Published by Cel Manero from Global One Media Inc.
The “Release Me” hitmaker told Raymond Arroyo that he would gladly welcome Tom Jones back into his life if the Welsh singer ever reached out.
Engelbert Humperdinck is opening up about his long-standing estrangement from Tom Jones, admitting that he still has no clear explanation for how their friendship eventually fell apart.
Speaking with Raymond Arroyo on the “Arroyo Grande” podcast Wednesday, the “Release Me” singer recalled that he and Jones had been close for many years before their relationship changed.
“To this day, I still think that Tom is probably one of the best singers the world has ever known, you know, and we don’t speak to each other,” Humperdinck said.
The singer acknowledged that he cannot pinpoint exactly what caused the rift.
“I don’t know. Something happened and it just went,” he explained.
Humperdinck also addressed speculation that another woman may have played a role in the falling-out, dismissing that theory. Instead, he connected the timing of the split to the death of their longtime manager, Gordon Mills.
“I don’t know what it is, you know, it just happened after my manager died,” Humperdinck said. “He died of cancer, and then right after that, because I left Gordon [Mills] before he passed away, and he took umbrage to that, I guess, for some reason, but I can’t tell you, I don’t know why.”
Mills, who died in 1986, had managed both Humperdinck and Jones during their careers.
Despite their prolonged silence, Humperdinck made it clear that he has no ill feelings toward his former friend and would be willing to reconcile.
“To this day, I would embrace him if he ever put his hand out to me,” he said. “There’s no point, there’s no — I don’t like animosity. I don’t hate the man. As a matter of fact, I love his singing, you know, and I think he’s been a great asset to the world of music.”
Humperdinck also reflected on the influence Jones had on him professionally. Since Jones found success before him, Humperdinck said the “It’s Not Unusual” hitmaker gave him valuable insight into navigating the music industry.
The two celebrated singers were particularly close during the early stages of their careers and even shared a home in London for a period.
“We had a good relationship in the early years, and what has happened now is something I can’t put my finger on,” Humperdinck said. Still, he remains hopeful that their friendship can eventually be restored.
“I really hope that one day, like Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, we’ll be together again.”
