Way back in the early 70’s, the Beatles were riding high,
Rockin’ Elvis was still ‘The King’, and Cliff was making us sigh.
The Big ‘O’ had such a wonderful range, the Beach Boys were surfing a wave,
Ricky Nelson was a ‘Travellin’ Man’, and Bob Dylan didn’t shave!!

And then the radio stations, started playing ‘Sweet Caroline’,
‘Cherry Cherry’ and ‘Cracklin’ Rosie’, were getting me feeling just fine.
And the record stores had posters, of a sexy looking gent,
With long hair and eyes that followed me, everywhere I went.

Neil Diamond on a ‘Hot August Night’ with a voice that stirred my heart,
The words of his songs, and the music he wrote, were wonderful pieces of art.
I played the album over and over, when the family was gone for the day,
The chores were a breeze while Neil was singing, and all worries drifted away.

Soon I found ‘Rainbow’ an album of covers, and I wanted to hear so much more,
Why hadn’t our Aussie radio stations, promoted such talent before.
I searched the shops for albums, and bought from wide and far,
And recorded them onto audio tapes, so I could listen to Neil in the car.

In early December of ’75, an announcement that set me aglow,
Neil was coming to Melbourne, to put on his Travelling Show!!!
The tickets were safe in my keeping, before the end of the year,
In March we would go to the Music Bowl, and all of Neil’s songs we would hear.

It was a beautiful balmy evening, as we all crowded into the Bowl,
Waiting to hear those fabulous sounds that we knew would stir the soul.
The seating was only at the front, the grass was where we’d all sit,
But we were there with Neil, and so, nothing else mattered a bit.

He sang all the songs I’d grown to love, and even though we were so far away,
And couldn’t see those wonderful eyes, we could hear all he had to say.
When he asked us to join in on ‘Song Sung Blue’, and picked first this group, then that,
I stood and sang with everyone, no-one noticed my singing was flat!!

Our Moomba festival fireworks, could be seen as Neil sang in the night,
Adding a beautiful background of stars, to our Diamond shining so bright.
Many years, many songs, and a couple more shows, have been greatly enjoyed since that time,
And Neil, you still shine, and your songs still entwine, all our souls with their rhythm and rhyme.

Finally – Neil’s landed in Melbourne, he’s on the news for a minute or two,
He says that he’ll keep coming back, as long as we want him to!
After all these long months of waiting, it’s June 5^th – Neil’s first Melbourne show,
The atmosphere’s electric, and we’re sitting in the third row :-}
As the seats start to fill, I find my new friends, FOND members and folk from online,
We chat as we wait for Neil to appear, so thrilled that it’s almost time.

The announcement comes, the lights will soon dim, ‘Please take your seats one and all’
Here’s the band - we welcome them loudly, and now - the moment we’ve waited for.
‘Ladies and gentlemen – Neil Diamond’ - and he strides down the roped off aisle,
Runs up the steps and onto the stage, beaming that wonderful Neil Diamond smile..
‘Hello Again, Melbourne’ – he calls to us all, ‘Hello again Neil’ we reply,
Thunderous applause nearly lifts off the roof, we’re all on a real big ‘Neil high’!!!

From ‘Beautiful Noise’ to start off the night, through so many wonderful songs,
Some rock and some ballads, we know them all. Neil chats and we sing along.
Our magical musician of rhyme, holds us all in the palm of his hand,
Songs to touch our very souls – and there’s one just from the band!!
He includes tracks from the ‘Movie Album’ – a time to wonder and sigh,
‘Unchained Melody’ – oh what a song, it brings a tear to my eye.

Too soon it’s time for him to go, but we still want much more,
Please Neil, don’t leave us yet, we shout and clap – ‘Encore’!
He’s back to sing a couple more songs, we knew he couldn’t go,
Without giving a stirring rendition, of ‘Brother Loves Travellin’ Show’!
Thank you Neil – we love you – please come back again soon,
And weave your magic spell again, as you have this May and June.

On Tuesday night, I’m back again, my friend Betty convinced me to go,
I’m so glad she did because tonight – we’re sitting in the front row!!!!!
Closer still to my Diamond so bright, my dream at last come true,
There’s no words to describe my feelings, perhaps you’ve felt them too?
Neil gives us another brilliant show, and just when we think that it’s done,
He has a special surprise for us, he’s singing another song:-}

Or that towards the end of the nineties, thanks to technology,
A wonderful thing called the internet
Would unite fans from across the sea.
And let us talk to each other, through email and ICQ
Posting our thoughts on message boards
And making our own Neil sites too!
Discussing our love of Neil's concerts, and all his Beautiful Noise,
Talking of other interests,
And sharing life's griefs and its joys.

The world now seems a smaller place, it's so easy to say "Hello"
And Neil has helped us make new friends,
Do you think he'll ever know?
Could that be part of the magic, the reason he wrote the songs?
Drawing from his experience,
Hoping we'd all come along
On a journey with him to discover love - or a way to ease the pain,
To reach out our hands to each other
And experience joy once again.

I'm sure he knows that he touches us, deep inside our souls
And his music is his gift to us,
Whether we're young or old,
It's a gift I'll always treasure, as millions of other fans will,
He wrote it to send us a message,
And he is writing still.
We hope he continues to search his soul, finding words that will inspire,
Singing them in his wonderful voice,
Setting us all on fire.

Our Special Diamond was due to have a special Diamond Day
And OZ FOND wanted to celebrate in a very special way
The committee got together and came up with a plan
A whole weekend of fun to say Happy 60^th to our Diamond man
Rooms were booked at the Duxton Hotel where we’d stay to celebrate
Friends would come from overseas and many from interstate

We started on Friday with tea at Southbank and caused a bit of a stir
Wearing Neil Diamond shirts and badges there was no doubting who we were!!
Back at the Hotel with more of the group, there were videos to view
We just can’t get enough of Neil, in his videos old and new
Saturday there’s fun decorating the room, lots of friends lending a hand
Making final checks on the slide show – and Peter’s arrived with the band!!

At 7 we meet for savouries and drinks, and to check out the merchandise stall
There’s plenty Neil goodies to gladden our hearts, enough for one and all
Then it’s into the ballroom for dinner, to Neil’s singing and slide show we eat
Now we can all get ready to dance, Peter Byrne’s here to get us up on our feet

And what a show he puts on for us, he’s such a fabulous guy
Singing all our favourite songs – we’re all on a Peter/Neil high!!!!!
After about an hour, Peter takes a well deserved break
But comes back out to sing Happy Birthday – then Lissa and I cut Neil’s cake :-}

Soon Peter’s back to sing more Neil, we all dance, clap and sing along
Including two wonderful 8 year old boys – they’re so glad they came along
Too soon the show is over, Peter stays to sign autographs
Has pics taken with all of us, gives us kisses and shares a few laughs
We finally all have to say goodnight and off to bed we go
There’s still Sunday to look forward to, when to the Fitzroy Gardens we go