Engelbert Humperdinck in Concert at CHMH; Altar Bar Hosts Rockers Living Colour (Wed., 4/13/16)

1) Engelbert Humperdinck, born Arnold George Dorsey in India, moved to England at the age of 10. He started performing professionally in his teens, with time off for a stint in the British Army. After a bout of tuberculosis and a struggling career, his manager suggested a name change to his current stage name which was co-opted from the German composer of the 19th-century opera Hansel and Gretel. The thought behind the change was that someone with such a different name would be a secure, well-adjusted person. Both The Carpenters and Jimi Hendrix opened for Humperdinck on tour. In ’67 his hit song “Release Me” kept The Beatles’ “Strawberry Fields Forever”/”Penny Lane” from occupying the no. 1 chart position in the U.K. Humperdinck often laughed about how Elvis got the idea of long sideburns and leather jumpsuits from him. His fans call themselves Humperdinckers. He’ll be at Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall to sing his hits including “After the Lovin‘,” “Release Me,” and “The Last Waltz.” 8 p.m. 510 East 10th Ave.

 

2) Living Colour added a dose of thudding funk bass and articulate political awareness, particularly of black issues, to the otherwise white world of early ’80s punk rock. The band grew out of the Black Rock Coalition, which was made up of black musicians who enjoyed playing rock music. Living Colour’s 1988 single “Cult of Personality” turned an obscure sociology term into a sweaty hard-rock hit and garnered the group a Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance in 1990. They disbanded in the mid ’90s but reunited in ’00 to resume touring and create new music. Living Colour will release a new album later this year titled Shade. They will perform at Altar Bar. Opening are Kaleido, Ill Willis, and Byron Nash & PLAN B. 8 p.m. 1620 Penn Ave., Strip District. (EC, RH)

3) The Pirates are off to a somewhat surprising and explosive start to the season. First, sweeping the opening home series with the St. Louis Cardinals and beating the Cincinnati Reds in the first game of the subsequent away series. Now the Buccos have returned home to face the Detroit Tigers in a little inter-league action. 7:05 p.m. PNC Park, 115 Federal St., North Shore.

4) The Penguins have earned home ice advantage in the first round of the NHL Playoffs against the New York Rangers. First game is tonight, face off at 8 p.m. Consol Energy Center, 1001 Fifth Ave., Uptown.

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Rick Handler

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