Engelbert Humperdinck to play Mayo PAC
Engelbert Humperdinck may have been half-kidding when he released an album called "The Last of the Romantics." Considering that the LP came out close to 40 years ago, the title may be even more appropriate.
However, Humperdinck feels that there are plenty of romantics still out there. "Romance is the key," he says, noting that he performs Ed Sheeran's song "Thinking Out Loud" in his current live show.
"Ballads are, for me, the way to go," he says. "I stamped my style early on with love songs." With a chuckle, he adds, "It wasn't a bad vein to stay in."
That vein has not run dry, even after 50 years as a performer. Humperdinck's name has been synonymous with love songs, from "Release Me" to the selections on his new "Engelbert Calling," a double-disc collection of duets.
Humperdinck will draw from that career when he appears at the Mayo Performing Arts Center tonight.
His career actually predates the name under which most people know him. He was born Arnold George Dorsey in British India in 1936. His family moved to Leicester, England, when he was young.
"I always wanted to be a musician," he says. "Because of my last name, I wanted to have an orchestra, like Tommy or Jimmy Dorsey." As a teen, he started playing saxophone with bands in clubs and eventually began singing.
At that time, he was performing as "Gerry Dorsey." "That was my apprenticeship," he says. "I put in my time."
In the mid-1960s, the singer teamed up with his friend Gordon Mills as manager. Mills suggested that Dorsey change his name. He settled on Engelbert Humperdinck, the name of a 19th Century German composer best known for the opera "Hansel and Gretel."
In 1967, Humperdinck heard a recording of "Release Me," a song that had been sung by R&B and country artists. "That was the song that changed my life," he says. "I heard the melody, and I knew I had to record it."
"Release Me" became the hit that Humperdinck hoped it would be. He observes with some pleasure that the song reached Number One in the United Kingdom, thwarting the Beatles' recording of "Penny Lane."
There followed a string of successful songs. Not coincidentally, Humperdinck's handsome face became a familiar presence on TV variety shows.
In some ways, "Engelbert Calling" represents a summation of his career. The album kicks off with a duet with Elton John.
"I was listening to an interview with Elton," Humperdinck says. "He talked about when he was a struggling songwriter, hoping someone like Engelbert Humperdinck would record one of his songs. It took us a while, but now we've finally done it."
Humperdinck also notes with pride that he sings "She" with the legendary French crooner Charles Aznavour, who was 90 at the time of the recording.
Other tracks were recorded with collaborators who may seem an unlikely fit, such as Willie Nelson or Shelby Lynne. Perhaps the most outré choice is "Spinning Wheel," which he cut with Gene Simmons – yes, the same Gene Simmons from Kiss.
But Humperdinck says he felt an affinity for all the artists, including Simmons. "Gene is a dynamite person in the studio," he says.
But the partners to whom he feels closest are the two singers who end each of the two CDs in "Engelbert Calling": his daughter Louise Dorsey and his son Bradley Dorsey.
"I always knew they could sing," Humperdinck says. "Louise isn't interested in having a career. But Brad is still trying to make it in this business. It's hard. You have to be prepared to take 'No' and then go back again."
At age 78, Humperdinck says he retains the ability – and the desire – to continue singing. "I still have a range of three-and-a-half octaves," he says. "I'm still making people happy. I'm very lucky."
ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK
WHAT: The vocalist, one of the premiere romantic balladeers of the late 1960s and 1970s, performs songs from his 50-year career, including "Release Me," "After the Lovin'," and selections from his new "Engelbert Calling" double-disc of duets.
WHEN: TBA
WHERE: Mayo Performing Arts Center, 100 South St., Morristown.
TICKETS: $49 to $89