Engelbert Humperdinck

Engelbert Humperdinck: You Ask The Questions

24 February 2005

Engelbert Humperdinck, 68, was born Arnold George Dorsey in Madras, India, one of 10 siblings in a military family. He moved to Leicester when he was 11. After years as a struggling singer, he took on the name of a long-dead German composer, Engelbert Humperdinck, in 1965. Two years later he had his first and best-known hit, "Release Me". He has since sold more than 130 million records and won four Grammies. Last year, he published his autobiography, What's in a Name?, completed a world tour and finished fifth in an international golf tournament. He lives in Los Angeles and Leicester and has three children.

I know Jimi Hendrix used to enjoy watching your performances when you were on tour together in the 1960s. What did you think of him?
Eric Montfort, Malta

That was my first UK tour and Cat Stevens was also on the bill. Jimi was an incredible performer; he had loads of energy and used to play his guitar with his teeth. He saved my bacon once when my guitarist fell ill just before the show was due to start. "Don't worry," he said, "I'll play for you". I told him he couldn't just walk on stage with me - he was much too big a star. So he played behind the curtain; it sounded as though I had three guitarists instead of one that night.

How do you marry sex appeal with your love of golf?
Bob Thompson, Hatfield

You haven't seen me play golf.

Download releaseme.mid