Engelbert Humperdinck: King of Romance
Ranked #501 in Music, #11,562 overall
Engelbert Humperdinck: From "Release Me" to Eurovision 2012
Engelbert Humperdinck's first huge hit came in 1967 with "Release Me', which reached the top of the music charts internationally. Other early hits were "The Last Waltz", "A Man Without Love", "Am I That Easy to Forget", "Spanish Eyes", "There Goes My Everything"; and "The Way It Used to Be". Although renown for his love ballads and known as the King of Romance, he has also recorded and performed other genres such as country, jazz, rock, and spiritual. Forty-five years later, Engelbert is still recording and touring the world and was selected to represent Great Britain in the 2012 Eurovision competition. The Eurovision 2012 competition took place in Baku, Azerbaijan, from May 24 to May26, 2012, with Engelbert making it into the final round of competition.
In the spring of 2011, I saw Engelbert in concert for the second time and he is still an amazing singer/entertainer. He has an excellent band and this along with his vocals, song selection, charm and wit make for a very enjoyable show.
{Image credit AllPosters.com]
Article copyright Heidi Brault.
© 2011 Heidi Brault. All Rights Reserved
Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.}
Engelbert: Early Years
From Arnold Dorsey to Engelbert Humperdinck
Born Arnold George Dorsey to British parents on May 2, 1936, in Madras, India (now Chennai). Engelbert Humperdinck's father was an engineer in the British Army and his mother was an opera singer/musician. His family moved to Leicester, England, in the early 40s. As a youth, he learned to play the saxophone and was encouraged to sing in a pub for the first time when he was a teenager. Fame did not come overnight and he struggled to make a living as a singer in clubs for a number of years. He also served in Germany as part of the British Army for two years, where he sang and also entertained by doing imitations of other artists, Jerry Lewis being one of them. As a result his first name change was to Gerry Dorsey, which he worked under for close to a decade. He also had to deal with serious health issues - he suffered from tuberculosis when he was in his mid-twenties. It wasn't until about a decade later that Gordon Mills, his manager at the time, suggested the name Engelbert Humperdinck (from the German composer) as part of a fresh start to his career. It worked![Photo: Engelbert Humperdinck (on the right) poses after giving a concert in a Belgian café, named "Club nr. 1", October 1966. Photo courtesy of photographer Mechelen Van Daele on Wikimedia Commons. Creative Commons]
Memories
I vividly remember watching Engelbert's show in the late 60s. His "look" back then was comprised of dark, slightly longish hair, a black suit and bow tie, and those famous sideburns. If you're too young to remember, take a look at a few videos!
Engelbert: Early Hits
Engelbert Humperdinck's Early Hits
"Release Me", Engelbert's first big hit, was released on January 13, 1967. Featured videos include "Release Me", "Am I That Easy to Forget", Spanish Eyes, "A Man Without Love", "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight", "Les Bicyclettes de Belsize", "Love Me With All of Your Heart", and "The Last Waltz".
curated content from YouTube
Engelbert with Other Artists
Engelbert Humperdinck - Performances with Other Artists
Engelbert with Dean Martin, Dusty Springfield, Anna Moffo, Tom Jones and Billy Preston, as well as a duet with his daughter, Louise Dorsey.
curated content from YouTube
Engelbert: 1970s
Engelbert Humperdinck: Videos from the 1970s
These videos feature a few of Engelbert's hits from the 1970s: Can't Take My Eyes Off of You, I Wish You Love, and After the Loving. "After the Loving" is a video of an appearance on the Johnny Carson Show. The fourth video dates back to 1974 with Engelbert singing a medley.
curated content from YouTube
Engelbert: 1980s & 1990s
Engelbert Humperdinck: Videos from the 80s and 90s
The videos featured here are of Engelbert singing "Help Me Make it Through the Night", "Hello", the nostalgic Domage Domage, and a medley of "The Last Waltz/Feelings".
curated content from YouTube
Engelbert: 2000 - 2011
Engelbert Humperdinck: Videos from 2000 to 2011
These videos feature Engelbert singing "Love is a Many Splendored Thing", "My Way", "Eternally", "Too Young", "I Wish You Love" and a medley of his hits.
curated content from YouTube
Engelbert Humperdinck 2012
Love Will Set You Free - Song for 2012 Eurovision Contest
Engelbert Humperdinck will be representing Great Britain and singing "Love Will Set Your Free" at the 2012 Eurovision contest. The first video is the official Great Britain entry for the contest; the second video is an interview with Engelbert regarding the song "Love Will Set You Free" and Eurovision 2012.
curated content from YouTube
Engelbert Humperdinck - Poll
The Engelbert Humperdinck Show - Poll
{Photo of Engelbert Humperdinck taken in 2009, courtesy of author Wayne Dilger on Wikimedia Commons. Creative Commons}
Loading poll. Please Wait...
Engelbert - Articles and Interviews
Articles on British Entertainer Engelbert Humperdinck
- Engelbert Humperdinck
- Offical site of Engelbert Humperdinck. Includes tour dates, news and media.
- Concertful.com - Engelbert Humperdinck
- Engelbert Humperdinck concert schedule for 2011.
- Engelbert Humperdinck (singer)
- Article on Engelbert Humperdinck, including a short biography, hit songs and albums.
- Engelbert Humperdinck is UK Eurovision Act 2012
- Article from BBC news on Engelbert Humperdinck.
- The Telegraph - Article on Engelbert
- Article on Engelbert Humperdinck and Eurovision 2012 (The Telegraph).
- Eurovision 2012 - Engelbert on Eurovision
- Article on Engelbert Humperdinck on Eurovision 2012.
- Engelbert - Rehearsals for Eurovision 2012
- Article and photographs of Engelbert at Eurovision rehearsals.
- Eurovision - Engelbert Rehearses at Crystal Hall
- Photos and article on Engelbert regarding the rehearsala th Crystal Hall in Baku, Azerbaijan.
- Eurovision - Interview Prior to Final Day of Competition
- Interview and article on Englebert Humperdinck prior to the final day of competition in Baku, Azerbaijan, for Eurovision 2012.
Honorary Degree - Engelbert Humperdinck
Honorary Dr. of Music
Engelbert Humperdinck was awarded an Honorary Dr. of Music degree by the University of Leicester in January 2006. This video features the presentation of the award and his acceptance speech.
curated content from YouTube
Engelbert Humperdinck - Poster
Engelbert - Photo
Interview with Engelbert Humperdinck - 2012
BBC Breakfast Interview with Engelbert
Interview with Engelbert Humperdink when he appeared on BBC Breakfast, during which he discusses his career, songs, and Eurovision 2012.
curated content from YouTube
Engelbert's Autobiography
Autobiography - Engelbert Humperdinck
Read about this famous singer's fascinating journey to stardom and his ongoing career.
More Articles Featuring Engelbert Humperdinck
Engelbert on Squidoo
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Engelbert on DVD
Engelbert Humperdinck DVDs
Select your favorite Engelbert Humperdinck DVD.
Engelbert on MP3
Engelbert Humperdinck - Songs on MP3
Engelbert's songs on MP3.
Engelbert - Vinyl Albums
Engelbert Humperdinck vinyl albums (remember those?).
Your Turn!
Hope you enjoyed your visit!
My guestbook is open for comments from visitors and Squidoo members. Let me know you've dropped by.
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Angel_Lou
May 30, 2012 @ 1:58 am | delete
- Well, I can't say I really am a fan of any kind, but I love musical lenses on general. One can feel the passion about this lens and that's important really. Great lens!
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AlleyCatLane
May 24, 2012 @ 5:16 pm | delete
- He does have a beautiful voice, but I could never quite get past the name.
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OhMe May 18, 2012 @ 9:49 am | delete
- Engelbert Humperdinck was indeed the King of Romance. I loved this lens.
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SugarB May 2, 2012 @ 10:08 am | delete
- One of my favorites - not only can he sing, he's handsome!
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MiddleSister
Apr 24, 2012 @ 8:10 pm | delete
- My mom used to listen to a popular music station that played his songs.
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Although I have written a number of travel articles on Spain and Italy, I have also created lenses on various musical genres, travel gifts, European geography, Indo-European languages, Halloween costumes, food, gift baskets, gourmet items, spirituality, fashion, jewelry, and decor.
by traveller27
Hello! My passions include traveling(especially to Europe), spiritual development, travel writing, singing/music and foreign languages. My career path... more »
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