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The Anthem Incident: When Engelbert Humperdinck Faced the Crowd’s Wrath
Engelbert Humperdinck, the velvet-voiced crooner behind classics like “Release Me” and “The Last Waltz”, has seen countless standing ovations in his decades-long career. But one night in the 1980s, his performance ended not in applause—but in a flying chair and public outrage.
The Stage Was Set for Glory
At a major UK sporting event in the early 1980s, Engelbert was invited to perform the British national anthem, “God Save the Queen”. It was a prestigious moment—one of national pride and great visibility.
But the moment quickly soured. As Engelbert began the anthem, he fumbled—a beat too slow, a line sung slightly out of sequence. And then, he accidentally switched a key lyric, a mistake instantly noticed by the crowd.
A Furious Reaction
At first, the stadium fell into murmurs. Then came the boos. And then—most shockingly—a plastic chair flew from the stands, narrowly missing the stage where Engelbert was trying to recover.
Though he composed himself and completed the song, the damage was done. The audience had made their judgment, and it wasn’t kind. For many Brits, the national anthem is sacred—and any perceived mishandling, especially in public, felt like a deep offense.
“I Was Never Treated Like That Before”
In a rare later interview, Engelbert confessed: “I practiced for hours, but the pressure of that moment got the better of me. I’ve never been treated like that on stage in my life.”
He was swiftly escorted offstage by event security to avoid further escalation.
A Public Apology
Within 24 hours, Engelbert issued a public apology and even penned a handwritten note to the event organizers. While some fans forgave him, others were not so understanding. The press was brutal, with headlines mocking the incident as a “royal blunder.”
Following this scandal, Engelbert was excluded from major national events in the UK for nearly ten years.
Legacy and Lessons
Despite this blemish, Engelbert’s career survived and thrived. Yet, this incident became one of the most talked-about—and least advertised—moments in his otherwise stellar public life.
Modern artists have cited this very story as a reason they fear singing national anthems live. The pressure is immense, the margin for error razor-thin.
In the end, Engelbert’s anthem mishap became more than just a mistake—it was a turning point in how stars approach ceremonial performances and a reminder that even legends can stumble.