and commented she liked your voice/songs. That made my day because it goes to show age does not matter to appreciate you. Hope to one day see you perform again.
Wish I would have known that you were at the casino here in Ct . I really hoped to see you and drop offs CD of the song I wrote for Elvis .. he passed and never got the chance to record it !
Called I didn’t Mean to make you cry . I believe you may have met my dads cousin years back , he was entertainment director at the Riveria..Tony Zoppi … soo disappointed .. well we will meet someday ! You are the Best 💕👍. Nancy Zoppi
I have been a fan of Engelbert since I have been 15 years old. Now a young age of 65 i just seen him for his first show Oct 1st in Westbury New york .All i can say he is pure class has the audience melting in his hands and i continue to see him over and over i never get tired.And may I say that his band has to be the most down to earth people i have seen in this business but why would you expect anything less..So on this note I wish him the very best and can’t wait till I see him in florida next year again .
Ive been watching englebert on you tube his voice is so pure and strong love love his singing and he is so handsome but then i saw you tube 2021 it was painful for me to watch he wasn’t himself on stage I could not watch it I’m sorry I am still watching his concerts but the one in red shirt and red robe I don’t know who that was sorry
I knew of the name back in the 60’s and more but I was busy raising my children. Then I discovered you again about three years ago. What I have missed! I watch all of the early years and All interviews and anything I can get. I am 84 now and I still find not only a wonderful voice but such a wonderful person, so handsome along with that God given talent.I would love to see a concert. Maybe some time. Please make as many videos from beginning to present so I can catchup. Late fan but a true fan now. Hickory NC