April 20, 2006. Copyright 2006, Graphic News. All rights reserved

Engelbert Humperdinck, king of the romantic ballad, turns 70
By Joanna Griffin

LONDON, April 20, Graphic News:  His choice of stage name meant heÕd never be forgotten. But Engelbert Humperdinck has built his 40-year career on a spine-tingling voice and a collection of memorable ballads that show romance never goes out of fashion. He celebrates his 70th birthday on May 2.

Humperdinck, like his friendly rival Tom Jones, has grown up with legions of mainly female fans whom he first wooed in the 1960s. Their loyalty is one reason that he has outsold many other performers of his generation, but Humperdinck has also shown that his talents can be adapted to the times: a remix of his classic hit Release Me became a dance hit in 1998.

Humperdinck was born Arnold George Dorsey on May 2, 1936, in Madras, India, where his father was an engineer for the British Army. Humperdinck and his nine siblings eventually settled in Leicester in 1943. Apparently, the teenage Humperdinck first decided on the saxophone to express his musical talents, but turned to singing after friends encouraged him to take part in a pub contest. Using the name Gerry Dorsey, he started performing in nightclubs and enjoyed some initial success but soon found that BritainÕs burgeoning rock and roll movement was pushing more traditional pop into the background.

He struggled for several years until he got in touch with former roommate Gordon Mills in 1965. Mills, a singer-songwriter who had moved into artist management, suggested that Dorsey change his name to the much more memorable Engelbert Humperdinck, after the 19th century German operatic composer. Mills also urged him to cultivate an air of mystery and to keep a distance from fans driven wild by his tight leathers and long sideburns. Both ploys were successful, and helped secure a deal with the Decca record label. His first two singles, released in 1966, both missed the charts but the third, the haunting 1967 ballad Release Me, topped the charts and became his signature tune.

Since then the singer has sold more than 140 million records, earned four Grammy nominations and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. After the inevitable wane of his heyday, Humperdinck packed in the crowds on the Las Vegas entertainment circuit.

Throughout his career the singer has battled against being dismissed as a mere ÒcroonerÓ because of his unashamedly romantic style. Possessed of an excellent vocal technique and a three-and-a-half-octave vocal range, he has said: ÒNo crooner has the range I have -- I can hit notes a bank couldnÕt cash. What I am is a contemporary singer, a stylized performer.Ó His 1998 CD, The Dance Album, featuring versions of six of his greatest hits and five original songs set to a dance beat, also went some way to answering those who claim he is a performer out of his time.

Despite his jet-set lifestyle, Humperdinck has maintained a solid family life with his wife, Patricia, and their four children, all of whom are involved in their fatherÕs career in some way.
/ENDS