Engelbert Humperdinck (singer)

Engelbert Humperdinck (singer)

Engelbert Humperdinck (born Arnold George Dorsey, 2 May 1936) is an Anglo-Indian pop singer, best known for his number one hits "Release Me" and "The Last Waltz", as well as "After the Lovin'" and "A Man Without Love".

Born in Madras, India, as a child Dorsey moved to Leicester, England, where he took an early interest in music. Initially playing the saxophone in nightclubs, he soon moved into singing, releasing his first single, "I'll Never Fall in Love Again", in 1958. After struggling with tuberculosis, in the mid-1960s Dorsey returned to his musical career, adopting the stage name "Engelbert Humperdinck" after the German 19th-century composer of operas. Signed to Decca Records, he gained early success in Belgium after representing England in the 1966 Knokke song contest there. Returning to the United Kingdom, he released a string of singles that proved commercially successful both domestically and in the United States. Gaining a devoted fan following, he also fronted a short-lived television series, The Engelbert Humperdinck Show.

Ever since, Humperdinck has continued producing music, to varying critical and commercial success. He represented the United Kingdom in the final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2012, in Baku, Azerbaijan, where he came in 25th place out of 26 with 12 points.