Years ago, (sometime in the 90's) Neil Diamond came to Wichita or Kansas City (I honestly don't remember which, but lean toward Wichita).  I knew of Neil Diamond, I mean he had that cool movie with the kick ass patriotic sound track ( The Jazz Singer) that I jammed to in the 80's.  I got a phone call from a family friend, Pat, who wondered if I would like to go see Neil Diamond in concert with her and my parents.   So, there I was, a punk kid I his twenties being invited to a Neil Diamond concert by Pat and his parents.   Well, I didn't even pause a moment, I gave an enthusiastic yes.

Oh my gosh, what in the world have I done?  I just volunteered to go to a concert with not only some woman my parent's age, but my parents too!  Realizing I would likely be the youngest in the audience, the horror magnified in my head.  It was so awfull I asked around work trying to find someone to go in my place.  That resulted in some ribbing from co-workers, but no volunteers to take my place.  As the night neared, I had pretty well worried myself into a frenzy and imagined this being like taking Castor Oil even though I never had.  I mean who likes Castor Oil?

When I met them for the trip to the concert, things were only more special given that it was my parents, another couple they knew, and Pat, so, it was sort of like I was Pat's date.  Well, I stepped right up to that faux wood paneled minivan ready for what the night held, and off we went. 

Not the van, but looked just like it.

The trip involved some cheap cigars, probably Swisher Sweets and as I recall, there were "road drinks" too.  We had to get ready for the venue that sold nothing stronger than Dr. Pepper so off we went.

Well we got there, and Neil was performing in the round. I think that was a fad in the late 80's early 90's as Def Leppard did it too. Anyway, we found our way to our seats which were somewhere just below nosebleed but not close enough that those on stage didn't seem miniaturized. I don't even think there was an opening act. Neil came out and commanded that stage from every angle and any position. When I say commanded, I am sure most have heard groupie stories. I had heard them too, I even witnessed those caught in the spell who would flash the band or toss panties onto the stage. Neil had groupies, the problem was, they were all my parents age. It wasn't flashes of flesh that were desired or tiny thongs covering tiny bits. It was full on granny panties and over the shoulder boulder holders, and I honestly feared Neil could have been taken down had he been struck, but I digress. The crowd went wild, and there I stood in shock and awe at the words coming out of my mouth. It was a three hour sing along that only seemed to get better as it went. It was then that I learned I was a closeted Neil Diamond fan.

The trip home was pretty uneventful. I was praised for knowing more songs than anyone thought I would. I think there were only three or four that I didn't recognize. I had a blast! As the years have gone by and I have gone to many concerts, this one still ranks in my top five. I won't go into the others in that list as this is about Neil.

A year or two ago, Pat and I were talking and she asked if I wanted her Neil Diamomd cassette collection. She knew her family had no use for it and we had often reminisced about Neil in the round. I quickly said yes, not sorting out further details. Pat passed away and at the time her and Mom weren't on good terms. I wasn't able to return for her funeral, and the collection is now elsewhere. Today, I hope Mom and Pat have made amends and I ordered a lot of 17 Neil Diamond CD from Ebay for a whopping $24 and change shipped to my door.

So, for me, Neil Diamond is a great performer, and better memories. Thanks for reading.

Don't take this the wrong way, but where I grew up, if you were listening to Neil Diamond, you got beat up.

But he's cool. I listen to his stuff when it comes into play rotation.

quote:

Originally posted by radioman:
Don't take this the wrong way, but where I grew up, if you were listening to Neil Diamond, you got beat up.

But he's cool. I listen to his stuff when it comes into play rotation.

Lol, I think a lot of us grew up near there.

Neil Diamond was the first musician I became a fan for, and the reason I originally took up the guitar. Never much cared what other people thought of it.

I later worked with someone who had grown up with Neil in the Bronx. Heard a few little-known stories.

A couple of years ago, Neil Diamond sang at the Washington Nationals (baseball) 4th of July game.

Growing up as a punk rocker, I equated Neil Diamond to Barry Manilow. Schlock, bad music. Then he basically disappeared from my psyche for decades. I discovered him in recent years watching a youtube video of a live rendition of Crunchy Granola Suite. Then I bought Hot August Nights, and a few other albums. Now I'm a fan.

Hot August Night

He was one of my Mom's favorite singers but I haven't heard any of his songs in a decade or so.

I've had the chance to attend 3 of his concerts over the years. Great performer. I'm a fan.

We had a Vista Cruiser just like the on in the picture above. It had a 455 and an 8-track. I swear we only owned two 8-tracks, Neil Diamond and Jim Croce. Play it now, play it now, play it now...
You don't tug on Superman's cape, you don't spit into the wind, you don't pull the mask off that old Lone Ranger and you don't mess around with Slim...

I love this story. Connecting as friends across generations. Singer songwriters hack everyone's firewalls from time to time, but only the brave admit the breach.

Re: the Vista Cruiser (incidentally, that photo is a later 70s Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser), we had an Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser (a very early 70s one) with a 455c.i. engine. I feel confident my 2011 Honda Odyssey could out accelerate it with the gargantuan weight and abysmal performance of the gas guzzler, but I'm certain it could not out tow it.

quote:

Originally posted by trapper189:


We had a Vista Cruiser just like the on in the picture above. It had a 455 and an 8-track. I swear we only owned two 8-tracks, Neil Diamond and Jim Croce. Play it now, play it now, play it now...
You don't tug on Superman's cape, you don't spit into the wind, you don't pull the mask off that old Lone Ranger and you don't mess around with Slim...

Big Neil fan even in High School. Still listen to "Hot August Night" about once a month.

Did that olds have the clam shell back gate/window?

Always liked his music, particularly songs like "Girl, you'll be a woman soon". My wife saw him in person years ago and says he's an incredible performer but I think he has stopped touring due to Parkinson's.

He had crazy energy on stage as did his entire group. I saw him at the Providence Civic Center around 1977.

My mother was a fan so I became one too. I have had the privilege of seeing him perform at least 6 times. No nonsense, just him and the band no opening act crap. For the most part, he performed the songs he wrote and composed. He was not just a performer.

I was lucky enough to see one of his last concerts. It was sad when he had to give up the concert tours.

If you don't like anything else, you got to like this one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKQ26iSBG-E

My parents had Neil Diamond (among other) LPs in their collection - his music was a staple in my childhood.

For me Neil Diamond was a huge step up to I listened to as a kid. Early 70's I bought Partridge Family records because that's what I watched on television. In 1976 the Osmond's performed at the State Fair. Bought their stuff for a couple of years. My older brother listened to Neil and John Denver. A stage band friend got me going on Maynard Ferguson. The summer of my junior year I ran AAU. I missed going to the regionals by one place. Took 4th in the 110m high hurdles. During one long van ride Boston came on the radio. Went through Blue Oyster Cult and finally landed on Rush and Queen. Neil Diamond is still on my iPod and I still enjoy most of his songs.

While it wasn't Neil Diamond's fault, some of the crowds he attracted caused his concert in Phoenix about 30 years ago to be the last live concert we've attended. Still love his tunes and have several CDs of his albums.

My wife and I were both fans. When it was announced he was coming to Phoenix for a concert we got tickets months in advance. Unfortunately, the audience seemed more interested in smoking dope than watching and listening to the performance. We left before the concert was over.

FWIW, you can see a variety of concerts on DirecTv channel 340.

Hot August Night
Tap Root Manuscript

And a bunch of other songs. Grew up listening to a lot of his music.