Neil Diamond tour includes BOK Center
To the delight of his millions of fans, legendary singer, songwriter and performer Neil Diamond will return to concert stages this summer for a 37-city North American tour including a concert performance at Tulsa’s BOK Center. Last Tuesday, Diamond announced he'd be going back on the road via a surprise televised appearance on the scoreboard at Boston's Fenway Park.
With a four-decade long career that has seen more than 125 million records sold worldwide, 36 Top 40 hits, a Grammy, a Golden Globe and thousands of sold-out shows all over the globe, Neil Diamond remains one of the most vital and innovative forces in modern music. The 2008 summer tour will deliver a familiar yet unique fan experience featuring amazing production, innovative stage design and, of course, an unparalleled set list of Diamond’s most beloved hits. In addition to classics such as “Sweet Caroline,” “I’m a Believer,” and “Cherry, Cherry,” Diamond will perform new, never before performed live songs from his upcoming, highly anticipated album, Home Before Dark, his second collaboration with renowned producer Rick Rubin, to be released by Columbia Records on May 6th.
During the traditional eighth-inning sing-a-long of Diamond’s classic “Sweet Caroline,”—a longtime Fenway tradition—the singer appeared April 8th in a televised, big-screen broadcast, proclaiming to fans that he will be performing live in concert at the historic Fenway Park on Saturday, August 23rd, 2008.
Diamond’s prolific body of work includes “You Don't Bring Me Flowers” (the powerful duet with Barbra Streisand), “I Am, I Said” and “Cracklin’ Rosie,” as well as hits from his album and movie The Jazz Singer (“America,” “Love on the Rocks”) and from his acclaimed 2005 album 12 Songs. The album marked his first project with Rubin, which entered the Billboard Top 200 at No. 4 – marking Diamond’s highest-charting debut to date – and offered a stripped-down, emotionally honest and passionately compelling approach that continues on Home Before Dark.
Like all great Neil Diamond albums, Home Before Dark is a powerful work, crossing generational lines with an extraordinary range and level of songcraft. Imbued with the same style of inspired melodies that has made his music so enduring, the album’s highlights include the stunning lead single “Pretty Amazing Grace” and a striking duet with the Dixie Chicks’ Natalie Maines entitled “Another Day (That Time Forgot).” The new collection was written by Diamond and recorded in Los Angeles with guitarist Mike Campbell, keyboardist Benmont Tench (Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers), bassist/acoustic guitarist Smokey Hormel and guitarist Matt Sweeney. The album will also be available as a deluxe version that includes two bonus tracks and a DVD with rare footage of Diamond in the studio.
The BOK Center, an 18,500 – seat entertainment venue scheduled to open Fall of 2008, is managed by SMG, the world leader in venue management, marketing and development. Headquartered in Philadelphia, SMG provides management services to over 200 public assembly facilities including arenas, stadiums, performing arts centers, theatres and convention, conference and trade centers.