International music legend Engelbert Humperdinck returns to New Zealand for a six centre tour performing in Auckland, Napier, New Plymouth, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin in August and September.
Engelbert occupies a very special place in people’s hearts and particularly in New Zealand where his song Ten Guitars has been adopted as the country’s unofficial national anthem and made a major impact on the New Zealand music scene.
"I'm so proud of the way my song Ten Guitars has influenced so many people and been embraced so strongly by the New Zealand public. I can't believe that when I wrote the song with my then manager Gordon Mills from my basement flat in London in 1965 that it would still be having such an impact on the New Zealand music scene. I'm truly proud of the song," Engelbert says.
Known as the ‘King of Romance’, Engelbert continues to perform and is the consummate entertainer, with an instantly recognisable voice and natural charisma which have endeared him to global audiences of all ages, including Royalty, Presidents and Heads of State. With four Grammy nominations, a Golden Globe for "Entertainer of the Year", 63 gold and 24 platinum records, and stars on the Hollywood, Las Vegas and Leicester Walks of Fame, Engelbert is still one of the world’s top performers.
Ten Guitars was the flip side to Humperdinck’s 1967 smash (Please) Release Me becoming a hit in New Zealand after radio programmers opted to play the upbeat track with its “Maori strum”. A generation of local bands started performing the song and with its chorus of “Oh, dance, dance, dance, to my ten guitars” it became a Kiwi party staple, a song of the people and unofficial national anthem.
“It’s the best country and western song ever written,” said iconic New Zealand performers Lynda and Jools Toop (The Topp Twins) in a NZ On Screen documentary.
Engelbert Humperdinck has released more than 80 albums of tender ballads. His 1967 signature tune, (Please) Release Me from his debut album, was a number one hit in 11 countries and appeared on the British charts for 56 weeks, preventing the Beatles’ double A-side release, Penny Lane and Strawberry Fields Forever, from reaching the top position.
Engelbert last played in New Zealand in 2013 for one night only in Auckland. Now he returns to tour to six centres and satisfy eager Humperdinckers, performing many iconic songs from his vast catalogue, cherished by lovers the world over: (Please) Release Me, Spanish Eyes, There Goes My Everything, The Last Waltz, Am I That Easy To Forget, Quando, Quando, Quando, The Way It Used To Be and for New Zealand the best of all, Ten Guitars!
Don’t miss your evening with Engelbert Humperdinck, described by the London Times as “The premier voice of the 20th Century.”
Engelbert Humperdinck Live In New Zealand
Wellington - The Opera House - Wednesday 31 August
Napier -Napier Municipal Theatre - Thursday 1 September
New Plymouth -TSB Theatre - TSB Showplace - Saturday 3 September
Auckland - The Civic - Sunday 4 September
Christchurch - Horncastle Arena - Tuesday 6 September
Dunedin - Regent Theatre - Wednesday 7 September
Post a comment