91Ƶ

Skip to content

91ƵDevastating91Ƶ: Nearly Neil guitarist forced to retire due to disease-triggered hearing loss

91ƵI have done nothing but music for my entire adult life,91Ƶ Dave Corman tells fans
28505498_web1_220324-SUL-NearlyRetire-main_1
Singer 91ƵNearly Neil91Ƶ (Bobby Bruce), left, with guitarist/bandleader Dave Corman on stage. (Photo: nearlyneil.com)

A musician familiar to Neil Diamond fans in B.C. is being forced to retire from the music business due to a medical condition.

, longtime bandleader and guitarist with , will no longer perform songs with the tribute band, or any other music, 91Ƶabsolutely not by choice,91Ƶ he says.

91ƵI have been dealing with a condition called Meniere91Ƶs Disease for about eight years,91Ƶ on Thursday (March 17).

The condition affects the inner ear, causing hearing loss, vertigo and tinnitus, he wrote.

91ƵAt this point it91Ƶs looking like I91Ƶm going to be retiring as a musician effective immediately. At least taking an extended hiatus.91Ƶ

The disease started in Corman91Ƶs left ear, and over time took most of the hearing in that ear.

91ƵI adapted, my hearing was still strong in my right ear so I was able to get by and eventually figured it out. I continued playing gigs, producing and even mixing,91Ƶ Corman wrote.

91ƵThe bad news is that over the last year it has moved to my right ear (the good one). It is now at a point where music is not pleasurable and it is becoming difficult to discern pitch to some degree. Obviously this is pretty devastating for me. I have done nothing but music for my entire adult life. I91Ƶm not totally sure what lies ahead but I am confident that I91Ƶll figure it out.91Ƶ

Singer Bobby Bruce, who is 91ƵNearly Neil,91Ƶ says that when he first learned of Dave91Ƶs news, he cried for a couple of days.

91ƵIt was so unfair,91Ƶ Bruce added. 91ƵHowever, Dave is the resilient and capable man we know him to be. With his family91Ƶs love supporting him, we know he will continue to lead a joyous and fulfilling life away from the stage.91Ƶ

Corman joined the Solitary Band back in 2003.

91ƵDave91Ƶs authentic sounds and excellent chops helped elevate the Solitary Band and all their manifestations (Bobby Bruce Band, Shagadelic Swingers and Canadian-A) into the top-tier of showbands in the country,91Ƶ Bruce posted.

91ƵDave91Ƶs wowed our audiences at home and abroad. No matter where we go, the Solitary Band has earned the respect of fellow musicians, promoters, agents and audiences. I know for a fact that Dave Corman91Ƶs involvement for almost 20 years has been instrumental in our success.

91ƵWe can never thank Dave, or the rest of the band, enough for their dedication, hard work, and musicality.91Ƶ



tom.zillich@surreynowleader.com

Like us on Follow us on and follow Tom on



Tom Zillich

About the Author: Tom Zillich

I cover entertainment, sports and news for Surrey Now-Leader and Black Press Media
Read more



(or

91Ƶ

) document.head.appendChild(flippScript); window.flippxp = window.flippxp || {run: []}; window.flippxp.run.push(function() { window.flippxp.registerSlot("#flipp-ux-slot-ssdaw212", "Black Press Media Standard", 1281409, [312035]); }); }