Hump’s pain over George
EXCLUSIVE
ENGELBERT Humperdinck has spoken of his sadness at George Michael’s death, saying the star went too early.
The veteran singer, 81, said the former Wham! frontman was one of many great talents the music world has lost in recent years, including David Bowie.
He said: “I’ve worked with some great people and we’ve lost a few of those over the years. I knew David Bowie and George Michael. It’s sad, they both went too early. But when your time is up, it’s up.
“That’s why you have to make the most of it. They made their mark and hopefully so will I. Hopefully, it doesn’t call me too quickly.”
Engelbert is marking 50 years since his first hit, Release Me, with the release of new album Engelbert Humperdinck: 50 and the reissue series The Complete Decca Studio Albums. And he said he has no plans to retire. Engelbert said: “I will never retire. Performing is who I am and I want to do it to the end. I want to keep the fire burning and the only way to do it is make new music. I surprise myself. I play for two hours and I come off OK. I don’t feel my age most days.” The icon also revealed that while his looks are fading, he will never indulge in plastic surgery. H He said: “I think it’s cat catching up to me now. But I’ve never had any work done. I’ve decided to grow old g gracefully. “It It’s nice going back to California andan seeing old f friends with new faces!”