The “King of Romance” Engelbert Humperdinck looks back on six decades of music ahead of Gold Coast show

ENGELBERT Humperdinck says the hairs on the back of his neck “still stand up” when he hears the opening bars of Release Me.

Nearly 60 years after the song famously kept The Beatles from reaching No.1 on the UK singles chart, and ahead of his upcoming Gold Coast performance, the veteran entertainer has reflected on a career that has stretched across generations, shifting music industries and audiences around the world.

Globally recognised as the “King of Romance”, Humperdinck said the image that defined much of his career was helped shape early on by manager Gordon Mills, who also managed Tom Jones.

“Tom Jones did the Rock and Roll and I did the romance,” Humperdinck said.

“That’s how it was put out.”

“So I did all the romantic songs and, fortunately for me, it worked.”

He also reflected on the unusual stage name that helped define his career, saying it was chosen for him by Mills and allowed him to stand out in the industry.

“When you have an unusual name, people take notice of it,” he said.

“I took a name that was kind of long and not very pretty sounding and turned it into a romantic image, which I’m very proud of.”

The singer also recalled the intensity of fan devotion during the height of his fame, when performances were often met with screaming audiences.

“That happened, not to the extent of what The Beatles had to go through… but they did a lot of screaming and it was quite exciting,” he said.

“Don’t forget my career is 59 years old and I think I’ve learned a lot, and my audiences change in their attitude and the way they approach your performance.”

 

“And it’s just different in today’s world, they appreciate the music a lot more now I think, so they listen more, rather than screaming.”

Humperdinck said his life changed dramatically after the release of Release Me in 1967, which became a worldwide phenomenon and famously denied The Beatles a 12th UK number one single.

“I couldn’t believe it myself,” he said.

“It was like a non-entity from nowhere, to be up against the almighty Beatles, who I was a big fan of or still am…”

While the song had been recorded by several artists prior to his version, Humperdinck’s 1967 rendition became a global hit, with the singer crediting the song’s arrangement as a key factor in its success.

He credited arranger Charles Blackwell with helping shape the final sound.

“He did a miraculous job of making that song so recognizable,” Humperdinck said.

“When I hear that introduction, the hairs on the back of my neck still stand up.”

Despite a career spanning more than six decades, Humperdinck said his passion for performing has not faded.

“One thing is for sure, I’m not tired of it,” he said.

“I love my job, I love what I’m doing. I’m still recording.”

He said staying connected with fans has helped sustain his career in the modern era.

“My following is absolutely magnificent,” he said.

 

“It’s like a cult following.”

“Everywhere I go, at all my shows, I’m greeted in a very wonderful way.”

Humperdinck also said social media has become an important tool for maintaining that connection, including his regular “Tuesday Museday” updates.

“I inform my fans around the world what I’m doing that particular week,” he said.

“I read their comments and I pay attention to them because I think it’s important.”

Still, he admits he misses aspects of the old music industry.

“I love the old-fashioned way with vinyl,” he said.

“You could call up the record company and say, “how many did you sell today?”

“It’s something that doesn’t happen in today’s market.”

“You have to find out about downloads and this and that… it’s not the same.”

“That excitement has gone out of recording, really.”

Humperdinck will bring his enduring catalogue of romance to The Star Gold Coast in Broadbeach on July 6 as part of The Celebration Tour 2026.

The show starts at 7pm, with tickets available at Ticketek.