Neil Diamond offers gig refund

'Raspy' Diamond offers gig refund

Neil Diamond has enjoyed chart success this year Singer Neil Diamond has offered the audience of a recent concert a refund after performing with a raspy voice. Diamond, 67, was diagnosed with acute laryngitis after the show in Ohio, Cleveland, on Monday. The Sweet Caroline singer released a statement on his website apologising to fans, writing: "I haven't let you down before and I wont let you down now." Fans have until 5 September to seek a refund. Diamond has also cancelled gigs in Wisconsin and Missouri this week. Chart resurgence Wednesday's performance in Wisconsin has been rescheduled for 12 September, while the Missouri gig will now take place on 10 September, Diamond's website also stated. The singer played a series of dates across Europe earlier this year, including a set at the Glastonbury festival in June. In May, Diamond, whose debut album was released in 1966, scored his first UK number one with Home Before Dark. The musician, who has sold more than 125 million records around the world, became the artist who has taken the longest to top the chart with an album of original work.  <SPAN id=intelliTXT itxtvisited="1" _extended="true"> <P itxtvisited="1" _extended="true"><STRONG itxtvisited="1" _extended="true">COLUMBUS, Ohio —  Disappointed Neil Diamond fans will get a refund after attending a concert in which the 67-year-old singer's voice sounded raspy. <P itxtvisited="1" _extended="true">Some fans left the Monday concert early and others said Diamond completed the concert without mentioning anything to the audience at Ohio State University about his voice. <P itxtvisited="1" _extended="true">A statement from Diamond, the singer of such hits as "Sweet Caroline" and "Song Sung Blue," on Tuesday says a doctor has diagnosed acute laryngitis. <P itxtvisited="1"_extended="true">Diamond spokeswoman Eve Samuels says the singer is offering a refund to those who place a request before Sept. 5. "I haven't let you down before and I won't let you down now," the singer said in an apology on his Web site. <P itxtvisited="1" _extended="true">Another message says Wednesday's concert in Green Bay, Wisconsin, will be rescheduled for Sept. 12, and Friday's concert in St. Louis, Missouri, will instead take place Sept. 10.