Some people look forward to taking it easy as they get older but Engelbert Humperdinck is the opposite of that.
Originally scheduled for Sept. 15 at Rialto Square Theatre, the singer performs at the Joliet venue April 27, just days before his 87th birthday on May 2, when he will celebrate by releasing a 13-track album including his interpretations of classic love songs via OK! Good Records.
“I like playing theaters. I look forward to playing again this time around and I’m sure I’ll see a lot of old, familiar faces in the audience because it’s a place I played a lot. So many familiar faces will be there in the front row,” Humperdinck said.
“I’ll be doing my show that has been tried and tested around the world. The standards that people have heard and want to hear and love, I’ll be doing those songs plus I’ve just recorded a brand-new album called ‘All About Love.’
“I’ll be including some of the songs from that album to introduce them to my audience. I hope they enjoy my choice of material.”
Many people were introduced to Humperdinck when he released the single “Release Me” from his 1967 debut album of the same name.
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“It started my life,” said Humperdinck about the hit originally released by Eddie Miller and previously recorded by several artists including Ray Price.
Originally a saxophonist, Humperdinck turned to vocals when he was asked who his agent was after performing during a singing contest at a pub.
“Actually, I started when I was 17 and I was in a little club. People were getting up and singing so I got up and sang and I got a standing ovation,” said Humperdinck, who was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1989.
“That encouraged me to get into show business so I did that and here I am all these many years later.”
Humperdinck was awarded the honor of Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire via The Queen’s Birthday Honours 2021 lists, which included the late Queen Elizabeth II recognizing him under his birth name of Arnold George Dorsey for services to music.
The balladeer first performed as Gerry Dorsey and eventually adopted the name of late German composer Engelbert Humperdinck, who wrote the opera “Hansel and Gretel,” as his stage name.
“The fact that I can go into any country in the world and people recognize my music and they sing along with me is quite a feat that doesn’t happen in today’s world unless you get really lucky,” said Humperdinck, whose hits include “The Last Waltz,” “This Moment in Time” and “Lesbian Seagull” from the movie “Beavis and Butt-Head Do America.”
“I’m just happy to live in the era where I had all those gold and platinum records from all over the world. It’s wonderful to (see) my work I’ve done over the years around the walls of my home.”
Humperdinck’s Grammy nominations include best Southern, country, or bluegrass gospel album for 2003’s “Always Hear the Harmony: The Gospel Sessions” and best pop vocal performance, male for 1976’s “After the Lovin’.”
“Stay with me and keep following me because I’m not going to quit,” he said.
Engelbert Humperdinck
When: 7:30 p.m. April 27
Where: Rialto Square Theatre, 102 N. Chicago St., Joliet
Tickets: $48.50-$73.50
Information: 815-726-6600; rialtosquare.com
Jessi Virtusio is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.