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QUESTIONNAIRE: Engelbert Humperdinck
7/ 3/2005
What would be your perfect day? Spending the morning playing golf, the afternoon at home in Leicester with my wife Pat and the kids before a live performance in the evening. After all these years, the thrill of a singing to a packed crowd is just as intense as it ever was.
What is your greatest extravagance? It used to be shirts because of the volume I had. I used to take 140 shirts on tour with me as they used to get ripped off my back so I had to take plenty with me - but now I think it has to be my Harley. I love my bike, being free on the road just my bike, the wind and me.
What is the most exciting thing you ever received
through the post? The first draft of my autobiography,
What's In A Name.
What's your idea of a perfect meal? Being
with Pat, my wife, in a nice restaurant that isn't very busy, where
I can relax and enjoy great food, fine wine and lovely
company.
Do you have a favourite hangover cure? I very
rarely get drunk. I'm on tour so much that the most I ever drink is
a couple of glasses of wine.
What vehicle, if any, do you own? I own quite
a lot of vehicles some here in the UK and some in LA. Although I
have recently bought a Jag for practical reasons, and of course I
also have my Harley.
What is the first job you ever had? I served
two years in the army between 1954 and 1956.
Do you have any irrational fears? It's not
exactly irrational but I do fear giving up performing hard to
digest after 38 years.
What is the oldest item of clothing you still
wear? Mmm, tough one - probably my suits as they are made
to fit.
Who do you love? My wife Patricia, my kids
and family. And of course I love my fans.
Who, or what, do you hate? I hate journalists
that misinterpret things that I say and I also hate the way the
past is constantly dragged up.
What newspapers or magazines do you read?
Most of my time is spent on planes, on tour buses and in hotels so
I read whatever the crew have bought. I generally read anything and
everything.
What is your favourite book? If there had to
be one - the Bible. But to be honest I don't get a lot of time to
read books, as I don't like starting something that I won't have
the time to finish.
What is your favourite TV programme? I love
shows like Pop Idol and X-Factor. I watch them all the time. I
think finding real talent from the streets is a great idea. It is a
hard business and I fully support new artists and know how
difficult it is to get a recording deal in this industry. I think
the people who enter them are very brave and most of them have a
great deal of talent that wouldn't otherwise get noticed.
What was the first record you ever bought?
Goodness, I can't actually remember, but I know my record
collection back in the day consisted of all the greats, Elvis, Dean
Martin, Frank Sinatra etc
Where do you go to relax? I go to the golf
course near my house in Leicester. I love golf.
What is your most annoying habit? Personally
I don't think I have any but if you ask my wife she may
disagree!
What is your favourite journey? The journey
from wherever I am to my Leicester home. I have a second house in
LA, which I use when I'm in the States, but Leicester is where my
heart is.
What is your favourite part of Manchester?
Manchester is a great city with a real buzz and atmosphere about
it. I'm looking forward to performing at Bridgewater Hall; it is a
real pleasure to perform there. The crowds are always very
welcoming.
What is your ultimate ambition? To be honest,
I have fulfilled it; I just hope my performing will last as long as
possible.
What is your greatest achievement? Recently
re-signing to Decca to create the Let There Be Love album. They
were my original record labels all those years ago. It was great
for me to come back to them.
Choose three people, dead or alive, to invite to
dinner: Dean Martin, Elvis and Frank Sinatra - it would
be like old times!
Which person has most influenced you? Dean
Martin was a big influence. He was very kind to me and really
helped me to get set up in Vegas; at the time I was the only
British performer he put his name behind. He invited me to be part
of "Dino's Den", a club you couldn't be part of without Dean's
invitation, where he introduced me to all the big stars. A little
help from Dino meant that my opening night at the Riviera was a
full house. Dean came with Frank Sinatra, and Sammy Davis Jar and
we had a big night out after the show.
If you could be anyone else, who would you
be? I couldn't think of anyone I'd rather be than myself.
I am a very lucky and happy man.
Do you . . .
believe in God? Yes
believe in love at first sight? Yes - I met
my wife 40 years ago and fell in love - we are still in love
now.
know who's number one in the charts? Not at
the moment, I have been very busy promoting my Let There Be Love
album so unfortunately haven't had time to keep up with the
charts.
support the death penalty? Tough one
sing in the bath? Of course
What would you like to be your epitaph? You
have finally 'Released Me!' (ha ha ha)
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