Engelbert Humperdinck
Legacy of Love bio
Rarely has one artist sustained such an enduring and devoted bond with generations of passionate admirers, some who first fell in love with the rugged young singer who proved the only artist able to keep The Beatles from the top of the charts at the height of their fame; others were not yet born when Release Me topped the UK/US charts in 1967 -- but subsequently fell under the spell of this unparalleled performer, the quintessential romantic balladeer.
In addition to having conquered the concert stage and while sustaining an unequalled recording career, "Enge" -- as friends and fans alike know him -- has been heard on such diverse soundtracks as Showtime's award-winning series Weeds, the indy hit, Romance and Cigarettes starring James Gandolfini and Susan Sarandon, and Beavis & Butthead do America.
It's been an amazing journey for the man born Arnold George Dorsey in Madras, India, the youngest of ten children born to British army officer Mervyn Dorsey and his wife, Olive. The family returned to England when Engelbert was 10. From an early age, he had a passion for music. He scrimped and saved his weekly paper route salary to pay for lessons on his beloved saxophone, all the while dreaming of being a bandleader.
His life came to a profound crossroads at the age of 17, when he first sang on a public stage. He changed his name to Gerry Dorsey and found early success performing in the UK. A stint in the military and a bout of tuberculosis temporarily put his dreams on hold. But his passion never wavered. At the suggestion of his then-manager, Gordon Mills, he decided to reinvent himself with a new, mysterious image. Once more, this led to a new name: that of the noted 19th century German composer of such classic operas as Hansel and Gretel. Thus was born the phenomenon known as Engelbert Humperdinck.
By the time his first mega-hit Release Me went to #1 in 11 countries, the London Times crowned him, "The premier voice of the 20th century". His inimitable three-and-a--half octave range and ultra smooth onstage charisma won over fans of every generation, in every part of the globe.
His career in the '70s was punctuated by a steady stream of hits including the Grammy nominated After the Lovin'. Other highlights throughout the decade included: Winter World Of Love, Am I That Easy To Forget, The Last Waltz, There Goes My Everything, Les Bicyclettes De Belsize, This Moment In Time, and A Man Without Love. The demand for his music was so strong he recorded many multi-language versions of his most popular songs.
One of the world's most instantly recognized voices, Engelbert's music has withstood the test of time thanks to his sensitive interpretation of lyrics. He has never limited himself to just one genre, recording everything from pop to disco, rock and gospel.
Engelbert has performed for countless international dignitaries including Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II and several U.S. Presidents. In 1978 he received a "Georgie Award" from the American Guild of Variety Artists recognizing him as "Entertainer of the Year", an honor shared by such exemplary artists as Barbra Streisand, Barry Manilow and Johnny Carson. In 1988, the opening ceremony of the Seoul Summer Olympics included his performance of One World -- a performance seen by over 5 billion people around the world. The following year, he was honored with a star on the prestigious Hollywood Walk of Fame.
He received his second Grammy nomination for the 2003 album, Always Hear The Harmony. The following year, his autobiography Engelbert: What's In A Name? made it's way onto the best-seller lists giving readers an intimate look at not only his career and family, but also the eventful life he has led. In addition to these professional accolades, he has received countless honors for his commitment to numerous charitable causes, including the Leukemia Research Fund, the American Lung Association, "Reach Out," an organization dedicated to AIDS education and the needs of HIV-infected children, and
the International Red Cross. For his hometown of Leicester, he serves as the Patron for the County Air Ambulance charity.
In 2006, the University of Leicester awarded him the title of "Doctor of Music". In 2009, the city bestowed upon him the coveted title of "Freedom of City". In 2009, the UK Variety's Club awarded him their highest honors, recognizing his outstanding contributions to the entertainment community as well as his charitable work. In October of '09 Engelbert's name was added to Las Vegas's legendary Walk of Stars.
When not on tour, Engelbert and his beloved wife of 44 years, Patricia, divide their time between their homes in England and California. Together they raised four children -- Louise, Jason, Scott and Bradley -- each successful in their individual endeavors. During his off-time Engelbert enjoys relaxing with golf, tennis, water-skiing, writing poetry, practicing karate, maintaining a world-class wine cellar and riding his prized collection of Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
The Legacy of Love between Engelbert and his audience continues, an unstoppable force. He remains the consummate global entertainer, a rare example of unequaled style and sophistication. He continues to perform for sold out audiences and his millions of fans all over the world. His popularity crosses every generation and gender. His fan club is one of the largest in the world, with 250 active chapters. And he never takes his fans' appreciation for granted. With each day he continues to seek out and conquer new creative challenges, designed to keep his fans surprised, satisfied and eager to come back for more.
Engelbert's music has transcended time. He is a true icon of entertainment. And, as he's proven throughout his career, the best is yet to come.
Engelbert's son Scott Dorsey / Dorsey Productions represent Engelbert exclusively in Australia and New
Zealand.
--Shelly Goldstein
March 2010
Mellen Events and STAGERITE Pty Ltd