From a Diamond to a King: Concert fundraiser for Parkinson’s

Eight years ago, singer-songwriter Neil Diamond, the writer of Sweet Caroline and other hits, revealed that he had Parkinson’s disease, and cancelled his 50 th anniversary tour of Australia. Now, a nationally touring tribute concert featuring Diamond’s music and that of his one-time neighbour – a certain Elvis Presley – aims to raise money for, and awareness of the condition.

From a Diamond to a King (Canberra Southern Cross Club, Woden, Friday 6 th November) stars Diamond tribute artist Peter Byrne and Elvis tribute artist Damian Mullin, accompanied by the Australian Symphony Orchestra.

Byrne says the orchestra and combination of voices will create “a magical sound on stage”. The two award-winning performers will sing 15 or 16 pieces each, including classics like Diamond’s Sweet Caroline and Elvis’s Suspicious Minds , See See Rider and An American Trilogy .

Mullin won the Surfers Paradise 2012 “Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist” semi-final, an official event founded by Elvis Presley Enterprises, and now performs his tribute production Elvis Forever worldwide.

Peter Byrne. Photo supplied

Byrne fell in love with Diamond’s music at an early age – his father introduced him to the songs when he was 15 – and he has performed it for more than 30 years, including orchestrating the music of Diamond’s Hot August Night album to celebrate its 25 th anniversary in 1997 and performing it in Sydney in front of 4,000 people. He has received seven Australian Club Entertainment Awards and several Mo Awards, including Best Production Show, and Diamond himself has publicly thanked him.

When Diamond was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2018, Byrne says he was “completely floored”.

“For some strange reason, the idea came into my head: well, I’ve made a career out of celebrating his music for such a long time and bringing his music to his fanbase here that I need to give something back.”

$10 from every ticket will go to the Shake It Up Australia Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation that promotes and funds research into better treatments and a cure for Parkinson’s disease, in partnership with The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. The Foundation received the ‘Outstanding Achievement’ award in the 2024 Australian Charity Awards.

If 1,000 people come, the concert will raise $10,000 for Parkinson’s research, Byrne – an ambassador for the Foundation – says.

Parkinson’s is a progressive, degenerative neurological condition that affects a person’s control of their body movements, the Foundation states. Brain cells that make dopamine (a chemical that coordinates movement) stop working or die.

The condition is Australia’s fastest-growing neurological disorder: 200,000 people live with Parkinson’s, and 38 new cases are diagnosed every day, according to the Foundation.

Byrne estimates that 90 per cent of people would know someone with Parkinson’s. He knows three or four, including entertainers he has performed with.

“To see friends of mine who have had their whole lives halted because of this awful illness is absolutely soul-destroying,” Byrne said.

Ten to 20 per cent of people with the disease experience symptoms before they turn 50; people as young as 30 can get it. Actor Michael J. Fox (Marty McFly in the Back to the Future trilogy) was only 29. Other celebrities with the condition include Billy Connolly, MASH star Alan Alda, and singer-songwriter Glenn Shorrock.

“It can strike at any time and any age,” Byrne says.

But, he hopes, the concert will raise awareness of the debilitating disease, and the funds raised will go towards finding a cure.

“You’re going to enjoy music that you’ve loved all your life – the 50s, 60s and 70s of Neil Diamond and Elvis Presley – and know at the same time that part of your ticket fee or entrance fee would be going towards a wonderful cause.”

Damian Mullin and Peter Byrne. Photo supplied

From a Diamond to a King , Canberra Southern Cross Club, 6 November, 8pm. (Pre-dinner show available from 6pm.) Tickets: $94.95 (show only), $139.95 (dinner and show). More information: https://www.cscc.com.au/event/from-a-diamond-to-a-king/