Humperdinck still has love for Vegas

The folks who put the stars' names on Las Vegas marquees might not be happy that they've had to spell out "Engelbert Humperdinck" for 40 years now, but he sure is.

"It's one of the most powerful memories I have to this day," the singer once recalled of seeing that name go up for the first time in April 1969. "It was quite a scary, exciting, weird experience to be over in Las Vegas for the first time and see my name 20 feet tall."

The 73-year-old singer -- born in India with the more signage-friendly name of Arnold Dorsey -- has been a return visitor nearly every year since.

"I can honestly say I have a love for Vegas ever since that day. I really enjoy it," Humperdinck noted a few years ago. He sings at 8 p.m. today through Sunday in the Showroom at The Orleans, 4500 W. Tropicana Ave. Tickets are $60.50-$88; call 365-7075.

-- By MIKE WEATHERFORD