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This was written by Neil’s father after the Carnegie Hall concert. It appeared in one of the early fan club newsletters.
“A Night To Remember”
Carnegie Hall ý Saturday, October 24, 1970
Could this be happening to us? Are we here, with a full capacity audience, getting ready to watch our son perform. Could we possibly express our joys and emotions at this time? I don’t know–but they are there filled to the brim. Tense? Of course we are tense. We drove up by chauffeured limousine to the crowded entrance of Carnegie Hall. Rose looked elegant, radiant and happy. Our other son and wife also had that glow of excitement of things to come.
The lights dimmed and our hearts kept pounding away. We endured the first act, Donna and Hedge, who were two beautiful performers. But, let’s face it; we came to see Neil.
We were uptight with anxiety and were relieved when the unexpected intermission came. It gave us the opportunity to see our friends and relatives, and chat with great excitement and joy, for we were also the celebrities of the evening. We were filled with great pride and prestige to have that many eyes on us.
The lights dimmed again and we sat stoned with great expectations of Neil’s performance. Neil came on and was very warmly received. The audience seemed to know what song he was going to sing just by hearing a few bars of the introduction. It seemed to us that they loved him, we did. His comments were humorous and witty and his explanations to some of the songs were a revelation and added to the excitement of the song.
Now came “Brooklyn Roads” our favorite. Rose and I clutched hands so tight that the pain from our nails digging into our skin was unimportant. This was our song, our memories, our tears. Yes we cried, but they were tears of joy. Yes this was certainly a night to remember.
It seemed that every song brought the house down, but the last number “Brother Love” was so full of feeling and excitement, it brought all of Carnegie Hall to their feet for a standing ovation.
Thrill of thrills for parents to witness this phenomenon–again tears of joy. Rose and I looked at each other in disbelief. Can this be happening to our son? To us? If this is a dream don’t wake me. Neil was the star of the show, but as I said, we also were the celebrities, and loved every minute of it. We were surrounded by our friends, relatives, fans and well-wishers–kissing, hugging and handshaking. It was a wonderful scene and again it was “A Night To Remember.”
Our limousine was waiting as we left the stage door and the street was loaded with people waiting to get a glimpse of Neil. Instead, they got second best–they got us. Believe it or not, Rose signed autographs and we posed for pictures. Didn’t I say that we also were the celebrities? We were chauffeured to the Essex House for the press party, where everyone in the field of music and TV were present. It was a wonderful party, with the excitement and joy of just being there.
Our chauffeur was waiting for us as we exited the hotel, door being held open for us. We were deliciously exhausted, physically and emotionally, but who cared? It most certainly was a “Night to Remember.”
Billboard
November 7, 1970
Neil Diamond–Carnegie Hall, NY
By Joe Taras
Bursting onto the Carnegie Hall Stage Oct. 24, Neil Diamond unleashed a powerful barrage of energy and talent. Backed by four first-rate musicians, the Uni Records artist concentrated heavily on his own compositions. His hard-driving performances of “Sweet Caroline,” “Holly Holy” and ” Solitary Man” were only surpassed by his exceptional “Cracklin’ Rosie.” Also well received were smooth treatments of Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now” and Bob Russell’s “He Ain’t Heavy…He’s My Brother,” his latest single release. Diamond’s closer “Brother Love’s Traveling Salvation Show,” which had the added support of the Howard Roberts Chorale, proved to be the blockbuster of the evening.
Opening the first half of the show were Capitol Records Hedge and Donna, who displayed good stage presence and vocal work, but were hampered by a lack of strong material.