Few knew how deep the connection between Elvis Presley and Engelbert Humperdinck truly ran. While fans saw them as icons of their own genres—Elvis, the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, and Engelbert, the velvet-voiced balladeer—their relationship was rooted in something much more intimate: shared values, mutual respect, and a surprising emotional link.
In an autobiography about Elvis, one of his former bodyguards revealed that Presley felt a strong bond with Engelbert because he reminded him of Jesse Garon Presley—Elvis’s twin brother who tragically died at birth. That revelation, deeply personal and rarely discussed, speaks volumes about how much the ‘Release Me’ singer meant to Elvis.
The two performers grew close during their time performing in Las Vegas, especially during nights at the Riviera Hotel. In a recent interview, Engelbert recalled one unforgettable evening when Elvis turned up to his show in full cape-and-jumpsuit regalia. “He stood up on the seat and spread his cape like Batman,” he laughed. “The audience went wild. I had to shout, ‘Elvis, this is my show!’”
Yet behind the theatrics, Engelbert remembers a humble man. “He was very down to Earth,” he said. “His favorite sandwich was a banana sandwich. He loved burgers. No caviar, none of that. He was simple.”
Their admiration for each other went beyond friendship. Engelbert claimed that Elvis even borrowed his iconic sideburns. “I had it first,” he joked. “He took it from me, and I told him so.” But Humperdinck was just as happy to admit he borrowed from Elvis too. “He taught me humility. I stole a lot from him—his honesty on stage, his integrity as a performer.”
Now, more than a decade after Elvis’s passing, Engelbert continues to honor his friend. His new duet with fellow artist Emin—Help Me Make It Through the Night, an Elvis classic—was released as a tribute. Produced by 16-time Grammy winner David Foster, the track retains the soul of the original while adding Engelbert’s signature style.
“For the last 20 years, I’ve always included Elvis songs in my shows,” Engelbert said. “I wanted to put my own twist on it while preserving the heart of what he created.”
It’s a fitting homage to a man who was more than a friend—he was, in a way, family.