Neil in NZ!!!!!

New Zealand news from The Press - June 11, 1999
Diamond still cuts it at 58

Rock superstar Neil Diamond used to travel light to his gigs. He wore his spare shirt and a guitar slung over his shoulder in the 1960s. When he arrived in Christchurch yesterday for a sell-out four-concert tour, it was with an entourage of 80 and truck-loads of equipment.

He's a big player on the international scene, but fame and wealth have changed him little. Time has
been kind to Diamond, 58. He shows none of the Mick Jagger-style ravages of 30-plus years on the
rock 'n'roll road.

Out of the bright lights and with not a sequin or shiny shirt in sight, his chap-next-door image is a pleasant surprise. He arrived with hands in the pockets of his black zip-up jacket, but would have nothing disparaging said of Christchurch's chilly temperatures.    "Cold? This isn't cold; it's beautiful," he enthused.  Diamond spoke almost with regret that he hadn't been back to the city since winning over local audiences at an open-air concert in 1976.  "We had a great time here then, but we're back now and it's better late than never. Where else can I come to town and 15 photographers come out to say hello?"

He has had a hectic Australian concert tour, and is relaxed about an arduous five-day schedule playing to 30,000-plus people in Christchurch. First it was two shows, sell-outs within four hours, then three, and then four. Why not more when the demand is there? "Four's just fine, but we'll be back," he said.

He has an enduring relationship with his New Zealand fans, who are travelling from as far afield as Auckland and Invercargill. The fiercely loyal will attend all four concerts. Diamond says he first became aware of his intergenerational appeal six years ago.

Diamond's first show is at the WestpacTrust Centre tomorrow night.

Die-hard fans pay $720 for Diamond gigs

It is going to be an expensive week for devoted Neil Diamond fans Jim and Gaynor Le Comte.   The Christchurch couple are going to all four of the rock superstar's shows at the WestpacTrust Centre. They have already paid $720 for their tickets, and will take along plenty of cash to buy T-shirts, coffee mugs, fridge magnets, and other memorabilia.

The Le Comtes do not do things by halves when it involves their favourite rock stars. They are also avid Cliff Richard fans. Mrs Le Comte is the local organiser of Sir Cliff's fan club.  "The cost of following Neil's not too bad," she says. "When Cliff comes to town and does 18 shows throughout New Zealand, there's not only the tickets, but travel and accommodation."

The Le Comtes are not big earners, but do not scrimp on their passion for attending pop concerts. "We spend our money on touring and having fun. That's why we live in an old house," Mrs Le Comte
said.  Their house is a shrine to their idols, with memorabilia collected from past tours crammed in every nook and cranny. They do not think their interest is obsessive. It is no different to supporters who follow sports teams overseas, they say.

They have been to three Neil Diamond concerts, and are positive another four will not be overkill.  The Le Comtes went backstage yesterday to watch Diamond's team putting up his revolving stages and lighting and sound systems.

Diamond will entertain more than 32,000 people at his concerts tonight, tomorrow, Tuesday, and Wednesday.

'Sacrifice' costs couple more than $2000

An Auckland couple want their names added to the list of Neil Diamond fans happy to spend a fortune to see their rock idol.   Julie Spillet, of Howick, said she was impressed by the Christchurch couple who had forked out $720 to see all four of Diamond's shows, but that was nothing compared to her and her husband, John's, $2200 outlay.   "We've spent about $2200 to fly down, see two shows, stay at a hotel, and other incidentals. That's $1100 per concert," she said.

Her husband had a small printing business but with four children aged 16, 14, 13, and 11, and a $100,000 mortgage it was money they could ill afford, she said.  "We really had made a sacrifice to see our adored and wonderful Diamond. We could still have the money in the bank but you only live once," she said.

Neil Diamond's Saturday night show had been wonderful and she and her husband had enjoyed it from the third row from the front, she said. They had gone to his concert in Auckland three years ago and were hoping he would come to Auckland next time.

Neil Diamond performed at the WestpacTrust Centre in Christchurch last night and will do so again tomorrow night and on Wednesday.

   Bunker fit for Diamond

PHOTO: DAVID ALEXANDER
Alan Cowie and Jude Meyer transformed a concrete bunker for
Neil Diamond

 An aroma of half-smoked cigars pervades the concrete bunker. It banishes the   reek of sweat and
liniment.  Neil Diamond's room at the WestpacTrust Centre has been converted from a basketball changing room.

Christchurch architectural designers Jude Meyer and Alan Cowie were hired by  show promoter Paul Dainty to create a luxury suite from bland concrete. The usual celebrity rooms were too small. Diamond needed one long enough to warm up for his act by running up and down. He wanted two sofas, one long enough for a nap, and a massage couch.  Fresh flowers, New Zealand art on plush wall panels, and Christchurch designed furniture and rugs are features of the conversion. The sequinned suits of a stage idol share hanging space with a brace of comfy bathrobes. A pair of black, pointed boots stands by two well-worn moccasins. Two stogies sit in a glass ashtray.

Diamond arrives three hours before the show. He relaxes with television and video and the choice of 13 types of tea, coffee, and a mini fridge of mineral water and Coke.  He takes a massage, he exercises, he showers, he changes, he puts on make-up, all the time drawing on cigars. He is attended by his manager, his masseuse, and his wardrobe assistant. He leaves briefly to check his 10-piece band is ready to rock.

After the show Diamond has no time to wind down in his suite. In a few minutes he is on his private bus, which, followed by two cars, bears his entourage to his city hotel.

Neil Diamond in Chch

Neil Diamond at the WestpacTrust Centre.
Saturday, June 12. Reviewed by Keith
Nunes.






Rapturous applause ushered Neil Diamond to theWestpacTrust Centre stage on Saturday night for the first of his four sell-out concerts in Christchurch.

The enthusiasm from the wildly supportive crowd never faltered through the nearly 2½-hour concert and seemed to lift the legendary singer-songwriter.  Without opening acts or an interval Diamond, 58, paced himself superbly, sprinkling gentle love songs in between uptempo rockers.

Wearing his trademark sparkly shirt atop black trousers,  Diamond nimbly wandered around the revolving stage all evening, talking to the crowd, personalising his songs, and injecting humour into the show.  The lighting was entertaining in its own right; Diamond's band of 23 years was spirited and precise; and the crowd, which ranged in age from twenties to seventies, were attentive and frenzied when the moment suited.

He sang many of his hits, drawing people to their feet regularly with Shilo, I'm a Believer, Forever in Blue Jeans, Song Sung Blue, and the opening track, Beautiful Noise.   He orchestrated the crowd's role during a rousing rendition of Sweet Caroline and had them off their seats again for the gospel-like Brother Love's Travelling Salvation Show.

Diamond and the crowd seemed moved with his working of Play Me and his duet with support singer Linda Press on You Don't Bring Me Flowers, which ended with an artful kiss.

The only questionable move he made was the 15 minutes spent on movie song tributes (from his latest album).  Several of his own hits would have been preferable. But that was a minor quibble.

The consummate performer then swung back into his own songs and the crowd was back in synch, singing the words, clapping, and stamping their feet.

A great show Mr Diamond!

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