Master of Love Songs & Ballads

Today in Music History: September 6

Dorsey? Ever heard of him? Well, perhaps in the movie Cutting Edge but it is not the movies that is the topic of the day but music instead. Let's examine the entire name instead of focusing only on a last name. What about Arnold George Dorsey? Still no clue. If that name is not familiar then perhaps you know him as...

Engelbert Humperdinck This self-described dreamer and loner was born Arnold George Dorsey on May 2, 1936 in Madras, India. He dropped out of school at the age of 15 and after a stint doing National Service in Germany, he began singing in men's clubs. At this time he sang under the name of Gerry Dorsey barely scraping by financially. Under advice of his manager (who also worked with Tom Jones), the stage name of Englebert Humperdink was adopted, the same name as the late 19th century German composer and creator of the opera Hansel and Gretel. 

1967 Engelbert Humperdinck was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'The Last Waltz', the singers second UK No.1, selling over 1.17 million copies. In the US, 'The Last Waltz' reached number 25 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and made the top ten of the easy listening chart. It was the standard closing anthem at discos and dance halls for many years. Humperdinck won a Golden Globe in 1988 as Entertainer of the Year. He also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

An ultra smooth balladeer, Engelbert Humperdinck was often billed as "The King of Romance." For his millions of fans around the world, he definitely met the challenge and lived up to the name being credited as one of the finest middle-of-the-road balladeers around, a sensitive lyric interpreter with excellent vocal technique and a three-and-a-half-octave vocal range. During his heyday in the late '60s and early '70s, Humperdinck cultivated the image of a mysterious heartthrob, sporting shaggy sideburns and a flamboyant wardrobe that, when coupled with his rich, silky crooning, drove female fans wild.

If you liked 'The Last Waltz', perhaps you will enjoy the following...

 

   

And the music goes on beating to the rhythm of the changing times...