Steve Waddington: “The Feel of Neil”
The Only Neil Diamond Tribute Certified by Industry Professionals and Family
What sets Steve Waddington apart from every other tribute artist working today is his voice, his look, and an absolute, verified authenticity. This acclaimed production carries the exclusive personal blessing of those who knew the legend, and the business, best:
Rose Diamond (Mother of Neil Diamond): "You have a beautiful voice and you sound so much like my son. You sing them the way he USED to."
Priscilla Presley: “You have an amazing voice and a great stage presence!"
A Lifetime of Entertainment
Long before stepping into the iconic sequins, Steve Waddington was a veteran of the California music and acting circuit, building a reputation for impeccable professionalism and elite stage presence.
  • The Concert Stages: Fronted the regional hit-making pop-rock band Steve One & the Shades, sharing major stages with industry legends like Huey Lewis & the News, Chris Isaak, and Greg Kihn.
  • The Hollywood Pedigree: A professional actor who has shared screen time and swapped lines with Hollywood icons like Kirk Douglas, Craig T. Nelson, Kurt Russell
  • National Television: Episodic, network, syndicated, and local televised shows
The Concert Experience Today
Backed live by the Diamond Jubilee Band—an elite ensemble of Southern California’s premier studio session musicians—Steve routinely delivers sold-out performances at prestigious rooms, including an immediate return headline engagement at Herb Alpert’s Vibrato Grill Jazz in Los Angeles.
Steve's high-caliber production avoids the "over-the-top shouting" of Neil's later arena shows, focusing mainly on the deep, rich melodic warmth, and soulful grit, of Neil Diamond's golden early eras—exactly the way his mother loved to hear them sung. This was Steve's promise to Rose. to “sing them like he USED to”. 
Not so much an imitation, but a celebration! A celebration where we all get “The Feel of Neil”!
Steve Waddington singing live as The Feel of Neil a Neil Diamond Tribute show performer in Los Angeles
Steve Waddington performing LIVE on the Jimmy Kimmel Live stage in Hollywood CA presenting The Feel of Neil a Neil Diamond Tribute
Steve Waddington backstage with Rose Diamond endorsing The Feel of Neil a Neil Diamond Tribute show in Los Angeles CA

The Rose Connection:

At a specialty show, Steve was performing a variety of classic-era songs and closed with a few rousing Neil Diamond numbers. Immediately after the show he was summoned backstage to meet someone- Rose Diamond, Neil's mother.  As she held his hand she said “You have a beautiful voice and you sound SO much like my son! Do you do one of THOSE shows?" Steve was about to reply “No, I just do a few-” when she said “Well, you SHOULD, but only if you sing like you just did…like he USED to”.  So a promise was made to do just that, and with Rose's blessing, he created “The Feel of Neil”, and it has been met with critical acclaim, sold out venues, and enthusiastic fans. His band is comprised of the most dedicated, renown players in Southern California whose individual talents are laser-focused to  bring as much authenticity and energy to the music as Steve brings to the voice, the look, and the performance. The Ultimate Neil Diamond Tribute Experience.

Steve specializes in the earlier, classic Neil Diamond songs. A partial song list, in no particular order, includes: 
Solitary Man, Holly Holy, Sweet Caroline, I Am I Said, Cherry Cherry, Play Me, Shilo, Kentucky Woman, Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show, September Morn, Brooklyn Roads, Love on the Rocks, Hello Again, You Don't Bring Me Flowers, I'm a Believer, You Got to Me, Thank The Lord for the Night Time, Song Sung Blue, Cracklin Rosie, Girl You'll be a Woman Soon, Forever in Blue Jeans, Longfellow Serenade, A Beautiful Noise, Soolaimon, Desiree, Heartlight, Red Red Wine, Morningside, Crunchy Granola Suite, America 
...and more!