I’ve been fortunate to be able to work with Stan Miller for almost 40 years. Every performer knows that the show’s production staff off stage is as crucial to a great presentation as the people on stage. My production organization has always been top flight and Stanley stands at the top of that esteemed list.
We have toured the world together many times and my love and respect for him has only increased over the years. As a matter of fact, Stan paid me the supreme compliment many years ago when he named his son (now a commercial airline pilot) after me. When he told me he was going to honor me thusly I was dumbstruck by the gesture. Yes, he informed me, Linda (his wife at the time) and I decided we would name our son after whoever I was on the road with at this time. His other touring artist was none other than Englebert Humperdink. God knows what would have happened to poor Neil Miller if he were two weeks early in arriving and ended up with that moniker.
We came to a creative understanding very early in our relationship when I asked him to just ‘make sure to keep my voice on top of the band.” He followed my advice and we both went on to have fabulous careers in the area of live performance, so I guess you could say that I taught Stan everything he needed to know in the business.
But seriously, Stan Miller and I have had a unique, longstanding and creatively satisfying relationship, which I hope will continue for many years to come.
Thank you, Stanley, for your talent, your ethic of hard work, your indomitable spirit and your sensitivity to the needs of the artist. You make my job on stage worry-free. I consider myself the luckiest guy in the world when I’m performing on stage because I know I have you there listening out for me.
Congratulations, Stan, on an honor well deserved.
With love, I remain your appreciative vocalist,
—Neil Diamond
