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Ailing Neil Diamond pledges refunds, cancels shows

Janene Bushey, who is 53 and has seen Diamond 14 times, said, “I about fainted when he came out and said, ‘Hello, Columbus,’ because I knew something was wrong.”

Neil Diamond @ MSG (more by Eric M. Townsend)
Neil Diamond

After a subpar performance Monday night in Value City Arena, Neil Diamond yesterday apologized and offered refunds to the 11,000 people who attended the concert.

“Dear Fans in Columbus,” the singer said in a statement, “I haven’t let you down before, and I won’t let you down now. Until you hear from me again remember, You are the sun. I am the moon. You are the words. I am the tune. Forgive me. I love you. Neil.”

Diamond, whose voice was extremely hoarse throughout the show, said yesterday that he is suffering from acute laryngitis. Ordered by doctors to rest his voice, he canceled his two other shows this week — today in Green Bay, Wis., and Friday in St. Louis.

Some industry veterans said they’d never heard of a performer offering refunds because of the quality of the show.
[The Columbus Dispatch]

Remaining tour dates below…

Neil Diamond – 2008 Tour Dates
Sep 10 – Reschedule-Scottrade Center St. Louis, Missouri
Sep 12 – Reschedule- Resch Center Green Bay, Wisconsin

Sep 14 – MTS Centre Winnipeg, Manitoba
Sep 16 – Rexall Place Edmonton, Alberta
Sep 18 – Pengrowth Saddledome Calgary, Alberta
Sep 20 – General Motors Place Vancouver, British Columbia
Sep 22 – Rose Garden Portland, Oregon
Sep 24 – Key Arena Seattle, Washington
Sep 26 – Arco Arena Sacramento, California
Sep 28 – HP Pavilion San Jose, California
Oct 1 – Hollywood Bowl Hollywood, California
Oct 2 – Hollywood Bowl Hollywood, California
Oct 4 – Staples Center Los Angeles, California
Oct 7 – San Diego Sports Arena San Diego, California
Oct 10 – Jobing.com Arena Glendale, Arizona
Oct 12 – AT&T Center San Antonio, Texas
Oct 14 – Toyota Center Houston, Texas
Oct 16 – American Airlines Center Dallas, Texas
Oct 19 – Ford Center Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Oct 21 – BOK Center Tulsa, Oklahoma
Oct 24 – St. Pete Times Forum Tampa, Florida
Oct 26 – BankAtlantic Center Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
Oct 28 – Amway Arena Orlando Orlando, Florida
Oct 30 – Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena Jacksonville, Florida