Engelbert Humperdinck Reflects on Life-Saving Moment in British Army

British singer Engelbert Humperdinck shared a pivotal moment from his time in the British Army, where an untied shoelace unexpectedly saved his life. During an episode of ‘The Engelbert Humperdinck Show,’ the 90-year-old recalled enlisting in 1954 at 18 years old. He eagerly hoped for an assignment in Cyprus, where a friend was stationed, yet found himself sent to Germany.

Humperdinck explained that the assignment process involved forming ranks of three while a sergeant major and adjutant counted groups to determine assignments—possibly Cyprus, Germany, or Belgium. As the process unfolded, he noticed his shoelace had come undone. After pausing to tie it, he joined the line just in time for the count, narrowly missing an assignment to Cyprus by a single number.

I think God was watching over me because, later on, I found out all the people that went to Cyprus never got there. They got killed in an ambush on the way to Nicosia.

This close call deeply impacted Humperdinck. He described his subsequent posting to Mulheim, Germany as “an interesting couple of years.”

Humperdinck, originally named Arnold George Dorsey, later found global fame with the 1967 release of ‘Release Me,’ which topped U.K. charts. His career blossomed, selling over 140 million records worldwide, earning four Grammy nominations, a Golden Globe, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Reflecting on his success, Humperdinck said in a 2017 Billboard interview, If you don’t put out material that’s going to last, you’re not going to last. Over the years, I sold over 150 million records. My music has been my passport to the world, and it’s been amazing for me.