Engelbert Humperdinck’s Exclusive Interview With Rock Cellar Magazine

International music legend Engelbert Humperdinck his still celebrating the release of his new single “I Followed My Heart,” which was released on Friday, June 9th via OK!Good Records. The King of Romance is currently on tour on his 50th Anniversary Worldwide Tour. The balladeer took time out of his schedule to speak with Rock Cellar Magazine for an exclusive interview where they discussed his incredible career, his hit song “Release Me,” and much more. You can read some of the interview below but be sure to visit RockCellarMagazine.com for more!

Who were the contemporary singers you rated, and who inspired you to up your game?
Engelbert Humperdinck: The Beatles were around and I enjoyed their work very much, but it wasn’t a soloist. But the kind of singer that I liked who was definitely in the balladeer style was Nat King Cole. But I did love Elvis at the beginning my career. He was around in the ‘60s and my career didn’t happen until ’67.

Were your hairstyle and sideburns inspired by Elvis?
EH: I started it, Elvis didn’t. Elvis took he sideburns from me. Did you know that? (laughs)

No.

EH: I told him about it. I said, “Elvis, you know you stole my sideburns.”  And he said to me, (imitates Elvis’ voice) “Well, if it looks good on me, then it’s gonna look good one me.” (laughs)

Your 1967 single “Release Me” holds honors of stopping The Beatles’ No. 1 run on the British charts, keeping “Strawberry Fields/Penny Lane” from hitting the top spot.
EH: “Penny Lane” and “Strawberry Fields” were the A and B side for The Beatles of their latest single and it was going to be their 13th number one. But I’m afraid they only got to number two with it because of “Release Me” being so powerful. For me to be able to get a hold of a song like “Release Me” was just like winning the lottery. It was amazing. The arrangement was done by a gentleman named Charles Blackwell and it was just an amazing arrangement. So catchy and so recognizable. As soon as the introduction started you knew what was coming because it’s such a great arrangement.

In 2014 you released the 2-CD set, Engelbert Calling, an album of duets with artists ranging from Smokey Robinson to Dionne Warwick, Johnny Mathis to Neil Sedaka. One of the surprise duet partners was Gene Simmons of KISS, what was the experience like working with him?

EH: Amazing. The guy is such a wonderful character. In the studio he just said to me, “Enge, just relax, pal, and have fun. Consider it like you’re at a party.” ‘See, I was nervous as the man is a big rock guy and I’m a balladeer singing with him. But it was unbelievable. He made me feel very comfortable. He’s an amazing character; I loved being in the studio with him. I chose to work with him because we thought it would be a great combination so we asked him if he would do a duet and he gladly said yes. That was a great shock for me that he would agree to sing with me.

Engelbert Humperdinck’s new single “I Followed My Heart” is available now for digital purchase on Amazon, iTunes, and Google Play. It is also available to stream on all major streaming platforms including Spotify and Apple Music.

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.

Find all upcoming Engelbert Humperdinck tour dates at: https://www.engelbert.com/tour

Read more at: http://www.rockcellarmagazine.com/2017/06/12/engelbert-humperdinck-50-interview-release-me-elvis-presley-stories-q-and-a/#sthash.s63wtEPv.dpbs



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