Engelbert Humperdinck’s Exclusive Interview With Waterloo Region Record
International music legend Engelbert Humperdinck is gearing up for this upcoming performances that are taking place later is week in Ontario, Canada. In preparation of his Canadian shows, the King of Romance recently spoke with Waterloo Region Record about everything from his upcoming performances to his relationships with Dean Martin, Elvis, and Jimi Hendrix. You will find some of the exclusive interview below, but be sure to head over to TheRecord.com to read the full interview.
You have other titles as well. Tell me about “King of Romance.”
I didn’t give that to myself. It was given to me by the press and kept hot by the fans. I think it’s quite a compliment. “King of Romance.” “King of Rock and Roll.” “King of Pop” … (laughs) … There were many kings and I’m glad to be one of them.Are there disadvantages — like if you’re in line at the grocery store and someone butts in and you want to tell him off?
Number one, it’s a rarity for me to go shopping. But I do, by the way, go shopping, because I love to cook. But no, I don’t get upset about anything like that. That’s childish. I don’t tell people “Hey, do you know who I am? Who do you think you are?”Or you order room service and the food is lousy? Are you ever tempted to puff out your chest and snap “The King Of Romance does not eat Kraft Dinner!”
I once had a problem when I went over the speed limit at 35 miles an hour and it was supposed to be 30. I got pulled over by the police and I did happen to say, “Listen, I’m opening in Vegas next week and I’ll be happy if you came over with your wife and you can have a free room and weekend there and I do apologize for the mistake I made.” He said “OK, I don’t want to come to Vegas, but I’m gonna give you a ticket!” … (laughs) … so the name means nothing to some people.Please release me, let me go” — not the most upbeat lyric. How did a lovelorn country tune kicking around since 1949 become the signature song of your career?
It’s in the Guinness Book of Records. It went to No. 1 around the world and started my life. It’s the song people sing in my face at airports and everywhere I go. When they recognize my sideburns they sing … (croons in low, gravelly voice) … ‘please release me, let me go.’ It’s as fresh today as it was when I recorded it. I’ve done all kinds of music — dance music, disco — but ballads are my forte. The romantic scene is my scene. I’ve stayed with it all these many years.
Is it true guitar legend Jimi Hendrix once opened your show?
It’s true. We toured in the U.K. Jimi was getting known and they were trying to promote him, so they put him with ‘name’ people who could make his talent visible.Tell me about your relationships with Elvis Presley, Dean Martin and Tom Jones. You guys all came from the same hunky crooner tradition. There must have been some rivalry.
“Dean was probably one of the nicest people I ever met in show business. He took me under his wing. I played one of the hotels he owned. We dined quite a lot. We were good friends. Tom Jones and I shared the same manager. I think he’s a great talent.And Elvis?
He was one of the greatest, most affectionate people I have ever met. When I first met him, he didn’t shake my hand, he embraced me. And I thought “My god, I’m embracing the King of Rock and Roll!” I couldn’t believe it. We became friends. Later on, in a book about his life, they mentioned who he liked in show business and he said he liked Engelbert Humperdinck because I reminded him of the twin brother he lost at birth.”And now it’s 50 years later and, other than Tom Jones, you’re the last man standing. Seems like a lot of pressure.
I was saddened by the fact that my dear friends are gone. What can I say? I’m just happy I’m still able to share my talent with the world. I never think about retirement. It doesn’t even enter my mind.
For more from this exclusive interview, visit: TheRecord.com
Engelbert Humperdinck’s duets album Engelbert Calling is available for purchase at music retailers nationwide and online from our webstore, iTunes, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Google Play, Bandcamp, and Spotify. Humperdinck’s limited edition vinyl, Duets EP, is available for purchase our web-store.
To find a tour date near you, visit: engelbert.com/tour
