This moment in time

Every generation has its idols. The '60s and '70s had their share. I observed one on my annual golf trip to Biloxi, Mississippi, this past week. George Dorsey, better known to his legion of fans as Engelbert Humperdinck, "King of Romance," performed at the Beau Rivage Hotel & Casino last Friday night.

When he walked on stage to a sold-out audience, his appearance was somewhat of a shock. At 78, he was overweight, his face wrinkled, his hair dyed, perspiring profusely, showing the wear and tear of life in constant performance. But when he tore into his many hits like "Release Me," "After the Lovin'," "Spanish Eye" and "The Last Waltz," it didn't matter. The great, powerful, iconic voice was mostly intact. His audience immediately began reliving its fading youth. Time stood still.

Yes, he was buoyed by a good backup band and videos of his past glory, but decades of experience on stage came to the fore. He mesmerized his audience with playful reminders of his current age and physical condition.

Toward the end of the two-hour concert, with hits fading into the night, the house lights rose as he began the nostalgic, "For the Good Times." Couples stood arm in arm, some swayed to the music, others embraced, and more hurried to the stage where the bright lights exposed the remnants of years on the road. They couldn't get enough of him Â… shaking hands, taking photos, blowing kisses Â… he loved every moment.

Then they joined him in a lifetime journey together with singing the classic final lyrics Â… for the good times.

Jerry Ford, Cape Girardeau