Legendary vocalist Engelbert Humperdinck is performing at the NYCB Theatre at Westbury Sunday, Oct. 13. With more than 150 million records sold and hits such as “Release Me,” “The Last Waltz,” “After The Lovin’” and “A Man Without Love,” Humperdinck has been in the international music industry for the last 40 years.
He has recorded some of the most romantic ballads of the past several decades, and his voice and has endeared him to millions of fans around the globe. Few people realize that several of the major forces in the world of rock n’ roll, including Jimi Hendrix and The Carpenters, started out as opening acts for Humperdinck in the late ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s. Let’s not forget Humperdinck taking No. 1 away from the Beatles, as well.
With four Grammy nominations, a Golden Globe for “Entertainer of the Year” (1988), 63 gold and 24 platinum records and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Humperdinck could rest easy on his laurels.
But in the past few years, he has joined in elite group of musical artists, such as Tony Bennett and Burt Bacharach, who have crossed over successfully to strike a new chord with a younger generation in addition to their core audiences. Humperdinck has appeared on several MTV programs, including two appearances on “MTV Beach House”, “Chilling with the Weaze” and “Oddville.”
In 1999, Humperdinck recorded “The Dance Album” as his first album in the dance genre. Released by the dance label Interhit Records, the album featured newly recorded dance versions of six of Engelbert’s greatest hits, along with five original songs.
Favorites such as “Quando, Quando, Quando” and “Release Me” are set to an infectious dance beat by dance producers/remixers Chris Cox and Barry Harris, known collectively as Thunderpuss 2000. The album has enjoyed tremendous success, with “Release Me” hitting top 10 on the Billboard Dance charts. Billboard magazine said of “The Dance Album,” “…brilliantly cool…one of the most fun pop/dance albums of the decade.”
Few people realize that it was Humperdinck, not Elvis, who made famous the sideburns and flamboyant leather jumpsuits. Engelbert often jokingly asserts that Elvis “stole” the image from him. Nevertheless, the two legends often performed one another’s songs and enjoyed a lasting friendship until Elvis’ death.
Romance serves as the core of Humperdinck’s music and lasting success. He knows how to pick songs with eternal themes of love and longing, and lovers always want to hear them sung.
Engelbert has just about finished recording a brand new CD with Grammy award winning producer Martin Terefe (Train, Jason Mraz, James Morrison and Beverly Knight)
Engelbert called on many of his friends and fellow singers to record with him for his first duets CD. Sir Elton John, Smokey Robinson, Willie Nelson, Dionne Warwick and Neil Sedaka are amongst the illustrious line up of people who said yes.
“Engelbert Calling” is due for release in the UK on Oct. 24 of this year and before valentines day 2014 in the U.S. and rest of world.
Don’t miss Engelbert showcasing some of these songs (along with his greatest and most requested hits) including a virtual duet with Elton John when he appears at the NYCB Theatre. The show begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $49.50 plus applicable service charges and are available now online at www.ticketmaster.com, charge by phone at (800) 745-3000 or at the Westbury box office. Event, date and time are subject to change. For more information, visit: www.thetheatreatwestbury.com.
