A ‘Beautiful’ evening for music on the Pier
By WINTER JOHNSON Special to the Daily Press
SM PIER — The Twilight Dance Series is planning to flash a diamond today — Super Diamond, that is.
But before the band shines, It’s A Beautiful Day, a folk-rock band that emerged from the underground music scene of the San Francisco Bay area in the late ’60s and early ’70s, opens the show this evening. Led by violinist David LaFlamme, who was a soloist with the Utah Symphony and rocked with Janis Joplin and Jerry Garcia, It’s A Beautiful Day scored a big hit in 1969 with “White Bird,” according to officials.
Currently, LaFlamme and his wife, Linda, tour with bass player Toby Gray, Rob Espinosa on guitar, keyboard-player Gary Thomas and drummer Val Fuentes.
Bringing in the nostalgia will be Super Diamond, a tribute band dedicated to spreading the “good word of Neil” with their own interpretations of Neil Diamond music. Each August, Super Diamond performs songs from what is said to be Neil Diamond’s most popular album, “Hot August Nights,” which was recorded live at the Greek Theater in 1972.
Super Diamond frontman Randy Cordeiro, otherwise known as “The Surreal Neil,” has stunned audiences with his impersonation of the famed singer, according to officials. Cordeiro created the character in 1989 when he discovered that he could imitate not only Diamond’s voice, but also his mannerisms and performance style.
Accompanied by keyboard-player James Diamond, guitarist Erik Diamond, bassist Matt Diamond and drummer Vince Diamond, the group will re-create the Neil Diamond experience on the pier tonight.
Super Diamond has performed at many venues across the United States including the House of Blues in Los Angeles, the 4th and B in San Diego, the Fillmore and Bimbo’s 365 in San Francisco, and the Showbox Theater in Seattle.
Concerts start at 7:30 p.m. every Thursday on the Santa Monica Pier’s west parking deck. For more information, visit www.twlightdance.org, or www.santa-monicapier.org. You also can call the pier information line at (310) 458-8900. For bus information, visit bigbluebus.com or call (310) 451-5444, or visit www.mta.net.
Pier officials strongly recommend walking, biking and using mass transit to get to the concerts, as parking is limited. Parking is available in beach parking lots located at 2330 Barnard Way, located south of the pier, and 1550 PCH, just north of the pier.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on August 4, 2005. Read the original PDF.