Engelbert Humperdinck promises a fast-moving show with a touch of humor but mostly one man and his music when he appears at L’Auberge on Friday night. The concert will include his hits that people expect — “Release Me,” “There Goes My Everything” and “Last Waltz” — plus new material.

He will perform at 9 p.m. in the L’Auberge Lake Charles event center.

The singer, whose career has spanned over several stage names and different performance genres for more than four decades, will be 77 in May.

“But I’m not the regular 77,” he said in a telephone interview with the American Press on Wednesday. “I have been blessed with healthy genes to remain strong and healthy. I haven’t even had the flu this year,” referring to the current epidemic in the U.S. and abroad.

He just returned to the U.S. Tuesday from touring Austria and the Lourdes shrine in France with his wife and other family members. It was a pleasure trip, and his appearance in Lake Charles will be the first performance on his 2013 itinerary. He will perform at L’Auberge Baton Rouge on Saturday.

“I look forward to starting the new year’s schedule,” he said.

He has updated his style to a better, more commercial sound, from what he is known for since his debut on the world pop music scene with the hit single “Release Me” in 1967. He adapted the country song recorded by several well-known artists to a smooth ballad style. It was about that time that his first manager suggested he change his name from Arnold George Dorsey to that of a 19th-century opera composer. Before becoming Engelbert Humperdinck, he used the stage name Gerry Dorsey for a while.

At a recent recording session, his manager said, “My goodness. I’ve never heard you sing like that before.”

He is working on an album of duets, following the success of Frank Sinatra’s and Tony Bennett’s recording with other stars. Bennett last year released has second album of duets. Humperdinck is joined by such singers as Elton John, Smokey Robinson and a list of others on the CD.

“I hope it will be released by my birthday, May 2,” he said.

Between sessions in the recording studio, he makes about 90 concert appearances a year.

IF YOU GO

Englebert Humperdinck will appear at the L’Auberge Lake Charles Casino and Resort at 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18.

Tickets are available at Ticketmaster or call by calling 800-745-3000 or visiting Legends or the Business Center at L’Auberge.

Crooner Engelbert Humperdinck will be 77 in May. (Special to the American Press)