KWXY Presents ● An Interview with Engelbert Humperdinck

Engelbert Humperdinck - Album Cover / Release Me, 1967 on Parrot

Engelbert Humperdinck is a British pop singer with a career spanning more than fifty years.  He has sold more than 140 million records worldwide which include both gold and platinum albums and several number one singles. 

He was born Arnold George Dorsey in Madras, British India to Mervyn Dorsey, a British army officer and his wife, Olive.  At age 10, he and his family moved to Leicester, England where he soon began playing saxophone in nightclubs. 

He dreamed of a career in music which was put on temporary hold after he was drafted into the British Army Royal Corps of Signals.  His first recording with Decca Records was “I’ll Never Fall In Love Again,” a song which failed to become a hit.  Tuberculosis sidelined his nightclub career in 1961 until his return to health. 

In 1965, his friend and notable manager Gordon Mills suggested a name change to help attract attention.  The name chosen was that of 19th century German composer Englebert Humperdinck.  His breakout hit under his new stage name was “Release Me” in 1967, spending a continuous 56 weeks on the Top 50 chart.

In the 1970s, Humperdinck’s career skyrocketed.  Although his musical style had become less popular, he continued a busy schedule of recording and concert appearances, most notably as a frequent act at the Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. 

Engelbert Humperdinck / Radio Station photo collection / author unknown

Engelbert Humperdinck continues to actively tour worldwide and in 2021, he was awarded the Honor of Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II. 

Listen to Music and an Interview with Engelbert Humperdinck today at 1pm on KWXY Music Radio 92.3FM ● 1340AM ● streaming at kwxy.com and ivoxradio.com