A new Neil Diamond tribute act will perform at a series of venues this year with a mission to raise funds for The Giles’ Trust Brain Tumour Fund, part of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham Charity.
Musician Pete Kendal, from Codsall, has played in a number of local bands for over 20 years. He began building the ‘Neil’s Diamond’ show 6 months ago after several audience members told him he sounded like the American legend. After five months of rehearsals Pete and his supporting band are ready to take to the stage to entertain Neil Diamond fans across the Midlands.
“It’s taken me three months of studying recordings and videos of Neil to understand the way he sings and the performance he delivers. The show will be a tribute that celebrates Neil Diamond’s talent. It’ll include his most popular hits Cracklin’ Rosie, Forever in Blue Jeans and, of course, Sweet Caroline,” says Pete.
Nine venues have already been booked with Neil’s Diamond first performance at Cannock Cricket Club. “This will be a warm-up show that gives us the confidence that our full-dress rehearsal and months of preparation delivers the entertaining evening we want. It’ll be a show that is a tribute to the original performances of Neil Diamond, that entertains, and has some surprises too,” reveals Pete.
The show goes on the road across the West Midlands from Cannock to Lichfield, Rugeley and Stafford. As it tours, Neil’s Diamond will be raising money for The Giles’ Trust Brain Tumour Fund through a percentage of the tour’s profits. “We have chosen to support The Giles’ Trust as a family member was recently treated in the Neurology Department at the QE and they provided excellent neurosurgery care. It will be great to be able to give something back,” says Pete.
Mike Hammond, Chief Executive of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham Charity, said “We are extremely grateful to Pete and his band for raising money for The Giles’ Trust Brain Tumour Fund. Brain tumour patients come from all over the West Midlands and even across the country to receive treatment and surgery at the QE. Thanks to our generous supporters we are able to provide added extras to improve our patients’ treatment journey at what is an extremely challenging time for them and their families.”
The Giles’ Trust Brain Tumour Fund was founded in 2015 by former England cricketer Ashley Giles MBE and his wife Stine, following her diagnosis and battle with multiple brain tumours. The charity is celebrating its 10th year in 2025 and since it was launched it has raised over £1.3 million and has proudly funded the very first brain tumour research nurse at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham. The Giles’ Trust continues to grow, funding vital research, investing in state-of-the-art equipment and supporting brain tumour patients. Last year it launched Stine’s Home from Home, which provides free accommodation to brain tumour patients and their families who live far away so they can be just a 5-minute walk from the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.
For more information about The Giles’ Trust Brain Tumour Fund, visit: gilestrust.org
The first performance has already sold out, but there are plenty of other opportunities to see the show. Tickets for Neil’s Diamond’s performances across the West Midlands can be booked here: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/neils-diamond
