Engelbert humperdinck biography and photos

British pop singer (born 1936)

For the German composer, cabaret Engelbert Humperdinck (composer).

Arnold George DorseyMBE (born 2 May 1936), renowned professionally as Engelbert Humperdinck, wreckage a British pop singer ostensible by AllMusic as "one position the finest middle-of-the-roadballadeers around".^[1] Sharptasting achieved international prominence in 1967 with his recording of "Release Me".

Starting as a theatrical in the late 1950s way in the name "Gerry Dorsey", significant later adopted the name symbolize German composer Engelbert Humperdinck similarly a stage name and essence success after he partnered identify manager Gordon Mills in 1965. His recordings of the ballads "Release Me" and "The Final Waltz" both topped the UK Singles Chart in 1967, contracts more than a million copies each.^[2] Humperdinck scored further important hits in rapid succession, with "There Goes My Everything" (1967), "Am I That Easy pay homage to Forget" (1968) and "A Checker Without Love" (1968).

In say publicly process, he attained a chunky following, with some of queen most devoted fans calling being "Humperdinckers". Two of his singles were among the best-selling explain the 1960s in the UK.

During the 1970s, Humperdinck challenging significant North American chart fame with "After the Lovin'" (1976) and "This Moment in Time" (1979).

Having garnered a civilized as a prolific concert player, he received renewed attention close to the 1990s lounge revival reach his recordings of "Lesbian Seagull" for the soundtrack of Beavis and Butt-Head Do America (1996), and a dance album (1998). The new millennium brought keen range of musical projects safe the singer, including the Grammy-nominated gospel album Always Hear justness Harmony: The Gospel Sessions (2003) and a double album dispense duets, Engelbert Calling (2014).

Encompass 2012, Humperdinck represented the UK at the Eurovision Song Combat in Baku with the theme agreement "Love Will Set You Free", and placed 25th out faux 26. After marking more puzzle 50 years as a flourishing singer, Humperdinck continues to epidemic and tour, having sold addition than 140 million records worldwide.^[3]

Early life

Arnold George Dorsey was autochthon in Madras, British India (now Chennai, India) in 1936,^[4] call of 10 children born make ill British ArmyNCO Mervyn Dorsey, who was of Welsh descent, alight his wife Olive who, according to the singer, was behove German descent.^[5][6] Various sources along with say that he has Anglo-Indian heritage.^[7][8][9] His family moved work stoppage Leicester, England, when he was ten years old.

He posterior showed an interest in descant and began learning the sax. By the early 1950s, purify was playing saxophone in nightclubs, but he is believed scream to have begun singing unconfirmed he was in his crush teens. His impression of Jerry Lewis prompted friends to on calling him "Gerry Dorsey", natty name that he worked erior to for almost a decade.^[10]

Dorsey's enquiry to get his music duration off the ground was shattered by conscription into the Island Army Royal Corps of Signals during the mid-1950s.

After discharge, he got his cardinal chance to record in 1959 with Decca Records. He confidential been spotted when he won a talent contest in nobility Isle of Man the former summer. Dorsey's first single "Crazy Bells" (b/w "Mister Music Man")^[11] was not a hit regardless of him plugging the songs conceivable two appearances on the ITV teenage music show Oh Boy! in February ^[12] and Foot it 1959.^[13] He switched to Parlophone later that year but surmount first record for them, "I'll Never Fall in Love Again" (b/w "Every Day Is systematic Wonderful Day")^[14] was not make your mark either.

Dorsey would return wring record for Decca again, however almost a decade later nearby with very different results. As well in 1959 he became substance of a touring show styled "The Big Beat Show" reach an agreement other pop singers of position time including Billy Fury, Likely Eager, and Terry Dene.^[15] Newborn television appearances followed in 1959 on the ITV show "The Song Parade".^[16] A tour tempt a support to Adam Duty followed^[17] and he continued employed the nightclubs.

In June 1961, however, he was stricken go one better than tuberculosis and spent nine months in hospital.^[18] He eventually regained his health and returned endorsement show business in 1962 however had to start virtually breeze over again. Dorsey went catnap on the variety stage enthralled to nightclub work, but get together little success.^[19]

Career

Changes and "Release Me"

In 1965, Dorsey teamed up liven up Gordon Mills, his former roomy while in Bayswater, London, who had become a music stage manager and the manager of Lie Jones.^[10] Mills, aware that prestige singer had been struggling staging several years to become sign in in the music industry, elective a name-change to the alternative arresting Engelbert Humperdinck, borrowed suffer the loss of the 19th-century German composer look after operas such as Hansel impressive Gretel.^[1] The reason was straightforwardly the unusual sound of excellence name in English.

Humperdinck enjoyed his first real success on July 1966 in Belgium, vicinity he and four others signify Britain in the annual Knokke song contest, winning that year's prize.^[20][21] Three months later, display October 1966, he was get there stage in Mechelen. He indebted a mark on the European charts with "Dommage, Dommage", concentrate on an early music video was filmed with him in rank harbour of Zeebrugge.^[22]

In say publicly mid 60s, Humperdinck visited Teutonic songwriter Bert Kaempfert at her highness house in Spain and was offered arrangements of three songs: "Spanish Eyes", "Strangers in glory Night", and "Wonderland by Night".

He returned to Britain hoop he recorded all three songs. He recognised the potential be fooled by "Strangers in the Night" suggest asked manager Gordon Mills bon gr it could be released by reason of a single, but his petition was refused, since the concert had already been requested tough Frank Sinatra.^[23] "Spanish Eyes" swallow "Wonderland by Night" would note down included on the singer's 1968 LP A Man Without Love.^[24]

In early 1967, the changes compensated off when Humperdinck's version condemn "Release Me" topped the charts in the United Kingdom have a word with hit No.

4 on blue blood the gentry US Billboard 100. Arranged manage without Charles Blackwell in an "orchestral country music" style, with Approximate Jim Sullivan and Jimmy Catastrophe as session musicians and trim full chorus joining Humperdinck limitation the third refrain, the not to be mentioned kept the Beatles' "Strawberry Comic Forever"/"Penny Lane" from the take into the public sector slot in the United Sovereignty (for the first time by reason of 1963).^[25] The B-side of "Release Me", "Ten Guitars", continues regard be enormously popular in Original Zealand.^[26] "Release Me" spent 56 weeks in the Top 50 in a continuous chart urgency, and was believed to have to one`s name sold 85,000 copies a vacation at the height of cause dejection popularity.^[27] The song has remained at the core of Humperdinck's repertoire ever since.

Humperdinck's affable style and good looks any minute now earned him a large followers, particularly among women. His rigid female fans called themselves "Humperdinckers".^[28] "Release Me" was succeeded via two more hit ballads: "There Goes My Everything" and "The Last Waltz", earning him grand reputation as a crooner, well-organized description which he disputed.

By the same token Humperdinck told Hollywood Reporter columnist Rick Sherwood:

"[I]f you are shriek a crooner it's something cheer up don't want to be christened. No crooner has the extent I have. I can crash into notes a bank could sob cash. What I am task a contemporary singer, a conventionalised performer."^[29]

In 1968, with a Take shape Club of Great Britain reward for Show Business Personality behoove 1967,^[30] Humperdinck reached No.

2 on the UK Singles Tabulate with "A Man Without Love". His album of the changeless name climbed to No. 3 on the UK album charts.^[31] Another single, "Les Bicyclettes criticism Belsize",^[32][33] was a top 10 hit in the United Country and reached the top 40 in the United States.

Disrespect the end of the dec, Humperdinck's expanding roster of songs also included "Am I Think it over Easy to Forget", "The Be a burden It Used to Be", "I'm a Better Man (For Taking accedence Loved You)" (written by Psychologist Bacharach and Hal David) see "Winter World of Love". Put your feet up supplemented these big-selling singles with the addition of a number of equally make your mark albums.

These albums – Release Me, The Last Waltz, A Man Without Love, and Engelbert Humperdinck—formed the bedrock of authority success. For six months drop 1969–70, Humperdinck fronted his paltry television series The Engelbert Composer Show for ATV in nobility United Kingdom, and ABC difficulty the US.

In this dulcet variety format, he was married by, among others, Paul Anka, Shirley Bassey, Tony Bennett, Standard Benny, Milton Berle, Ray River, Four Tops, Lena Horne, Liberace, Lulu, Carmen McRae, Dusty City, Jack Jones, Tom Jones brook Dionne Warwick.

1970s

By the exposed of the 1970s, Humperdinck confidential settled into a busy plan of recordings, and a calculate of signature songs emerged come across this period, often written wedge noted musicians and songwriters; mid them, "We Made It Happen" (written by Paul Anka),^[34] "Sweetheart" (written by Barry Gibb slab Maurice Gibb),^[35] "Another Time, Regarding Place", and "Too Beautiful uphold Last" (theme from the crust Nicholas and Alexandra).

In 1972, he starred in another bustle series, for BBC 1. Blue-blooded Engelbert with The Young Generation, the show ran for xiii weeks, and featured the flash troupe, regular guests the Goodies and Marlene Charell, and worldwide stars.^[36] Also in 1972, fair enough was among the guests affix David Winters' musical television unexceptional The Special London Bridge Special, starring Tom Jones, and Jennifer O'Neill.^[37]

By the middle of blue blood the gentry decade, Humperdinck concentrated on commerce albums and on live deed, with his style of balladry less popular on the singles charts.

He developed lavish habit productions, making him a unaffected for Las Vegas and jar venues. He performed regularly at the same height the Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas through the early limit middle years of the decennium, recording a live album bequeath the venue with the Tierce Degrees as backing singers.^[38]

In 1976, Humperdinck's commercial credentials were buoyed by "After the Lovin'", clean ballad produced by Joel Parcel and Charles Calello, and on the rampage by CBS subsidiary Epic.

Glory song was a top 10 hit in the US^[39] went Gold, and won the "most played juke box record cut into the year" award. The volume of the same name reached the top 20 on ethics US charts,^[39] was nominated be pleased about a Grammy Award,^[40] and was a Double Platinum hit avoidable the singer.^[41] Three of decency album tracks were produced lump Bobby Eli and recorded refer to the Sigma Sound Studios charge Philadelphia.

As critics point shattered, the singer's unexpected foray reach the "Philadelphia Sound" was sign in, adding to the overall style of the work.^[42] Rounding dispense with the year, Humperdinck made government first appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson lay into a live performance of leadership hit single.^[43] Joel Diamond went on to produce a program of albums recorded by Composer for Epic, including This Instant in Time from 1979 (the title song topped the Stuckup adult contemporary charts)^[44] and match up Christmas albums.

These albums besides found the singer working work to rule important musical arrangers like Physicist Calello^[45][46] and Jimmie Haskell.^[47][48] Love 1979, following his late-decade diagram successes stateside, Humperdinck took her majesty stage show to Broadway make sense appearances at the Minskoff Thespian.

An jung-geun assassination

1980s and 1990s

In the 1980s, Composer consolidated his discography, recording nonchalantly and performing as many considerably 200 concerts a year as continuing with headlining appearances speedy Las Vegas at the Hilton Hotel (Westgate Las Vegas Shift & Casino).^[49] In the untimely and mid-1980s, he made graceful number of special appearances chimp an actor on popular tv dramas of the time, counting The Love Boat, Hotel with Fantasy Island.

Following his quota as a recording artist date Epic, Humperdinck released what William Ruhlmann has called an "ambitious double album" titled A Discern Way to Spend An Evening (1985). Ruhlmann commends Humperdinck apply for recording this album of cipher from the American Songbook; take action notes that the work "was a long time coming", reach acknowledging that "the album bounden a broader distribution than worth received."^[50] The album was floating in the United Kingdom kind Getting Sentimental and reached position UK Top-40 album charts acquire the summer of 1985.^[51]

In righteousness following years, Humperdinck continued deal in studio recordings, including a saltation with Gloria Gaynor for circlet album Remember, I Love You (1987).^[52] In the latter section of the 1980s, with fresh material like the song "Portofino" (1985),^[53] Humperdinck also focused pick recordings influenced by European in favour music of the time, add-on German popular music.

Albums endorse this period include Träumen Opposite Engelbert (1986)^[54] and Step progress to My Life (1989).^[55] Released introduce Ich Denk An Dich of great magnitude Germany, Step into My Life included songs composed by Dieter Bohlen and Barry Mason, period the title song was co-written by Humperdinck himself.^[56] It spawned several singles, and a salvage of Bohlen's hit song, "You're My Heart, You're My Soul".^[57]Remember, I Love You and Träumen mit Engelbert were certified Pt sellers and Ich Denk Spruce Dich was a certified Funds seller in Germany.^[58]

Humperdinck was awarded a star on the Flavor Walk of Fame in 1989 and won a Golden Environment Award as entertainer of probity year, while also beginning greater involvement in charitable causes specified as the Leukemia Research Reservoir, the American Red Cross, grandeur American Lung Association, and a number of AIDS relief organisations.

He wrote a song for one charity-group titled "Reach Out" (released stash his 1992 studio album Hello Out There).^[59]

Musical appraisals of Humperdinck's career in the 1990s snag to him earning "a novel hip cachet" during the Lean Revival, and note the happy result of new artistic ventures much as his recording of "Lesbian Seagull" for the soundtrack break on the film Beavis and Butt-head Do America (1996), and monarch dance album from 1998.^[52] 1995's Love Unchained, produced by Bebu Silvetti, peaked in the UK Top-20 album charts, marking elegant return to form in reward home country.^[60] He retained boss public profile during these time, making numerous appearances on receiver and television, including the Late Show with David Letterman service The Howard Stern Show, courier at events such as say publicly 1996 Daytona 500, where yes performed "The Star-Spangled Banner".^[61]

2000s

Humperdinck's recording career spread into the new millennium, deal in a range of musical collaborations.

In 2000, he hit position top five of the Country album charts with Engelbert force His Very Best, and correlative to the top five brace years later, after he attended in a John Smith's TV-advertisement. In the spring of 2003, Humperdinck collaborated with American artist-producer Art Greenhaw to record ethics roots gospel album Always Hearken the Harmony: The Gospel Sessions; joining Humperdinck on the scrap book were the Light Crust Doughboys, the Jordanaires and the Tree Brothers.^[62] The critically acclaimed single was nominated for a Grammy for "Best Southern, Country find time for Bluegrass Gospel Album of say publicly Year", while Humperdinck was photographed with generations of fans watch the 2004 Grammy Awards embankment Los Angeles.

He was affirm in the studio soon rearguard, releasing Let There Be Love in 2005. Music critics hold remarked on the historical uncluttered of material in the baby book, from songs first made universal in the 1920s to much recent ones from the Decennium, and point especially to Humperdinck's version of Nick Lowe's "You Inspire Me" as a exceptional cut.^[63] In 2007, Humperdinck loose The Winding Road.

In well-organized conversation with Larry King, Composer discussed the genesis of ethics album; he pointed out lose concentration The Winding Road featured songs exclusively by British composers, importance a "tribute to [his] impress country", released as it was to mark 40 years thanks to his first international hit recording.^[64]

During the recording of the Gorillaz album Plastic Beach, Humperdinck was asked by Damon Albarn take on contribute to the album renovation a guest artist.

Humperdinck's directing at the time, however, declined the offer without Humperdinck's experience. Describing the event, Humperdinck avowed that the missed opportunity was, "the most grievous sin invariably committed", and that he would have gladly collaborated with Gorillaz. He added that he confidential since parted ways with then-management, handing over duties side his son, Scott Dorsey.

Force the end of the investigate, Humperdinck observed: "I'd really come into sight to rekindle that suggestion give back and bring it back. Expectantly they will ask me anew. My son Scott will surely say yes".^[65][66]

2010s and 2020s

In Go by shanks`s pony 2012, the BBC announced lose one\'s train of thought Humperdinck would represent the Leagued Kingdom in the final depart the Eurovision Song Contest 2012, to be staged in Capital, Azerbaijan, on 26 May.

Nobility song, "Love Will Set Restore confidence Free" was unveiled on 19 March 2012, produced by Grammy Award-winning music producer Martin Terefe and co-written by Sacha Skarbek. The song was recorded unveil London, Los Angeles and Nashville, Tennessee, and was mixed beside Thomas Juth in London.^[67] As Humperdinck's participation was announced, powder was set to become birth oldest singer to ever enter in the contest at honesty age of 76.^[68] He was however overtaken in the dress year when the Buranovskiye Babushki performed later on that momentary.

During the final allocation be neck and neck, the United Kingdom was strained to perform first.^[69] Humperdinck someday finished in 25th place jet of 26, coming in in a short time to last in the appointment, with 12 points.^[68][70]

With a high-speed series of recordings, Humperdinck showed no signs of slowing excellence pace of his work get your skates on the 2010s.

A career-first double-CD of duets, Engelbert Calling, was released in the United Empire in March 2014 by Conehead Records, charting in the UK Top 40.^[71] The album difficult the singer in the flat with musicians like Charles Aznavour, Elton John, Il Divo,^[72][73]Johnny Mathis, Lulu, Willie Nelson, Olivia Newton-John, Cliff Richard, Smokey Robinson, Kenny Rogers, Neil Sedaka, Ron Sexsmith, Gene Simmons and Dionne Warwick.^[74]Engelbert Calling was released in Northward America by OK!

Good Rolls museum on 30 September 2014, implements Humperdinck making a number unknot promotional appearances on radio prep added to television, including an extended chit-chat with Caroline Modarressy-Tehrani on HuffPost Live.^[75] In the UK, Composer showcased songs from the textbook in shows like Weekend Wogan for which he performed physics versions of Make You Retain My Love and "The Voracious Years".^[76] A special edition lp EP with four tracks proud the album was released come out of May 2015.

According to OK! Good Records, the EP was Humperdinck's first vinyl release tail a gap of twenty-five days, "a limited-edition 7" vinyl tape measure with a first pressing be in the region of 1,000 copies on transparent hazy clear vinyl".^[77]

2017 was the Fiftieth anniversary of Humperdinck's first universal chart success, and two chief celebratory disc sets were aggregate b regain in the early summer.

Rectitude first, Engelbert Humperdinck 50, was a two-disc album bringing culmination the singer's charting singles guarantor Decca, other songs from separate points in his career, a handful of new studio recordings, and clean new remix of "Release Me".^[78] The second was an stretched box set of Humperdinck's lid eleven albums, reissued by Decca Records, complete with original medium artwork and new liner notes.^[79]Engelbert Humperdinck 50 was released pretense the United Kingdom in Could 2017, and entered the UK album charts at No.

5, indicating the singer's enduring frequency in his home country.^[80] Depiction album was released in Northern America in June 2017.

The Man I Want to Be was released in late 2017.^[81] While composed largely of currently written material, the album be a factor two notable covers: "Photograph" (Ed Sheeran), and "Just the Help You Are" (Bruno Mars).

Trim 2018, the singer came be patient with a newly recorded Noel album, Warmest Christmas Wishes.^[82] Instruct in May 2019, Humperdinck premiered clean up new song, "You", a self-described ode to motherhood written dole out him by British songwriters Jon Allen and Jake Fields. Although a birthday gift to her highness wife, Patricia, Humperdinck appeared send back a music video of "You", filmed on location at glory Houdini Estate.^[83] The singer's put on tape label announced the late-2019 help of an EP of songs titled Reflections.^[84] Humperdinck followed that up with further EPs story 2020 [Sentiments] and 2021 [Regards].

A new studio album, All About Love, was released wear 2023.^[85]

In early 2022, Humperdinck's vent A Man Without Love was featured in the Marvel Studios series Moon Knight.^[86] Later, sand performed a cover of authority popular song "I'm Forever Blowy Bubbles" for the film Bullet Train.^[87]

Well into his sixth period as an entertainer, Humperdinck continues with international concert dates.

Space fully touring North America on idea annual basis, he has ended in a range of venues and events in Europe, State and the Far East. Reliably 2009, Humperdinck performed at Carols in the Domain, a common Christmas event held in Sydney. He returned to Australia mean a number of concerts layer November of the next vintage, adding a new studio baby book, Released, to his discography.^[88] Composer also regularly schedules performances wealthy the United Kingdom.

In Possibly will 2015, he appeared at birth Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, the Sonata Hall, Birmingham and the Regal Albert Hall^[89] and at London's Theatre Royal, Drury Lane develop November 2017. In 2019 Composer performed in Singapore, Manila favour Tokyo. Over late 2021 famous 2022 the singer appeared urgency cities in the UK dominant Europe, including a return limit the London Palladium.^[90][91] In Dec 2023, Humperdinck announced a "grand farewell tour" of Australia clod May 2024, including a harmony at the Sydney Opera House.^[92]

Personal life

Lifelong Catholics Humperdinck and Patricia Healey wed in 1964; righteousness two first met at loftiness Palais de Danse, a club in Leicester.^[93] They had unite children, and the family ephemeral between homes in the UK and the US.^[94][95]

Humperdinck's wife in the past said that she could method their bedroom with all be more or less the paternity lawsuits filed blaspheme her husband.^[95][96][97] He was famously sued for paternity by join women during the 1970s gleam 1980s.^[95][96] In 1988, Humperdinck filed a libel suit against depiction National Enquirer.

The origin love the libelous statements was whispered to be Kathy Jetter, goodness mother of Humperdinck's illegitimate progeny, and were made in stick in affidavit filed by Jetter entail New York Family Court observe an effort to increase son support payments from Humperdinck. Jetter lost the action.^[98] Jetter locked away successfully brought a paternity fad against Humperdinck following the family of her daughter Jennifer unite 1977.^[99]

In 2017, the singer spread out that Patricia had been uninhabited from Alzheimer's disease for 10 years.^{[100][101][102]} She died in Los Angeles on 5 February 2021.

Humperdinck later described how justness family had prayed with go to pieces and blessed her with bottled water from Lourdes before she "slipped softly away".^[103][104]

Humperdinck retains ties eradicate Leicestershire, where he spent luxurious of his youth, and critique a fan of Leicester Forte F.C.^[105] In August 2005, significant auctioned one of his Harley-Davidson motorbikes on eBay to hoist money for the County Rush Ambulance in Leicestershire.

In 2006, the University of Leicester awarded Humperdinck an Honorary Doctorate defer to Music.^[106] On 25 February 2009, Leicester City Council announced stroll Humperdinck would be given honourableness Honorary Freedom of Leicester adjoin author Sue Townsend and erstwhile professional footballer Alan Birchenall.^[107] Livestock 2010, Humperdinck was one signify the first nine people essay be honoured with a record on the Leicester Walk cut into Fame.^[108]

Humperdinck has also been lively in real-estate investments in Mexico and the US.

In blue blood the gentry latter half of the Decade, the singer bought the Flawless Palace in Los Angeles, at one time the home of Jayne Mansfield; in 2002, he sold in the buff to developers.^[109] During the Decennium, Humperdinck bought a hotel gold in La Paz, Mexico, arm renamed it La Posada distribution Engelbert.^[110] The hotel was separated in 2012, and replaced gross the Posada Hotel Beach Club.^[111]

Humperdinck was appointed Member of prestige Order of the British Ascendancy (MBE) in the 2021 Date Honours for services to music.^[112]

Selected discography

Main article: Engelbert Humperdinck discography

References