Biography 

Born in Leicestershire, the names Ricky Riley with a new stage name “ Ricky Diamond”.

I started my career in the early 70’s, as the lead vocalist with the Ricky Thompson Band and the music of the big band sound. The band leader Eric Upton was a big influence on my career and I must say the big band sound is still one of my first loves.

I sung with Eric and the band  playing with stars such as Joe Loss and his big band sound, Ray McVay, Mungo Jerry and a host of other stars.  Music has always played a big part of my life, along this musical path I have played with various groups, namely Black Gold, who throughout their years had many changes in their line up.  Derek Wells was the founder member and with whom I am still great friends.  We played many venues up and down the country, we played the Leicester Night Club Scene, and Bailey’s come to mind, playing with acts such as Ian Sludge Lees, Kirk St.James and many local acts.  It was around this time that we had auditions for shows such as New Faces and Opportunity Knocks, but sadly being young free and single and not a care in the world we never took up the opportunity. (who knows ?)

It was also around this time in Leicester that I became known locally as “Tricky Ricky the Singing Brickie”, my trade was that of a bricklayer.  A time in my life when all the world was good, the local papers (Leicester Mercury) at the time were printing stories such as Tricky Ricky the Singing Brickie “cements good relations with Leicester audiences and builds a solid foundation”, to his career, this nickname has stuck with me throughout my career.

A  local story recently featured in the Leicester Mercury June 07, similar format “ Ricky Diamond is still the Jewel in the Crown “.

I had a varied solo career singing at many clubs up and down the country playing with stars such as Roy Walker. Along this path I discovered my love of artists like Neil Diamond, Sinatra and all the great crooners, recently to include Michael Buble’.  It was at this point in my career that I decided to sing the music of the artists I admire and most love.  

Performing the Neil Diamond Tribute show “Hello Again”, I am singing the songs of one of my all time hero’s, The Legend.   I also sing the songs of all the great crooners, a style that suits my voice. I have been recording and entertaining on the beautiful island of Majorca and have currently recorded a CD there.  One of my great loves is to play guitar, acoustic being my favourite. I play various types of music but I love Clapton and love to play the songs of the Eagles.

I am now back in the Midlands performing my new shows. I hope to see you all there, hopefully to include some of your favourite songs, whether it be in the Neil Diamond Tribute Show or The Night with the Stars Show, that includes all the great crooners, Sinatra, Bennett, Munro, Englebert, The Rat Pack, The Big band sound & Michael Buble,  I hope to meet and make many new friends along the way. 

With love

Ricky Diamond Swing Singer Entertainer UK's No.1 Neil Diamond tribute act

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