Raspy Neil Diamond Offers Refunds

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Disappointed Neil Diamond fans will get a refund after attending a concert at Ohio State University in which the 67-year-old singer's voice sounded raspy.

Some fans left the Monday concert early and others said Diamond completed the concert without mentioning anything to the audience about his voice.

A statement from Diamond, the singer of such hits as "Sweet Caroline" and "Song Sung Blue," on Tuesday says a doctor has diagnosed acute laryngitis.

Diamond spokeswoman Eve Samuels says the singer is offering a refund to those who place a request before Sept. 5. "I haven't let you down before and I won't let you down now," the singer said in an apology on his Web site.

Another message says Wednesday's concert in Green Bay, Wis., will be rescheduled for Sept. 12, and Friday's concert in St. Louis, Mo., will instead take place Sept. 10.

___

On the Net:

http://www.neildiamond.com

Comments

[lolyla]

Giving refunds for a concert in which Neil Diamond sounded raspy is like Amy Winehouse refunding ticket prices because she was drunk.

[AgentMacGyver]

That file photo was taken "during a concert"? Pretty subdued.

[gloriar8]

I like him ok. But what I like is that he's old school enough to offer refunds. Respect for his audience.
That wouldn't happen with any of these new artists, you'd just be screwed. Get better Neil.

[anastasiabeaverhousen]

He's always been raspy. There are certain people who should never take the stage again nor should their "contributions to music" ever be played again.

John Denver and Neil Diamond head up the list.

[420usir]

since John Denver is dead, he will not be taking the stage again.

[blowhard]

I didn't know people still listened to Neil Diamond. He should stop singing and start doing something constructive - like joining habitat for humanity..­..sheesh.

[LiberalBuzz]

He should have just been honest and come out, done a couple of songs to demonstrate and then offered either a refund or rescheduled show.

I remember going to see Jimi Hendrix at the Waikiki Shell and after about 3 songs he came to the microphone and said he just wasn't able to do the show and asked everyone to come back in 3 days.

NO PROBLEM, we all came back and he blew the roof off the Shell.

People understand these things and Diamond's audience, being older and more geriatric would be the first to understand.

But yeah he needs to take care of his voice first and reconsider the long touring schedule he keeps.

[meanguy]

i'll pay HIM if he promises never to sing 'sweet caroline' ever again...CR­EEPY

[Kahill]

Neil Diamond stopped ‘singing’ a long time ago. He has been just croaking out his songs on stage. Actually I am surprised anyone noticed any difference! He should just retire gracefully. Nice guy, though.

[desertdweller]

I spent big bucks to see Joni Mitchell a few years back. Having unrealistic expectations of hearing some semblance of her formerly-angelic stylings, I was miserably disappointed to hear a cigarette-­and-whiske­y ruined voice. I wanted my money back. She, like diamond, no longer has any business on a stage.

[spiderbucket]

What about Michael Jackson ? His voiced changed. Bob Dylan ? Who are you to tell someone they should quit doing their job ? If people don't want to go, so be it.

[desertdweller]

Did Bob Dylan's voice change? I hadn't noticed.

[mediamarv]

Of course his voice sounds raspy... he's old! He never had a strong voice when he was young, not much range and all his songs are in a lower register cause he can't hit high notes.
Better writer than singer, always has been.

[peachesmahoney]

Now that Neil is feeling generous, I wonder if he'll give me my $6 bucks back that I spent on seeing the Jazz Singer?

[rini]

I think you would have to have seen the concert in order to comment on the propriety of a refund. If his voice was that bad, I would have thought he would have begged out of the concert. Don't try too hard, Neil.

Of course, I have always found his stuff to be kinda trite and overly affected.

[RichDavid]

His voice has always sounded like that.....T­here is a time when people should just retire.

[gfk]

"...and no one heard at all not even the chair."

[spiderbucket]

Poor guy. Some of those 'fans' acted like Hillraisers. A guy can have an off night. You people should stick to American Idol and lip synching.