Introduction
One of the most bad-tempered feuds in pop history is between two of the greatest British crooners: Sir Tom Jones and Engelbert Humperdinck.
Both singers were Decca label mates managed by Gordon Mills early in their careers and started off as friends, but fell out in the 1970s and haven’t made up since.
They’ve been exchanging barbs in public for over half a century now, but in a new interview Engelbert has hailed his rival’s talent and ability.
Quizzed about his own parting from Mills 1977, Humperdinck told The Telegraph: “He had different ideas about [my career]. He was very partial to Tom – they were both Welsh – and I guess there was a closeness there.
“I felt a little bit left out, that both the reins weren’t together – one was here and one is here. Therefore, I got a bit upset, and I left the organisation.”
He claimed that “without a doubt” Mills favoured Jones over him, but also added: “Mind you, I think Tom Jones is a great performer, great singer, great everything.
Engelbert Humperdinck meets Tom Jones! (1969)
“Although we’re not friends, I still think he’s probably one of the best singers the world has ever known. And I always will say that. I’m not jealous of him, in fact.”
Of Jones’s refusal to accept any peace offerings from him, Engelbert said: “I wish it wasn’t the way, but it is what it is. I don’t like to hold grudges. Life is too short for that sort of the thing.”
Last year Sir Tom revealed that Engelbert had indeed reached out in a bid to patch things up.
“He has tried but I don’t want to talk,” Jones said.
“There is nothing friendly about me and Engelbert because he is a prick and you can quote me on that. We fell out years ago.”
Though for all his recent peaceful overtures, it was Engelbert who seemingly reignited the feud earlier in 2024 by taking a jab at Jones’s current singing voice.
“I think he’s lost his voice,” Humperdinck joked. “I don’t think he’s got it anymore.”
Arguably the lowest point in their relationship came in 2015 when Sir Tom told Metro of Engelbert: “It’s as I say – once a c**t always a c**t.”