![]() “Bette Midler, Cher, Lily Tomlin (to a very small crowd), Josh Groban, Paul McCartney, Neil Diamond a second time, and Holiday Pops concerts are some of my favorites. “One reaction I had from that first show, which featured Neil and the band on a roulette turntable was that it was mentioned on stage that many band members were also featured on many studio recordings, too. His invitation to come see him perform was very kind, and I had no idea he was with Neil Diamond. He is very talented as an individual performer. ![]() I knew him from playing his music on KALA! His genre as a solo artist was mainly new world or international. ![]() “King Errison, he is still a percussionist. He said, ‘I am playing with a guy named Neil.’ LOL! I had no idea, until he sent me vouchers what was going on.” Interesting story…he called me several weeks prior, and I thought he was playing at a bar in Moline. I was invited by his percussionist, King Errison. Some of the names did not roll off the tongue like The MARK, so, it seems to have stuck.” “I always called it The MARK, and everyone knew exactly what you were referring to. “I was at the concert, too, and I saw him again some years later.Ĭrosby, Stills and Nash performing at The MARK (photo by John Greenwood). Because I practically grew up on his music, I was delighted to talk with him - I remember I thanked him for ‘Tap Root Manuscript,’ my favorite Neil Diamond album. “He seemed genuinely excited about being the opening act at the new venue. Neil Diamond’s appearance at the great new facility in Moline was one of the most hotly anticipated interviews I ever had. “I talked to hundreds of celebrities during the years I was an entertainment reporter. Local 4 News spoke to other QC residents to get their impressions of The MARK’s unforgettable opening. In 2023, the arena is still hosting some of the biggest and most exciting events on tour, it said in a release this week.Ĭoming off its most successful year ever (a $2-million profit in the 2022-23 fiscal year), Vibrant Arena at The MARK hosted Santana, Chicago, Snoop Dogg, Frankie Valli, Slipknot, Lynyrd Skynyrd, REO Speedwagon & Styx, Thomas Rhett, Luis Coronel, Carrie Underwood, Bert Kreischer, Judas Priest, Old Dominion and more. Kenny Chesney made his eighth visit to the building, and Reba McEntire became the “Queen of Moline” when she made her ninth stop at the arena on March 18, 2023. Neil Diamond was the first (and remains the biggest selling) concert at the Moline arena (photo by John Greenwood). Diamond returned to Moline three years later (July 10, 1996) and has the fourth biggest audience total for the arena, at 11,532. The two nights of the dazzling Diamond have remained the top-selling shows at the arena in its 30-year history – drawing 11,726 fans the first night and 11,562 the second.
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