Spinner

Neil Diamond Has High Praise for the Jonas Brothers

Neil Diamond is one of music's unquestioned top live draws, a performer who's set attendance records at venues around the world, from the 10 sold out nights at L.A's Greek Theater that comprised his first 'Hot August Night' album to the four at N.Y.'s Madison Square Garden that make up his recent 'Hot August Night: New York' DVD.

But who are the artists that have impressed him live? "I've seen quite a number of memorable shows," Diamond tells Spinner. "A James Brown show was one of the most fantastic, enlightening shows I've ever seen. Harry Belafonte in concert is just a beautiful thing to behold. Elvis was wonderful especially since he introduced me from the stage, which was very nice."

Being introduced by Elvis Presley is one of those career highlights not many artists can claim, but Diamond is typically modest about the encounter. "He was playing Las Vegas and I'd never seen him perform," he says. "I just enjoyed the show and went back afterward. We had a chance to talk for a little while and I thought he was just a wonderful performer."

Are there any of today's stars that stand out to him? "I love to see shows. It's just difficult for me to kind of get in anonymously and sit in the audience and watch," he says. However, he does have some plans to check out some gigs in the future. "I'm going to see the Jason Mraz show -- I hear he's very, very good. I want to see Leonard Cohen and throw in Limp Bizkit too, because I wanna catch their show," he says.

But he saves the biggest praise for the Jonas Brothers, unabashed Diamond fans who cover 'Sweet Caroline' in concert and performed 'Forever in Blue Jeans' earlier this year at the MusiCares tribute to Diamond. "I do wanna see the Jonas Bros because I have a feeling they're gonna remind me of me when I was younger," he says.

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Jim Burrows

Actually, being introduced by Elvis Presley is something every artist, or celebrity, that ever sat at anyone of Presley's 650 sold out shows in Las Vegas, or at his other 500 perfoemnces throughout the United States, in the 1970's, can can easily claim as one of the highlights of their careers (LOL). Just to give you an example, Diamond was introduced at Presley's show, on August 12, 1969, together with Diana Ross. He introduced him again, on February 20, 1970, with Johnny Rivers, Jimmy Webb and Kenny Rogers, the latter then with his group, the First edition. Roy Orbison, George Hamilton, Telly savallas, Frank Sinatra, James Brown, Dean Martin, Jack Lemmon, Tom Jones, Cary Grant, you name it, they were all there and Presley was gracious to introduce them all. Conversely, people like Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, and the entire line up of Led Zeppelin, who attended one of those shows, in 1969, when Presley did not who they were found themselves and were invited to his suite, where they spoke for hours. Same with Elton John, Ringo Starr, even George Harrison. They all were in awe of Presley.

September 08 2009 at 3:40 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply