Q&A: Singer Engelbert Humperdinck on his 50-year career and performing with his granddaughter

Singer Engelbert Humperdinck, 81, has enjoyed a more than 50-year career in the music industry.

The legendary singer has sold more than 140 million records, including 64 gold albums and 35 platinum. He also earned four Grammy nominations, a Golden Globe and stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Las Vegas Walk of Fame and the Leicester Walk of Fame.

Humperdinck now is on tour for his latest album, “The Man I Want to Be,” and will be coming to the Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet at 8 p.m. April 21.

Visit the Rialto Square Theatre's website or call 815-726-6600 to buy tickets.

Herald-News reporter Alex Ortiz caught up with Humperdinck for a Q&A session before his visit to Joliet. This interview was edited for brevity and clarity.

Ortiz: So what have you been up to these past few years?

Humperdinck: Well, last year we celebrated my 50th anniversary in show business, and it was just a great year because I did a world tour again. Decca released a box set album of 11 for me, which was from 1967 to 1974, which sold a staggering amount of
120 million albums in those seven years. Would you believe that? I mean, that's amazing. And just recently, a few months ago, I released a new album called "The Man I Want to Be," in which there are some amazing songs on there. Ed Sheeran wrote songs on it, and I've got a duet on there with a young lady who happens to be my granddaughter, who is 9 years old. That's the only duet on the album. There's "Just the Way You Are" that was co-written by Bruno Mars. You know Bruno Mars sang for me when he was 5 years old in Hawaii. I said to him then he was going to be a big star.

Ortiz: What is it like touring and performing today in the industry versus what it was like 50 years ago when you started out?

Humperdinck: With the times, it’s a little different. When I first started, it was more hectic than it is today. Recording in those years was far, far different than it is today. We would go into a studio with a massive orchestra with all different musicians. In today’s world, the technical world has taken over. You can record your music in your house now if you wanted to. It’s made too convenient I think. (Laughs)

Ortiz: You mentioned performing the duet with your granddaughter. Where did that idea come from?

Humperdinck: My daughter wrote the song “I’m Glad I Danced with You.” I met my wife when she was 17, on a dance floor. The song is about my wife and me because she is suffering with an illness now. The song is dedicated to her and my granddaughter (Olivia) is portraying the lyrics in her honor. She does it in an extremely professional way. She’s such an amazing singer and she’s part of my family. So I guess she’ll be taking over in a way.

Ortiz: Does she want to get into show business like her grandfather?

Humperdinck: I certainly hope she will. She’s such an amazing, amazing talent.

Ortiz: What would your advice to her be if she wanted to get into the business?

Humperdinck: To be handled in the right way and get herself a proper business manager. When you’re a big talent and you’re a moneymaker, you got to carry honest people with you, otherwise, you’ll be taken for a ride.

Ortiz: You’ve already accomplished so much in your career. Is there anything else you still want to do?

Humperdinck: I think the way I’m going on right now is the way I’d like to carry on going. It’s made me who I am today and I’m very comfortable doing what I’m doing and I’d like to keep doing it as long as God keeps me on this earth.