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LAS VEGAS LIFE
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LAS VEGAS LIFE: July 2005 by Kate Silver
KING ERRISSON
Conga-man for Neil Diamond muses on a local impersonator, bonefishing and Michael Jackson.
 He’s the intense ebony face working the congas behind Neil Diamond, with whom he’s been beating his drum for almost 30 years. King Errisson has played as percussionist with about everyone who’s anyone in the Motown scene—The Jackson 5, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross and more. A native of Nassau, Bahamas, Errissson now lives in Las Vegas, where he spends his time on the golf course, or sometimes jamming with his favorite Neil Diamond impersonator. When he’s not here, and he’s not on tour, Errisson relaxes on Acklins Island, one of the Bahamas’ more remote spots, where he has his own hotel, the Pestell Beach Resort. There, he enjoys the challenge of bonefishing, (He’ll get to that.) Errisson recently stopped in Vegas on a break from Diamond’s international tour, having just returned from Australia.
- When I’m in Las Vegas occasionally I’ll go play with a guy named Jay White, a Neil Diamond impersonator [at the Riviera]. He’s so good the people walk up there sometimes and say, “Oh, I saw your concert last year at Madison Square Garden.” Even Neil gave him a thumbs-up. As a matter of fact, Neil’s mother saw Jay once and said, “Oh my god, he looks just like my son. If I close my eyes he could be Neil.”
- My Favorite Neil Diamond song is I have two of them. One is “I Am…I Said” and the other is “I’ve Been This Way Before.” I think those are two of the most profound songs I’ve ever heard.
- I truly believe that Australia has the strongest Neil Diamond fan base. Even his old albums are still on top of the list.
- People (over there) are always thinking “…well, it’s the last time I’m going to see him, I better go see him.” They act like 64 years old is old. He’s still got another 10, 15 years, as far as I’m concerned. He’s in good shape. He’s pretty strong.
- Bonefishing is one of the biggest fishing sports in the world. A bonefish is a fighting fish. Once you catch it the trick is to bring it in. Lots of people fly in from as far away as Germany and Russia to fish for this fish. They catch it and turn it loose, of course, they don’t keep them. It’s such an elusive fish it can change colors in the water and unless you have a good guide you won’t even know it when you see it.
- Michael Jackson is a great kid. Unfortunately, he’s going through so much foolishness, but he’s a wonderful young man. I knew him when he was a 12-year-old boy. I played on his record I Want you Back. He was a sweet little kid, very shy and very inquisitive.
- My Favorite artist aside from myself would be Neil. I love his writing. He writes very beautiful songs.
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