Neil Diamond Thanks Colorado Firefighters With Surprise Performance

Scott Legato / RockStarProPhotography.com – Neil Diamond
The Palace Of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Mich.

Neil Diamond gave an unexpected performance for firefighters battling a blaze near his Colorado home, taking the stage Friday night to sing “Sweet Caroline” for firefighters gathered at the command post battling a blaze near Basalt in central Colorado.

“It was my honor,” read a tweet from Diamond’s official Twitter. “Our entire community is grateful to the firefighters, first responders and incident command folks from the #LakeChristineFire. As our town rests a little easier, our hearts are breaking for the lives lost in the California fires still burning out of control.”

Two people are accused of igniting the Lake Christine Fire on July 3 by firing incendiary tracer rounds at a shooting range.

The 20-square mile (51-square kilometer) fire has destroyed three homes. About 450 people are helping battle the blaze, which at press time is mostly contained.  

– Neil Diamond
performs for Colorado firefighters

Diamond has always been noted for his charitable efforts and compassion. 

“I can remember doing shows in Houston shortly after a hurricane there,” said Jeff Apregan, who has worked Diamond star in various capacities including as North American tour promoter, tour director and in the earlier days as promoter rep and tour manager.

“I remember him meeting the mayor of Houston. He made the commitment on that tour to carve out proceeds from merchandise to help rebuild the town. There’s lots of those kinds of stories. He’s absolutely given back.

“He has always been an incredibly generous person,” said Apregan, who runs the Apregan Group and is president of the Gridiron Stadium Network. ”He took great care of his band and took great care of the people around him. He’s been incredibly loyal.”

Diamond retired abruptly from touring in January after he says he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. His legacy on the touring world can not be overstated, as since 1986, Diamond sold more than 1 million tickets annually three times (1989, 1992, 1996) and grossed more than $100 million (in today’s dollars) in 2008 according to Pollstar data.

Nine times he was in the Top 10 on Pollstar’s Year End Top Tours chart, most recently in 2008 as No. 6 Worldwide. He was the third-biggest tour of the year on three separate occasions – 1986, 1993, 1996, which grossed $39 million, $51 million and $51 million in today’s dollars, respectively. While tickets were a lot cheaper in those days (average ticket price to see Diamond in 1986 was $18.50) he made up for it in sheer volume, with many years doing more than 70 shows.