“The Greatest Sin”: Engelbert Humperdinck’s Missed Collaboration with Gorillaz
It might sound unlikely, even bizarre—but Engelbert Humperdinck, the romantic crooner of the ’60s and ’70s, once had the chance to collaborate with the wildly experimental virtual band Gorillaz. A collision of eras and genres, the proposal had the potential to shake up the music scene in a way few could imagine. But it never came to be.
The story traces back to 2010, when Gorillaz was preparing to release Plastic Beach—a landmark album known for its eclectic guest appearances. The band reached out to Engelbert, hoping to feature his signature voice on one of their tracks. The idea of blending his warm, timeless vocals with the futuristic, genre-bending sound of Gorillaz might have seemed far-fetched—but in the best possible way.
Much like Johnny Cash’s haunting cover of Nine Inch Nails’ “Hurt,” this collaboration could have been a profound, unexpected crossover. But instead, the opportunity was quietly declined—by Engelbert’s management, without even consulting him.
In a recent interview, Engelbert revealed his disappointment:
“It was the greatest sin. I really hope they’ll ask me again.”
The irony is that Gorillaz has a history of working with older legends—Bobby Womack and Lou Reed, for example. Had the collaboration with Engelbert happened, it could have become a groundbreaking moment in both their careers.
Now, fans can’t help but wonder: If the invitation comes again, would Engelbert—now nearing 90—accept? And if he did, what would a digital-age ballad from such a timeless voice sound like?
In music, chances like this don’t come around often. But maybe, just maybe, this confession will rekindle a missed spark—and lead to one of the most unexpected comebacks in modern music history.