(OCEAN GROVE, NJ) -- On Saturday, August 6, 2016, at 8:00pm, The Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association proudly presents the one and only Engelbert Humperdinck LIVE! at the Great Auditorium in Ocean Grove, NJ.
Over the course of a career spanning almost 50 years, Humperdinck has sold more than 140 million records, including 64 gold albums and 35 platinum albums. He’s received four Grammy nominations, a Golden Globe, and a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame. He has performed for the Queen four times, as well as several presidents and many heads of state.
Humperdinck, 80, has recorded all sorts of music from the most romantic ballads to movie themes, rock, and even gospel. His unique voice has charmed millions of fans around the globe. It’s not just his vocal talents, however, but the person himself, who has endeared himself to millions around the world with his sense of humor and friendly personality.
Spotlight Central recently had an opportunity to catch up with Engelbert, an Englishman who spends some of his time in California, and he talked about his upcoming show in Ocean Grove, his feelings about his fans, and his musical influences — most notably about The King, Elvis Presley.
Spotlight Central: Do you have a New Jersey connection?
Engelbert Humperdinck: Well, I play there every now and again — so I do come to New Jersey every so often — and I do enjoy performing there.
SC: What can people expect at your upcoming show at the Great Auditorium?
EH: I try to keep my show fresh every year because I frequent the same places most every year. I’ve recorded about 81 albums in my life and I’ve chosen some of the songs from many of these albums and I’ve put them in this show. And I’m happy people seem to like the choices I’ve made.
And, in fact, I’ve taken this show all over the world, so it’s been tried and tested around the globe. Actually, this year, I’ve played places like Egypt and Singapore and Manila and Bangkok. And my next long trip will be New Zealand.
SC: Wonderful! What kind of a band do you have with you on this tour?
EH: I have a ten-piece band which I travel with all the time — which is a great asset to me because it helps me — I don’t have to rehearse very much, (laughs) you know — because I’m already rehearsed! And we just do a short soundcheck… and I’m ready for the show.
SC: So what are some of your favorite songs that you’ll perform?
EH: I’d say most of the standards that I’ve recorded — like “Release Me.” And there will be a big tour next year because I’ll be celebrating the 50th anniversary of that song which not only started my career, but (laughs) stopped the Beatles from having their 13th #1.
SC: How does it make you feel to know that people all over the world enjoy your music?
EH: It’s actually fantastic to go to countries which are non-English speaking and to hear audience members singing the songs along with me. That’s just unbelievable because (pauses)…. how do they learn it? — you know — especially speaking another language?
Like when I go to Russia — many Russian people don’t speak English at all — but, yet, they can sing the songs along with me. How do they do that? (Laughs) And I have to have an interpreter to speak to them!
But it’s just amazing — and I’m really thrilled that I’m able to go to these countries and the people do know my music.
SC: So who are some of your musical influences?
EH: I’ve been very fortunate enough to be able to have met a few wonderful people in my life. And one of my influences was the great Elvis Presley. We became friends. And in the early days before I became known, I used to listen to his music, etc.
But, before that, I think I’d say that Nat King Cole was an influence on me because of his lovely smooth way of singing. I loved his style and I used to listen a lot to his music.
But as far as stage presence? Elvis — I learned a lot just from watching him on stage.
SC: As a child, what made you become interested in becoming a musician?
EH: My mother was the biggest musical influence in my life because she had an amazing voice — a sort of a soprano voice, really — an operatic voice — and she also played the violin. And she was the most musical member of my family — my father was not; he was an army man — so I got it from my mother’s side.
And, as a youngster, I wanted to play the saxophone, so I started my life playing that, but I found that the instrument that really worked for me was inside my throat. So I put down the saxophone at the age of 17 and I brought the voice out… and I think I did the right thing.
SC: We do, too! Do you have anything else you’d like to say to your New Jersey fans?
EH: Well… (laughing) come and see me, because I always have something new to offer….and I hope you’ll enjoy what I bring.
If you’d like to hear Englebert perform such timeless hits as “Release Me,” “A Man Without Love,” and “After the Lovin’” LIVE! in concert, come to The Great Auditorium this Saturday, August 6th, at 8:00 pm. The Great Auditorium, a handicapped-accessible venue, is located at 54 Pilgrim Pathway in Ocean Grove, NJ. Tickets are $50 for general admission seats and $55 for reserved seats and may ordered online at www.oceangrove.org or by phone at 800–590–4064.
