Joey Purpura will be performing Neil Diamond’s greatest hits—including Cracklin’ Rosie, Sweet Caroline, America, Love on the Rocks and I’m a Believer—at the LaSalle Legion, 7771 Bouvier on Saturday, June 9 beginning at 8 p.m.
“He interacts great with the audience,” says Jim Connelly, who’s in charge of the show for LaSalle Legion Branch 212. “He knows everything about Neil Diamond’s life. I saw him five years ago at the NDG Legion and for the last two, he’s been here in LaSalle.”
Purpura’s show is called “Diamond in the Rough.” The singer developed it after success at a karaoke night eight years ago. He says that his vocal tones and phrasing have convinced some audience members that he’s lip-synching instead of mimicking Neil Diamond’s famous act.
Since then, he’s read a great deal about his idol’s life so that he can include stories about Neil Diamond and his songs during the show.
He’s also worked hard to recreate the various looks of the artist by changing costumes twice. In the first set, he dons bell-bottoms, huge collars and a vest to highlight Diamond’s mid-seventies persona. During the second set, he takes on an eighties vibe with glittery pastel sequined shirts and scarves.
Purpura now gets rave compliments for his performance. “After every performance both the women and men approach me, not only to tell me how much they enjoyed the show, but also to tell me they were teenagers or in their twenties when Neil Diamond emerged, and how I took them back to that special time and place. Or, sometimes, it’s the children of Neil Diamond fans who come up to thank me.”
The 37-year-old Montreal native lives in Toronto, but enjoys returning to his birthplace to perform. He’s now working on future performances of Elton John, Gordon Lightfoot, James Taylor and Creed lead singer Scott Stapp.
Connelly expects to attract 100 people or so to the June 9 LaSalle show. He says that tickets are $20. They’re available for sale at the Legion bar between 11 a.m. and 11 p.m. from Monday until Saturday or from noon until 10 p.m. on Sunday or at the door on the night of the concert. For more information about the Legion, call, (514) 365-0595.
For more information about Joey Purpura and his Neil Diamond Tribute Show, visit www.solitaryman.ca.
