Speaking of Chicago … with SUPER DIAMOND

By Jae-Ha Kim
Chicago Sun-Times
January 25, 2002

The first time Randy Cordero–lead singer of the Neil Diamond tribute band Super Diamond–met Diamond, he wasn’t sure what to expect.

“He was so nice to us,” says Cordero, phoning from his San Francisco home. “He came backstage before one of our shows last year in Hollywood. We talked for about half an hour. He thanked me for what we were doing. I thanked him for not suing us. He was really cool and down to earth–just an all around nice guy.”

And, no, Cordero–who goes by the stage name Surreal Neil–wasn’t glammed up in Diamond gear.

“I don’t really look like him and don’t make that much of an effort to,” says Cordero. “I looked a little like him (ca. 1972) for a few years in the ’90s when I had long hair. But I don’t really consider myself an impersonator so much as an interpreter.”

Potato, po-tah-to.

Laughing, Cordero adds, “Yeah, I know. Just call it what it is. But my band name, Surreal Neil, is how I feel about doing the shows. I’m not doing it exactly the way he does his concerts, but giving it my own interpretation.”

After their meeting, the pair got to show off their own interpretations when Diamond joined Cordero on stage to perform “I Am I Said.”

“Now that was a surreal moment. It was so much fun.”

Though he’s best known for his work in the 9-year-old band, Cordero says Super Diamond isn’t his greatest passion. That would belong to his own music. “My songs sound nothing like Neil Diamond’s. It’s more alternative, progressive rock. It’s kind of intense.”

In other words, it’s not something the Friends of Neil Diamond (FOND) would necessarily would run out to purchase. Speaking of which, FOND is going to be out in full force at Super Diamond’s shows this weekend.

“They’re coming out to celebrate Neil’s birthday, which is later this month. They’re a little bit older than our usual crowd, which is in its 20’s and 30’s, so it should be fun mix of first generation Neil Diamond fans and kids who’re just getting into him now.”

SPEAKING OF CHICAGO, Super Diamond had this to say:

Favorite restaurant: Gino’s East, the place with all the writing on the wall. We wrote our names on it, too.

Favorite Chicago food: We had really good Chinese food, but the pizza stood out a little more. It was really good.

Favorite hotel: We’ve only stayed at the House of Blues Hotel, but we really like it. The artwork is a lot of fun.

Favorite Chicago experience: Going to see Sue at the [Field Museum].

Favorite Chicago personality: Jeff Tweedy of Wilco.

Most memorable Chicago performance: A guy proposed on stage once. He had e-mailed us and asked if he could do it during our show. We wanted to make it seem like it wasn’t already planned, so we told him to jump on stage and we’d had security act like they were going to throw him off stage. Then I’d say, “Wait, did you want something?” and he’d whisper in my ear like it was a secret.

Favorite hang time in Chicago with another group: Smashmouth was in the audience at one of our shows and some of my band was partying with some of their band in the hotel bar. … They said that all the good-looking women were in our audience.

Favorite venue to perform in: House of Blues.

Favorite thing to do in Chicago during your time off here: I like jogging by the lakefront, shopping and going to the museums.

Favorite Chicago souvenir: I was so cold during one trip here that I went out and bought a sweatshirt.

Best thing about playing to Chicago audiences: All the beautiful ladies.

The last word on Chicago: It’s the friendliest city in the nation.

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Super Diamond
9 p.m. tonight and Saturday
Tickets, $16.50
House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn
(312) 923-2000