Engelbert Humperdinck and Elvis Presley: The Untold Story of Their Silent Showbiz Tension
When people think of Engelbert Humperdinck and Elvis Presley, they often picture two legendary icons ruling the golden era of music in the 60s and 70s. But behind the scenes, rumors of a silent rivalry once rippled through the industry.
It all started in 1967, when Engelbert released his smash hit “Release Me”, which surprisingly topped the UK charts and kept Elvis’s single “Indescribably Blue” from reaching number one. This victory caused quite a stir not just among fans, but allegedly within industry circles too.
Whispers began to emerge that Elvis wasn’t too fond of Engelbert. Some even claimed he had Engelbert banned from appearing on certain American shows, though no hard evidence ever surfaced. The idea of “Elvis vs. Engelbert” quickly became a media fantasy fueled by fan fervor.
In later interviews, Engelbert himself addressed the speculation: “I never got to meet Elvis in person, but I had great admiration for him. I think whatever tension people believed in was more media fiction than reality.”
Interestingly, despite never sharing a stage, their styles bore striking similarities the dashing outfits, slicked-back hair, and emotionally rich vocals. Both knew how to command attention and stir hearts with a single look or note.
Over the years, Engelbert continued to show deep respect for Elvis. He often referred to him as an inspiration and even included Elvis’s songs in his concert sets as tribute.
So, was there a real rivalry? Probably not. But “Release Me” knocking Elvis off the top spot was a dramatic moment that sparked years of speculation and fan theories a narrative that still intrigues to this day.