Tom Sadge and Neil Diamond Neil's bodyguard in background Photo by Linda Pollard 12-13-99

In order to understand why these photos have such meaning to Tom Sadge, you have to go back to the beginning... The year was 1966. Tom Sadge wasn't even out of grade school but he knew his musical likes and dislikes. And he knew when he heard Neil Diamond singing Solitary Man over his transistor radio that he was hearing something very special. The voice, the melody...it was all so haunting and so beautiful. And so it was that Tom began then and there to emulate the voice and style of Neil Diamond.

First it was with a garage band..you know, three or four kids getting together to make music the best they can. Later it was as lead vocalist with Tom's first "real" band. Real because they got paid. The years went by. Musical styles, hairstyles, and lifestyles changed...and Tom changed with them. But there was one constant in Tom Sadge's life--his admiration for the unique and beautiful music of Neil Diamond. The band and Tom now found themselves in Massachusetts and later in Florida. But no matter where they performed folks remarked on how closely Tom's voice resembled that of Neil Diamond. By now singing like Neil Diamond came naturally.

Tom Sadge and Neil Diamond Photo by Linda Pollard 12-13-99

Tom Sadge, Neil Diamond, and bodyguard Photo by Linda Pollard 12-13-99

Flash forward to late 1999. Tom Sadge, now married and the father of two, has been a full-time entertainer for over 20 years. There have been many more changes over the ensuing years: during his long career he's evolved from lead singer in a band to solo singing impressionist of Sinatra, Elvis, Engelbert, and others to, since 1997, a Neil Diamond impersonator. And so, when the news broke in October of 1999 that Neil Diamond and his band were coming to the NEPA Arena as the first act to perform there, Tom realized that a life-long dream of meeting the man who had inspired his career was a step closer to being fulfilled.

Neil Diamond at NEPA Civic Arena, Wilkes-Barre, PA 12/13/99 Photo by Sylvia Stevens

Neil Diamond at NEPA Civic Arena, Wilkes-Barre, PA 12/13/99 Photo by Sylvia Stevens

To make a long story short, and without going into all the details, let us just say that the photos you see here are testimony to the fact that dreams do come true. Not only did Tom have the pleasure of meeting many fellow Diamondheads (too many to name here but you know who you are!) over the course of the three days that Neil and his band were in Wilkes-Barre, but he also became well-acquainted with Neil's popular steel drummer, Vince Charles. Vince's CD signing at the Brass Rail was a great success in every way. Wilkes-Barre loved Vince and Vince seemed to love Wilkes-Barre back! The local media such as the Citizens' Voice Newspaper and WBRE (NBC) Channel 28 were honored to have Vince available for interviews.

Tom Sadge, Vince Charles, and Jerry Kishbaugh, Citizen's Voice Newspaper Music Writer Photo by Debbie Andresen (Read Mr. Kishbaugh's article on Vince Charles' website)

Vince Charles and Fred Sadge, son of Tom and Marion Sadge Photo by Tom Sadge

Vince poses with pretty fans, Debbie, Linda, and Kathy Photo by Tom Sadge

Tom was also thrilled to meet most of the rest of Neil's band: King Errisson, Linda and Reine Press, Hadley Hockensmith, Doug Rhone, Tom Hensley and Alan Lindgren. And as if that wasn't enough, on the last night that Neil Diamond and his band were to spend in town, Tom was approached by Neil Diamond himself, who graciously posed for several photos with Tom.

L-R: Tom Sadge, Reine and Linda Press, King Errisson, Tom Hensley, Vince Charles, 2 Female Fans Photo by Sylvia Stevens

L-R: Tom Sadge, Reine and Linda Press, King Errisson, Tom Hensley, Alan Lindgren Photo by Linda Pollard

Tom Sadge and Linda Press Photo by Linda Pollard

Tom Sadge, Alan Lindgren and Tom Hensley Photo by Sylvia Stevens

Tom Sadge and King Errisson Photo by Marion Sadge

Vince Charles,Tom Sadge and King Errisson Photo by Marion Sadge

Reine Press Photo by Tom Sadge Hadley Hockensmith and Doug Rhone Bodyguard behind them Photo by Tom Sadge	Tom with Neil's personal bodygard Photo by Sylvia Stevens Tom Sadge is now a believer: Dreams do come true. And he would like to thank those who helped in so many ways: Toni and Dennis McLaughlin, Vince Charles, Sylvia and Lori Stevens, Linda Pollard, Debbie Andresen, Liz Reynolds, Lily Kussy, Marion, Fred, Therese, and all the many others whom he's met along the way:

---

"Thank you, Mr. Diamond" - Tom Sadge

---

The photos on this page are Copyright the listed Photographers. Permission to use them was secured by Tom Sadge only, and using these images elsewhere on the Internet without prior PERMISSION is strictly against the law and constitutes infringement.

Website Graphics and Design by Toni McLaughlin