Las Vegas Weekly

February 8, 2010 · 8:26 AM

Is Neil Diamond joining Cher and Celine Dion at Caesars Palace?

By Robin Leach

Neil Diamond.

Photo: Courtesy

Superstar singer Celine Dion finally confirmed over the weekend what we have reported here for several weeks -- months, really -- that she’s returning to Caesars Palace. And now we also have news of another superstar likely joining The Colosseum lineup!

Reliable sources also told me over the weekend that there are solid rumors growing that one of America’s most successful singer-songwriters -- Neil Diamond! -- is joining Cher and Celine to complete the Roman Empire’s resort-casino hat trick.

The rumored move for the giant conglomerate AEG to sign Neil ties in with tomorrow’s release of his new, massive two-CD set Hot August Night with all 32 of his career hits from his sold-out run at New York’s Madison Square Garden as the highlight of his record-breaking last tour.

It’s two hours of music also featuring six live performances, none of which were available in the United States until this week. Four Neil Diamond tracks are wholly exclusive to this new album, and his monster classic hits “America,” “Cracklin’ Rosie," “Cherry, Cherry” and “Sweet Caroline” also are included.

A former Brooklyn musician, Neil now lives in Malibu coincidentally near where Cher has a home in her regular commute to Caesars Palace. Just a few weeks ago during Christmas, Neil for the first time opened his home to fans who won a contest to be his guests for dinner at his estate.

If the rumors prove true, it’s believed that AEG and Caesars wooed Neil to Las Vegas because of his extraordinary number of hits through four decades of music and the merchandising opportunities for the Cher-Celine boutique at The Colosseum.

The 69-year-old singer-songwriter was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1984 and in 2000 received the Lifetime Achievement Award. In his last interview with my old friends at Entertainment Tonight, Neil talked about his long career in the music industry.

“It’s been quite a journey. It’s been over 40 years, and I’ve been everywhere you could imagine, and I’ve played for all kinds of people. There’s nothing quite like coming home and playing to your neighbors.”

Meantime, Ticketmaster began promoting an on-sale ticket date for this Friday for Celine’s new run of Colosseum shows to start March 25 next year. It’s expected that Caesars Palace and AEG officials will this week announce Celine’s return home to Las Vegas and confirm our Vegas DeLuxe reports after her appearance on Wednesday’s The Oprah Winfrey Show, where she also reveals that she’s creating a new Caesars Palace show.

I have yet to confirm the dates Neil would start at The Colosseum or any other details about his residency run, but Vegas DeLuxe will have them for you as soon as I learn them despite any immediate denials you might hear!

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.

Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter at Twitter.com/vegasdeluxe.

Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter at Twitter.com/VDLXEditorDon.

Share This