Every cloud has a Diamond lining

News release from Lovelock’s Sports Bar (if Neil Diamond was in town, he’d go there for a pint)

21 February 2011

Every cloud has a Diamond lining

Don't get mad - get a Neil Diamond impersonator. That's what Terry Holman, Wellington's biggest Neil Diamond fan, has gone and done.

It would be safe to say that Terry was less than impressed when he learned that Neil Diamond had cancelled his show, scheduled for Wellington on 4 March.

Terry, part-owner of Lovelock's Sports Bar in Bond Street, told The Dominion Post earlier this month that he was "in suicide mode" after hearing about the cancellation.

"I was going to chuck myself down the bar stairs but I knew my regulars would either just call me a big drama queen or, worse, offer to give me a push. So I decided that if we can't have the real deal in Wellington, we've got to go for the next best thing.

"So I've hired a Neil Diamond tribute act to come and play at Lovelock's on 4 March, same day as Neil would have. Tickets are just $30 and can be purchased at the bar.

Terry says he was inspired to get the band in after being phoned by a bunch of people from Invercargill following his comments in the DomPost. "There's about 30 people from Invercargill who'd already booked their concert tickets and their accommodation. I guess they can't get their hotel money back - so they're coming to Wellington anyway. I told them we'd show them a good time and make them feel like they were still in the presence of the Great Man.

"God knows how many other people are also in the same position - committed to coming to the Capital and then having to find something to do - but they're all welcome on 4 March."

Terry says the Neil Diamond tribute band, led by Paul Madsen from Nelson, are "professional and bloody top-notch. I've made the pilgrimage to see them play at the Foxton RSA a few times - and you'd swear you were at a Neil Diamond concert. It's really is just like Hot August Night - but in Foxton." 

The band - see http://www.madsenpromotions.co.nz/index.php?title=Hot - are also a brilliant Eagles covers act - "so I'll be cutting them a bit of slack and letting them play a few other things on the night. Even I know - actually my regulars tell me - that Neil Diamond can grind down an audience after a while."

Terry says the band are due to start at 8pm. "But there's a Crusaders game on the TV that night so we might get the band to start early so we can have an excuse to turn that drivel off."

He says some of his regulars have expressed disappointment that 'rock and roll' music is making an incursion into Lovelock's - even if just for one night - and that the noise may annoy them. "I've had a quick response just to reassure them. You know that thing about how the customer is always right? Not in my pub they're not."

Terry reckons he is safely Wellington's biggest Neil Diamond fan. Last year his son bought him the numberplate IAMISD, after his dad's favourite Diamond song, I Am I Said.

He says about 20 Lovelock's regulars had signed up to go to the real Neil Diamond concert - most of them have already signed up for the night - so you'll have to get in early. Someone says we should shift the pool table so we can get room for a mosh pit. It should be a great night."

 
ends

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