Singer / Composer

[janeevans]

Which 20th century American singer adopted the name of a 19th century German composer?

[netibiza]

Is it Englebert Humperdinck?

[andy hughes]

I don't know if you are thinking of gerry Dorsey, who became 'Englebert Humperdinck' - after the German comopser of the 'Hansel & Gretel' opera.

If so, your info is slightly off - although he works most of the time in the U.S., Englebert (he dropped the surname years ago) is from Leicester, and still lives there.

[andy hughes]

Simultaneious post there netibiza - obviously we have the same idea.

[kempie]

Engelbert Humperdink was managed by Gordon Mills who also brought us the novel-named singer Tom Jones and operetta composers inspired Gilbert O'Sullivan.

[netibiza]

The original Englebert Humperdinck was a German composer and the one to which I was referring was not Gerry Dorsey but the English pop star who sang "Release Me" and then soon moved to the states where he now lives in Jayne Mansfield's old home.  Trust me I was a war baby.

[kempie]

As andy hughes noted, Gerry Dorsey changed his name to Engelbert Humperdink, so they are one and the same person, although I would not describe him as a 'pop' star which I use as a derogatory term.

[netibiza]

kempie in the  60's he was a pop star - of course he became recognised as a singer as he endured.

[kempie]

Sorry netibiza I think I didn't explain myself properly.

My definition of 'pop' is bubblegum, tuneless drivel predominantly produced since the mid-eighties to the present-day, performed by talentless drones whose musical ability (if any) is far, far outweighed by their manufactured appeal to 5-8 year olds.

I am not a fan of Mr Humperdink but am not inclined to demean him by calling him a 'pop' star.

Rant over ;�)

[Kay]

I dont think  the term "Pop" is derogatory Kempie. Its just a shortened version of " Popular Music" afterall.