Even at 90 years old, Engelbert Humperdinck still measures time by the next show. Nearly six decades after “Release Me” launched him into international stardom, the British singer continues to travel the world performing the romantic ballads that have become woven into generations of listeners’ lives. With over 150 million records sold and a catalog that includes enduring classics like “The Last Waltz,” “Quando Quando Quando,” and “A Man Without Love,” Humperdinck remains one of popular music’s most enduring voices, carrying a repertoire that has outlived changing trends and formats.
That longevity has found a particularly warm home in the Philippines, where his songs have long been staples of family gatherings, karaoke sessions, and concert halls alike. Ahead of his return to Manila for a one-night performance at the New Frontier Theater on September 25, 2026, Billboard Philippines caught up with the legendary singer to reflect on a career spanning nearly six decades, the lasting appeal of love songs, his special connection with Filipino audiences, and what continues to inspire him to step onto the stage after all these years.
Billboard Philippines: After decades in music and timeless classics like “Release Me,” “The Last Waltz,” and “Quando Quando Quando,” how do you reflect on your legacy at this stage of your career?
Engelbert Humperdinck: I’m very proud of the fact that when I started recording many years ago, in 1967, and I had my first release, I never realized that I would have many hits. I just thought I got lucky with one. But I did get lots of hits, one after the other, one after the other.
And I think I’m one of the only people in the world that has had one, two, three in the charts at the same time.
I’ve been lucky enough that I think I’ve sold over… the count is about 150 million albums around the world, or more. It’s more now. 150 was 15 years ago. So, it must be a little bit more right now. But I don’t know with the new count, you know, how they do it. Now they’re downloading and all that business. I have no idea. But I recorded some beautiful songs, as you put them — “The Last Waltz,” “Quando Quando…” “Quando Quando…” has been in so many TV shows and in movies and things like that. And I’m very proud of the fact that they asked for my songs to go into these movies.
What can I tell you? The songs I’ve recorded have a lasting appeal. And I’m very proud of the kind of songs that I’ve recorded. And I’m going to keep recording songs like that for the next few years that I’ve left in my show business career.
Billboard Philippines: Are there other songs in your catalog that you wish got bigger or more popular?
Engelbert Humperdinck: You should be satisfied with small mercies. And I’m thankful for everything that has happened in my life. Even though some of them didn’t get to number one, they did stay in the top five. So that’s good enough for me. I don’t want to be that greedy. But having number ones is a very special feeling.
Billboard Philippines: You’ve performed for audiences across generations and continents, including many memorable visits to the Philippines. What has always stood out to you about Filipino fans and the way they respond to your music?
Engelbert Humperdinck: Well, the Filipino people, they love music. Whenever I come there, I can’t believe how many people know my songs. And I know that karaoke has played a big part in my [popularity in the Philippines], and people in the Philippines love the karaoke machines. And they love to sing. And of course, my songs are very, very prevalent in the Filipino market.
Billboard Philippines: Your songs continue to resonate with listeners long after their original release. Why do you think romantic ballads and classic showmanship still connect so strongly with audiences today?
Engelbert Humperdinck: You know, it depends on the content of a song. And I like a good storyline, a good melody line. And the reason why people love that is because they live by love. Love is what makes the world go around, and all my songs have the meaning of love in them.
And I think that is one of the reasons why I have been successful. And they deem me the “King of Romance,” you know. I thought, what a nice title to give me. And so therefore, I carry on singing romantic songs. And I always will, because romance is part of living. And that’s what I’m going to do [and] keep doing it.
Billboard Philippines: You’ll be returning to Manila for a concert at New Frontier Theater on September 25, 2026. What can Filipino fans expect from this upcoming performance, and how do you prepare for shows after all these years onstage?
Engelbert Humperdinck: I travel all over the world. And I prepare a show that I think the world audience would like. So that’s what I prepare for — a world audience. But when I come to Manila, I do sing a Filipino song in my act. And I do enjoy the way they enjoy my music. Some of the Filipino people in this country, in the United States, when I play, I know they’re Filipinos because they’re the loudest in the audience. They love music, and I appreciate the fact that they love my music.
There are songs that have world appeal. And the ones that stand out in that world appeal, I keep those songs in my show. Like, for instance, “Release Me,” “After the Lovin’.” Some of the songs like “There Goes My Everything” [and] “A Man Without Love” stay in my show. “Quando” stays in my show, “Spanish Eyes.” There’s so many beautiful songs that I’ve recorded that I keep in my show and promote at my concerts.
Billboard Philippines: Looking back on your journey — from the height of your chart success to still performing today — what continues to motivate you to keep stepping onto the stage and sharing these songs with audiences around the world?
Engelbert Humperdinck: It’s in my blood. I’ve been doing it since I was 17 years old. And I’m 90 now. I can’t believe I’m 90, by the way. I don’t even consider that, you know. I sing a song in my show called “Don’t Let The Old Man In” by Toby Keith. It’s a fantastic song, and it tells the people how I feel at this time in my life. And it’s very humble; it has a lot of humility to it. And I enjoy singing it and telling the people, “Look at me. At this age, I’m still doing my thing.” And I’m doing it to the best of my ability.
Engelbert Humperdinck: The Celebration Tour 2026 Live in Manila happens on September 25, 2026 at the New Frontier Theater in Cubao, Quezon City and is brought to you by Steve O’Neal Productions. Tickets are available via TicketNet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Engelbert Humperdinck is a British singer who rose to international stardom in 1967 with “Release Me.” Known as the “King of Romance,” he has sold over 150 million records worldwide and built a catalog including “The Last Waltz,” “Quando, Quando, Quando,” and “A Man Without Love.”
Engelbert Humperdinck performs The Celebration Tour 2026 Live in Manila on September 25, 2026, at the New Frontier Theater in Cubao, Quezon City. The show is produced by Steve O’Neal Productions, with tickets available through TicketNet.
His best-known songs include “Release Me,” “The Last Waltz,” “Quando, Quando, Quando,” “A Man Without Love,” “There Goes My Everything,” “After the Lovin’,” and “Spanish Eyes.” These romantic ballads remain staples of his live setlist nearly six decades after his 1967 debut.
Humperdinck credits the Philippines’ strong karaoke culture for keeping his songs widely known across generations. He notes Filipino fans are consistently among the loudest and most enthusiastic in his audiences worldwide, a connection he attributes to Filipinos’ deep love of singing and music.
Engelbert Humperdinck has sold more than 150 million albums worldwide, a figure he says was last counted around 15 years ago and is likely higher now given streaming-era sales tracking. The count reflects nearly six decades of recording since his 1967 breakthrough.
