Zac Coombs will be traversing Tasmania in a four-city tour with his ‘Sweet Caroline Tour: A Tribute to Neil Diamond’.
I quizzed Coombs on the title of the tour: why Sweet Caroline? Is it simply because it is the song that resonates with most people as being classic Diamond?
Coombs agreed, saying the big football clubs the world over sing it, as do the small ones. It simply is the world’s celebration song of choice.
As to who is the titular Caroline, urban legend suggests Princess Caroline of Monaco or Caroline Kennedy. Coombs, who has extensively researched Neil Diamond’s life says that it was a song to Diamond’s wife at the time, Marcia.
Diamond had been in Memphis writing a song to Marcia but was stuck on a three-syllable word that the song required. The name Marcia didn’t fit. Diamond had once been inspired by Caroline Kennedy, so although he did not write the song for her, the name fit the three syllable requirements of the song.
Coombs has taken his tribute act, as a solo performer, on cruises in the USA, Canada and Singapore, to name a few. He has done tribute shows to the Bee Gees, The Beatles and Neil Diamond. In 2022 He has also brought his Beatles tribute to Tasmania in 2017.
A part of his meticulous research Coombs has watched YouTube videos to get a grasp of Diamond’s voice changes through the different periods of time and ‘Neil’ nuances. including his dancing, which Coombs says is as ‘daggy’ as his own.
As for his favourite Diamond song, Coombs nominated ‘Forever in Blue Jeans’ because it ‘brings it all together’ both lyrically and musically’. This tour show will canvas Diamond’s career from the late 1960s to the early 1980s.
A great addition to the shows is that they are family-friendly befitting Diamond’s music appeal to all ages. After all, Diamond’s music has been covered with songs like ‘Red, Red Wine’ by UB40 and ‘I’m a Believer’ by The Monkees. Indeed, Diamond’s music ages as well as red, red wine.
Coombs will be bringing ‘The Sweet Caroline Tour’ to Tasmania on the following dates and venues.
19 March Devonport, Paranaple Theatre – https://www.paranapleartscentre.com.au/
20 March Burnie, Burnie Arts Theatre – https://www.burniearts.net/
21 March Hobart, Wrest Point Showroom – https://wrestpoint.com.au/
22 March Launceston, Country Club Showroom – https://countryclubtasmania.com.au
