Ahead of The Sweet Caroline Tour: A Tribute to Neil Diamond at Toitoi – Hawke's Bay Arts & Events Centre this Friday, lead star Zac Coombs, from Sydney, told reporter Shannon Johnstone a bit about his career and the role he "was destined to play".
How did you get involved in music?
Music has always been a part of my family life growing up. A wide variety of popular music was played in the Coombs household from 1940s swing jazz, 1950s rock 'n' roll, 1980s heavy metal and 1990s pop music. But performing music started in my teenage years by learning to sing and play guitar with my extended family who also played music. We would sit in circles and sing songs from a wide variety of genres. Music is what brings me the most joy, being able to share that with hundreds of people a night is an absolute dream.
How did you get involved in The Sweet Caroline Tour?
I was offered the role of Neil Diamond in December last year. It was perfect timing after such a tough year in the music industry with Covid. Neil Diamond has always been an artist I admired since I was young, I have great memories of listening to his music in the car with my dad. His music was always the most requested when I was working and travelling on cruise ships around the world and I always felt it was a role I was destined to play.
