A former band member has revealed a humorous behind-the-scenes moment that once unfolded during a Neil Diamond tour rehearsal — one that involved a wager, a moment of overconfidence, and a bright pink bow tie that the singer was forced to wear for an entire afternoon.
According to the musician, the incident happened during a rehearsal block when tension was high, schedules were tight, and everyone needed a morale boost. Diamond, known among his team for being competitive in a light-hearted way, had made a bet with a guitarist over the outcome of a simple rhythm-timing challenge. The rules were easy: whoever slipped first would face the consequence.
Diamond was confident he’d win.
“He was certain he had better timing,” the musician explained. “He said, ‘I’ve been doing this longer,’ and he meant it. He flashed that grin like the bet was already settled.”
But midway through the challenge, Diamond lost focus for a split second — enough to throw his count off just slightly. The guitarist noticed immediately, triumphantly calling out the mistake. The crew erupted into laughter, and Diamond, true to his word, accepted defeat without protest.
The wager’s penalty? Wearing a large, theatrical pink bow tie for the entirety of rehearsal.
Someone from wardrobe quickly produced one — oversized, shiny, and embarrassingly cheerful. Diamond put it on with mock ceremony, tugging at the knot and adjusting the fabric as the band applauded and hooted.
“He didn’t complain,” the former band member said. “He didn’t make excuses. He just said, ‘A bet’s a bet,’ and carried on.”
What made the moment memorable was how completely Diamond committed to the bit. For hours, he rehearsed serious ballads and complex arrangements while sporting the bow tie like a stage costume. He conducted discussions with the musical director, reviewed lighting cues, and tested microphone levels — all while wearing the bright accessory that clashed with every piece of clothing he had on.
Crew members had to force themselves not to laugh during somber songs. At one point, a backup vocalist missed an entry because she was trying too hard to look away from the tie.
Diamond, noticing the chaos, leaned into the moment even more. He occasionally tugged on the bow dramatically, or looked down at it with exaggerated disappointment. When someone asked if he wanted to take a break, he replied, “I can’t. I’m contractually obligated by my own stupidity.”
The bow tie became a kind of unofficial mascot for the rest of the day. Several crew members snapped photos, though none were ever released publicly. According to the band member, everyone who was there still remembers the image: Neil Diamond, serious as ever, performing with total professionalism while wearing a ridiculous accessory that bobbed every time he moved.
The rehearsal ended with Diamond taking a theatrical bow, purposely showcasing the tie one last time. He removed it only after the final note faded, holding it up like a trophy he had earned through humility rather than victory.
“It showed who he really was behind the scenes,” the musician said. “He could laugh at himself. And honestly, we needed that laugh that day.”