July 7, 2014

Engelbert Humperdinck

His name comes from the 19th century Austrian composer who wrote “Hansel & Gretel.” His voice comes from heaven, and he has been a legend in the international music industry for the last forty plus years, with over 150 million records sold.

Some of the evergreen hits that belong to Engelbert include:(Please) Release Me, After The Lovin, Spanish Eyes, The Last Waltz, Am I That Easy To Forget , There Goes My Everything, Les Bicyclettes de Belsize, Winter World Of Love, This Moment In Time, Cant Take My Eyes Off You and the unforgetable Quando, Quando ,Quando.

Engelbert Humperdinck has recorded everything from the most romantic ballads to the platinum-selling theme song “Lesbian Seagull” for the latest Beavis and Butthead movie. His remarkable voice and extraordinary talent has endeared him to millions of fans around the globe with the MTV generation having just “discovered” what a magnificent musician the rest of the world has celebrated for decades.

Few people realize that several of the major forces in the world of rock n’ roll, including Jimi Hendrix and The Carpenters, started out as opening acts for Humperdinck in the late’60’s, 70’s and ’80’s.   Lets not forget Humperdinck taking #1 away form the Beatles, as well

In 1999 “Humper” recorded The Dance Album as his first album in the dance genre. Released by the red-hot dance label Interhit Records, the album featured newly recorded dance versions of six of Engelbert’s greatest hits, along with five original songs. Favorites such as “Quando, Quando, Quando” and “Release Me” are set to an infectious dance beat by dance producer/ remixers Chris Cox and Barry Harris, known collectively as Thunderpuss 2000. The album has enjoyed tremendous success, with “Release Me” hitting Top Ten in the Billboard Dance charts. Says Billboard magazine of The Dance Album: “…brilliantly cool…one of the most fun pop/dance albums of the decade.”

With four Grammy nominations, a Golden Globe for “Entertainer of the Year” (1988), 63 gold and 24 platinum records and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Humperdinck might rest easy on his laurels. Hardly. In the past few years, he has joined in elite group of musical artists, such as Tony Bennett and Burt Bacharach, who have crossed over successfully to strike a new chord with a younger generation in addition to their core audiences. The Humper has appeared on several MTV programs, including two appearances on “MTV Beach House”, “Chilling with the Weaze” and “Oddville.”

Engelbert Humperdinck came into this world as Arnold George Dorsey, one of ten siblings. His father served in the British military, and his mother taught violin and had an operatic voice. They all lived in Leicester, England and the young lad from Leicester developed strong and enduring family values imparted by his parents. At the age of eleven, Arnold George Dorsey began to study saxophone.

When he was seventeen, Engelbert found himself playing at a pub that sponsored a singing contest. Goaded by his friends to enter, he put down his sax and for the first time revealed another vocal talent: impersonations. Arnold George Dorsey gave the worlds finest impersonation of Jerry Lewis- Jerry Lewis still thinks so-and was quickly dubbed Gerry Dorsey by his fans. It became his professional stage name. Furthermore, he never picked up the sax again.

Gerry Dorsey was very popular on the UK music circuit until he contracted tuberculosis, which silenced him for six months and nearly snuffed out his rising star. Many people assumed his career was finished. Upon regaining his health, Gerry Dorsey knew he had to bury his old, somewhat tainted image to make a comeback as a strong, dynamic performer, still tall, dark handsome and somewhat mysterious. His manager suggested the new name Engelbert Humperdinck. It was just outrageous enough to be memorable. It would take a man with a secure self-image and sense of humor to pull it off. And thus was born the soon-to-be legend, Engelbert Humperdinck.

Few people realize that it was Humperdinck, not Elvis, who made famous the sideburns and flamboyant leather jumpsuits. Engelbert often jokingly asserts that Elvis “stole” the image from him. Nevertheless, the two legends often performed one another’s songs, and enjoyed a lasting friendship until Elvis’ death. Humperdinck has always enjoyed a healthy rivalry with Tom Jones, and the two actually partnered for ten years and shared a manager for many, many more.

Romance serves as the core of Engelbert Humperdinck’s music and lasting success. He knows how to pick songs with eternal themes of love and longing, and lovers always want to hear them sung.

Engelbert recently completed recording his first duets CD “Engelbert Calling.” Featuring brand tracks with a who’s who of the music world, including Sir Elton John, Willie Nelson ,Shelby Lynne, Charles Aznavour,Johnny Mathis, Cliff Richard Neil Sedaka, Dionne Warwick, Kenny Rogers, Lulu , Beverly Knight and Gene Simmons, to name a few.

Sir Elton said his new recording pal was “one of the sweetest and nicest people I have ever worked with.” He went on, “We had a great time singing together. He is 76 years old and still sounding as good as ever.”

“I am truly thrilled to be working with some of the greats of show business on this new CD,” Engelbert recently said.

“Engelbert Calling”was produced in London and Los Angeles by Grammy award winning producer Martin Terefe (Train, Jason Mraz, James Morrison). The CD was released in the UK on March 17 and immediately entered the HMV Albums chart at #3 and was granted Album Of The Week at BBC Radio 2. Top 20 chart CD entries in Australia and New Zealand followed its May release.

“Engelbert Calling” will be released in USA and rest of world on September 30 2014  – Get ready to connect with Engelbert!

Engelbert is happily married to his wife of almost 50 years Patricia. The couple has 4 children and 9 grandchildren. Engelbert is managed by his son Scott Dorsey/Dorsey Productions.

Albums:

Engelbert Calling (Out Sept. 30)

Visit Engelbert Humperdinck:
Website: Engelbert.com
Facebook: Facebook.com/OfficialEngelbertHumperdinck
Twitter: Twitter.com/ehumperdinck
YouTube: Youtube.com/TheENGELBERTChannel