Well, this may surprise everyone that I`m not coming here to defend Gary, but it`s been a bit of a running joke in the studio over the last couple of years how close Gary sometimes sounds to Mr. Diamond.
You should have heard his original guide vocals on "Fear The Force" ( or "Two by Four" as it was known at the time. LOL ). The first verse was SO Neil Diamond.
Also, when Gary did the guide vocals for "The Light" from BOB CATLEY`s "Legends" album I picked out that the breakdown section sounded like a bizzare combination of Black Sabbath`s "Heaven And Hell" crossed with Good old Neil`s "Love On The Rocks".

I can`t see Gary donning the big black wig and going on Stars In Their Eyes just yet though, but seeing as two NOW AND THEN vocalists have already been on there ( the singers from THE QUEST and THE SHOCK!!! ) and with Vinny`s infamous Lottery show appearance the night before THE GODS, you really never know......tonight Matthew, I`m going to be Neil Diamond. Cool.

Bye for now,
Mark

P.S. Gary and Neil have never been seen in the same room together either, so maybe there is more to this than meets the eye?