Introduction
Lights Flickered, Tape Destroyed — Engelbert Humperdinck’s Ghostly Encounter with Elvis Presley
When legends meet, their stories never truly fade — and sometimes, they come back in the most unexpected ways. For Engelbert Humperdinck, the world-renowned balladeer who shared the stages of Las Vegas with Elvis Presley in the 1970s, one memory continues to haunt him quite literally.
During his golden Vegas years, Engelbert often crossed paths with Elvis backstage. Both men admired each other’s artistry, with Humperdinck recalling the King as “humble, honest, and charismatic”. Elvis, just a year older, was already a towering figure, but to Engelbert, he was more than a superstar — he was a friend and a teacher. He learned much from simply watching Presley command a stage.
But their bond took on a strange new chapter years later, when Engelbert performed at the International Hotel — the very venue where Elvis had once reigned. Staying in the Elvis Suite on the 30th floor, Humperdinck expected a comfortable night surrounded by history. Instead, he found himself in the middle of an eerie experience he never forgot.
As he prepared for a performance, Engelbert put a tape into a brand-new machine to practice lyrics. To his shock, the machine immediately chewed up the tape. Puzzled, he thought: “This has to be Elvis.” Later that night, things grew stranger. The lights in his room began to switch off on their own, no matter how many times he turned them back on. Alone in the suite, Engelbert felt his hair stand on end. Finally, he spoke into the darkness: “Elvis, why are you doing this to me? I’m your friend.”
To him, it wasn’t fear — it was recognition. Engelbert believed Elvis was simply making his presence known, reminding his old friend that their connection had not been broken by time or death. “I think he was just saying thank you for being in my suite, and thank you for being my friend,” Engelbert later shared.
Decades on, the story still fascinates fans. It’s more than a ghost tale — it’s a glimpse into the lasting impact Elvis left on those who knew him. Even in silence, even in flickering lights and broken tapes, the King still finds a way to say hello.