Robert Neary, a Neil Diamond tribute artist, says 'Hello Again' to Eisenhower Park

Robert Neary returned to his roots, and brought with him a performance that would touch the hearts of thousands. Neary and Long Island-based cover band The Mystic covered Neil Diamond’s greatest hits in Neary’s self-made tribute show, “So Good! The Neil Diamond Experience,” at Eisenhower Park on July 6.

At 19-years-old, Neary was an aspiring actor, getting his start by taking acting classes at Nassau Community College. While there, he studied the performing arts intensively, hoping that he could one day become a Hollywood star. One of his professors recognized his talent, encouraging him to pursue this dream.

“[He] said to me, ‘What are you doing here?’ He goes, ‘You need to be out in Los Angeles.’ I said that’s my goal, and that was it, that pushed me even further,” Neary said.

His professor’s encouraging words and his own determination inspired Neary to pursue an acting career in Los Angeles. Within only a year of living there, he landed roles in several television shows and even co-starred in the 1987 film “Teen Wolf Too.”

Throughout the next 40 years, his career exploded and he made a few notable appearances, including as a performer in the “Chippendales” show, a lead replacement in the Broadway musical revue “Smokey Joe’s Café,” and in Elton John and Tim Rice’s musical “Aida.”

However, over the course of this period, the business was transforming drastically. A fan of Neil Diamond, he was able to mimic his voice well, so he started putting together the materials for this passion project after gaining overwhelming support from his friends and family.

And in 2019, the show further came together when Neary attended a Halloween party at a music hall. One of Long Island’s premier cover bands, The Mystic, took the stage. Neary knew immediately that they were exactly what he needed, so he took advantage of this opportunity.

“This guy in the audience wanted to come up and sing and I’m like, ‘Here we go again,’” Sam Bello, head of The Mystic, previously told the Herald. “He played me an audio of him doing a Neil Diamond song and it was uncanny, I almost didn’t believe him. I said, ‘If this is you, I’m interested.’”

Since then, Neary and The Mystic’s Neil Diamond tribute show has taken off, and they have toured the country. As they traveled, selling out numerous venues, Neary has made sure to return to his roots in East Meadow. This show was so well-received that he was invited to perform again at Eisenhower Park for Nassau County’s summer concert series.

People from all across Long Island came to watch this performance, proving how far Neary has come since he was a 19-year-old aspiring actor. Praised as “the most authentic and professional tribute to Neil Diamond,” “So Good! The Neil Diamond Experience” continues to blow crowds away, making it an unforgettable experience for all. The show at Eisenhower Park earlier this month drew a substansial crowd. 

In case you missed the recent show, you can catch it again at Merrick Road Park on July 17, through the Town of Hempstead’s summer series events. For more information on Nassau County concerts this summer, visit NassauCountyNY.gov.

Additional reporting by Brian Norman