Neil Diamond Concert - Honolulu, Hawaii 2012

The one and only Neil Diamond!

One of the highlights of my birthday month was the Neil Diamond Concert arranged by Donna with our friends, Nola and Ken.

 

Great start with Soolaimon. It had the audience standing, clapping and moving to the beat.

He had us at "Hello, Honolulu!"

 

Diamond was in wonderful voice with a collection of the legendary singer/songwriter's interpretations of his favorite songs which included America,  Crackling Rose, Holly, Holly, Sweet Caroline and many more.

Solitary Man, one his biggest hit.

 An intimate moment with the audience, "Girl, you will be a Woman soon". 

Do you think it made her day?

King Errisson (real name Errisson Johnson) started with Neil back in 1976. On another occasion, Donna and I enjoyed his talents at the Forum in Los Angeles, CA. with tickets our daughter, Jonee, got for us (by way of Diamond's son). Originally from the island of Nassau in the Caribbean, King’s conga drum solos have been a popular feature at Neil concerts for over 38 years.

"Diamond has been to the Hawaiian Islands many times, and says the mystique of paradise appeals to his spiritual yearnings. It lends itself to a higher form of spiritual consciousness."

(Honolulu Weekly)

Sweet Caroline brought everyone out of their seats. 

“Where it began, I can’t begin to know when, But then I know it’s growing strong, Oh, wasn’t the spring, whooo, And spring became the summer, who’d believe you’d come along.”

“Hands, touching hands, reaching out, touching me, touching you, Oh Sweet Caroline, good times never seem so good, I’ve been inclined to believe it never would. 

So Good, So Good”

 Amazing energy among the audience including these die-hard groupies known as the "Diamond Head six pacs" (Donna, Nola and Ken).

 

I have a vivid memory of his performance of Hot August Night live at the Greek Theater, Los Angeles, CA in 1972. This album spent 29 weeks at the number 1 on the Album Charts and is considered one of Diamond's Signature Album.

Diamond’s songs and performances are timeless, we were so fortunate to see him in Honolulu. He begins his summer tour with 22 appearances beginning June 1, 2012 in Sunrise, Florida and ends on September 1, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Even though Diamond is 71 years old and still going strong, see him if you get the opportunity. His audiences support him with compassion and adoration; his performances are worthy of celebratory joy!