Lance Diamond

Lance Diamond (born William Shingles),[1] (July 3,[2] 1945[3] – January 4, 2015) was an American lounge singer and radio personality based in Buffalo, New York, whose career spanned over 40 years.[4]

For the professional wrestler, see Simon Diamond.
Lance Diamond performing at Nektar Martini Bar and Grille in Buffalo, New York on June 10, 2007.

Career

Diamond, together with his band the 24 Karat Diamond Band, played many classic rock and disco-era songs. He often called himself the "Love Doctor," getting the name from his radio show, Saturday Night Fever which he hosted Saturday evenings on 96.1 WJYE (now WTSS) featuring love music.[5] His success in Buffalo led him to receive offers to lead shows in Las Vegas, which he declined due to his preference to stay in Buffalo.[5]

Diamond played with the Goo Goo Dolls live, as well as recording with them on the tracks "Down on the Corner", "Never Take the Place of Your Man", "My Girl", "Do You Believe", and "Bitch." Diamond and the Goo Goo Dolls performed "Bitch" on the 1993 AIDS-Benefit Album No Alternative produced by the Red Hot Organization. Diamond met Goo Goo Dolls' bassist Robby Takac after Takac moved into the apartment directly below him in a Buffalo apartment building.[6][7][8]

He was deemed Buffalo's "best individual vocalist", "king of charisma" and best "genre-defying act" by Buffalo's ARTVOICE.[9] He also performed twice at Melody Fair, a famous performing arts venue in North Tonawanda, NY.

In his last years, Diamond was a regular performer in Buffalo's Elmwood Village and performed at The Elmwood Lounge, a local tavern in Elmwood Village, on a weekly basis until shortly before his death.[4]

Awards
  • Buffalo Music Hall of Fame 1992[10]

Death

Diamond died on January 4, 2015, a few days after being hospitalized due to heart complications that prevented him from performing his annual New Year's Eve show.[5] He was 69[3] and believed to have no spouse or children (his sister announced his death), although his secretive nature meant that very little of his personal life was known to the public.[5] He is buried in Ridge Lawn Cemetery, Cheektowaga, NY[11]

In 2017, Diamond was the subject of the documentary Diamond in the Buff: The Lance Diamond Story, directed by Kevin Polowy. Polowy was able to secure three interviews from the notoriously secretive Diamond before his death, which will be incorporated into the film.[12]

References
  1. The Buffalo News (July 16, 2017). Retrieved January 18, 2022. “Documentary explores life of Lance Diamond, Buffalo's legendary music man.”
  2. 4th of July: when and where to celebrate. The Buffalo News (June 9, 2010). Retrieved January 9, 2015. “Lance Diamond will headline the Erie Canal Harbor's Independence Day celebration, and it's also his birthday.”
  3. 2015 in review: notable deaths Archived 2016-04-07 at the Wayback Machine. The Buffalo News (December 30, 2015). Retrieved January 1, 2015. “Lance Diamond, 69, singer and Buffalo music legend, died Jan. 4.”
  4. Lance Diamond cancels NYE show due to heart complications. WIVB (December 31, 2014); retrieved January 4, 2015.
  5. Local singer Lance Diamond has died. WGRZ (January 5, 2015); retrieved January 5, 2015.
  6. "Lance Diamond". Editorial/Biography. Buffalo Rising. Archived from the original on 2007-02-08. Retrieved 2007-06-10.
  7. "Goo Goo Dolls FAQ v4.03 (8/3/99)". Goo Goo Dools Frequently Asked Questions. Music Fan Clubs. Retrieved 2007-06-10.
  8. Violanti, Anthony (June 18, 1993). "Double feature: Lance Diamond and the Goo Goo Dolls at Buffalo Place", The Buffalo News, p. G26.
  9. "Best of Buffalo: Music". Best of Buffalo. ARTVOICE. Retrieved 2007-06-10.
  10. "Lance Diamond - BMHOF Class of 1992". The Buffalo Music Hall of Fame. bmhof.org.
  11. "Lance Diamond". findagrave.com.
  12. Lance Diamond's life on the big screen. WGRZ. Retrieved July 1, 2017.
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