In his early days, one of his many hits would have been the opening number of the dance floor at a South African wedding. That’s why international music legend, Engelbert Humperdinck (pictured), returns to local shores this November for a series of intimate shows.
His name comes from the 19th-century Austrian composer who wrote the opera, Hansel und Gretel. He has been a legend in the music industry for 40 plus years. With more than 150 million records sold, he has a fan base of millions with a loyal local following.
Humperdinck will soon be singing his popular hits such as (Please) Release Me and the unforgettable Quando, Quando, Quando at the Grand Arena, Cape Town for one show only on November 21, followed by two shows at the Teatro at Montecasino on November 24 and 25.Tickets are on sale at Computicket.
This is an opportunity to enjoy the music of this crooner up close and personal as he performs many of his evergreen hits such as After The Lovin’, Spanish Eyes, The Last Waltz, Am I That Easy To Forget?, There Goes My Everything, Les Bicyclettes de Belsize, Winter World Of Love and This Moment In Time.
“I can’t wait to go back to South Africa,” says Humperdinck. “I have some wonderful memories from past concerts in the country. I would like to show people what I’m doing now including my new duet album called Engelbert Calling.”
Major forces in the world of rock ’n’ roll, including Jimi Hendrix and The Carpenters, started as opening acts for Humperdinck in the late ’60s, ’70s and ’80s. And Humperdinck took a No 1 away from The Beatles, as well!
It was Humperdinck, not Elvis, who made famous the sideburns and flamboyant leather jumpsuits and the two often performed one another’s songs and enjoyed a lasting friendship until Elvis’s death. Humperdinck has also always enjoyed a healthy rivalry with his contemporary Tom Jones and they partnered for 10 years and shared a manager for many more.
Last year, Engelbert completed recording his first duets CD, Engelbert Calling, featuring tracks with Sir Elton John, Willie Nelson, Shelby Lynne, Charles Aznavour, Johnny Mathis, Sir Cliff Richard, Neil Sedaka, Dionne Warwick, Kenny Rogers, Lulu, Beverly Knight and Gene Simmons, to name a few. The first single in the UK was the duet with Richard which went straight onto BBC radio 2 A list and became the most-played independent single of the year.
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 might rest easy on his laurels. Hardly.
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.
This is probably the last chance local fans will have to watch this legend perform live.
TOUR DETAILS
JOBURG: Teatro at Montecasino
Tuesday, November 24 and 25 at 8pm
Wednesday, 25 November at 8pm
Computicket or Montecasino Group Hospitality Packages (20plus tickets). Contact [email protected]
Online: www.showtime.co.za; www.facebook.com/showtimemanagementsa; www.montecasino.co.za; www.facebook.com/OfficialEngelbertHumperdinck.
CAPE TOWN: Grand Arena, GrandWest
Saturday, November 21
Web: www.grandwest.co.za; Hashtag: @GrandWestSA; Facebook: www.facebook.com/ GrandWestCasinoAndEntertainmentWorld
Instagram: Instagram.com/grandwestsa/.