It all started with an idea some years ago when long-time friend, Julius, suggested to Steve that they produce a stadium concert with the songs of Neil Diamond. I do believe that it took a lot of convincing to get Steve to believe that he could pull this off without having to rely on a corporate single sponsor that might try to control the narrative of the show. And then COVID got in the way and put paid to an actual outdoor event where a huge audience could be present. But finally, all the stars aligned and it was a go! Yes there were 'nay-sayers' and those who did not believe that this event would actually take place. But BLIKSEM, were they proved wrong,
There was one full day of musical rehearsals at a venue in Midrand. A 30-piece symphony orchestra together with a 20-piece on-stage band were brought together to make the music of Neil Diamond come to life in the best possible way.
Getting ready to be tinkled? No, certainly not. When you do Diamond a piano gets played!
Time to make certain that all is in tune. Does anyone tune by ear anymore? Nowadays it seems to all be electronic. Price of progress?
Drumming up support. This is what the audience does
not get to see.
Hidden in the depths of the pit on either side of the stage, a cellist is often hidden from the view of the audience and this is all that they get to see.
I always wonder if flute players are glad that they chose this particular instrument as it is easy to carry and pack. Unlike a double bass player, that has a lot of weight to carry around.
Without the rigging team high in the sky, the event would NOT have taken place. I am in awe of these seemingly fearless professionals who go where people like me fear to tread. I enjoy terra firma and the firma it is the less the terror.
The orchestra POV.
Even the medic on duty was singing along...and why not? I don't think that there is a person in the known world that does not know the songs of Neil Diamond. I have visions of astronauts landing on Mars, opening the hatch and belting out "Sweet Caroline" only to be answered by the Martian inhabitants going" Oh, Oh, Oh"...
Perfect weather for the rehearsal. Steve doen Diamond better than Diamond does Diamond.
Videographer Kobus worked his magic during the rehearsal. The hand and arm belong to Steve.
The event took place in the shadow of the imposing Voortrekker Monument. The amphitheatre venue is one of the largest in South Africa and has seen, and will continue to see some great events. BTW, the next event there will be the Rabbit reunion concert in June 2023.
Although no rain was forecast, the weather department certainly got that wrong. We were all hoping that these would blow over, but we too were proved wrong.
And when the rain came down, which it did in bucket loads, none of the audience moved! Some had come prepared while others used chairs or plastic bags to try to keep dry.
A concerned sound engineer made certain that all his equipment was safe before giving the 'all clear' to proceed.
One of the hardest working members of the audio crew. Were it not for him and his almost invisible team, the audience would have heard nothing and there would have been 50 angry musicians on stage. Not to mention one really annoyed singer.
Time to get the party started! And what a party it turned out to be, despite the deluge.
I had forgotten just how special it is when an orchestra hits that opening note. Goosebumps all round.
A solo violinist gets the show started...and the audience goes wild.
And out of the darkness steps Steve himself! This jacket was later sold post the concert for R5000.00 and that money was donated to a charity of Steve's choosing.
It was all too much for certain audience members...In this case, Steve's daughter just wanted to be held while her Pappa sang.
One day she will understand just how iconic a figure her father actually is.
And net somer so was dit alles verby.
There are already talks about Steve Doen Steve in 2024 and ticket sales have already begun. I, like the 20k-strong audience who were at this event, cannot wait.
A big thank you to all those behind-the-scenes people who made this event the success that it was.
I believe that this was the tip of the iceberg and there are even greater things down the road for live concerts in South Africa by our own artists.
We need to show our home-grown talent how proud we are of them and what they have done for South African music of all genres.
And if you are wondering what part I played in this concert, have a look at this video, done by the very talented Kobus Zietzman. https://youtu.be/JKTs625U0AI
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