Neil Diamond books 50th anniversary tour of Australia

MUSIC legend Neil Diamond will celebrate five decades of hits with an epic Australian tour. But will it be his final one?

CRACKLIN’ Rosie, get on board for Neil Diamond’s 50th anniversary tour of Australia which may be the perennial entertainer’s last concerts here.

The legendary 76-year-old singer and songwriter will celebrate five decades of hits with stadium, winery and arena gigs through March and April next year.

Diamond has enjoyed a sports-led revival thanks to Sweet Caroline being adopted by baseball, football, cricket and AFL fans in the past 20 years.

The trend began with the Boston Red Sox in the late 1990s and the song has become a fixture in the quarter time break of Sydney Swans AFL home games at the Sydney Cricket Ground for the past few years.

The Solitary Man last toured Australia in 2015. Picture: News Corp Australia.

So it is entirely appropriate he kicks off the tour at Townsville’s 1300 Smiles Stadium, the home of the North Queensland Cowboys rugby league team on March 20.

Like the recent tour of Elton John, Diamond was keen to perform in Australian cities he has never visited during his previous tours here and has also booked a concert at the Sunshine Coast Stadium on March 22.

His other concerts are at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on March 24, Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney on March 27, Sutton Grange Winery, Victoria on March 31, Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne on April 3, Roche Estate, Hunter Valley on April 7, Botanic Park, Adelaide on April 11 and Sandalford Estate, Swan Valley on April 14.

Tickets go on sale on November 16 from 2pm (local times) with a Telstra pre-sale from November 14 at 2pm.

Diamond and wife Katie will visit Australia in March and April next year. Picture: Jason Merritt/Getty.

It is believed there will not be additional concerts added to the itinerary with Diamond keen to play tourist with his wife Katie.

Diamond is one of the biggest selling artists in the history of pop music with more than 130 million albums.

Originally published as Neil Diamond books 50th anniversary tour of Australia