Washington Pavilion

Event Guide

Table of Contents

About The Show

The Killer Vees

Cast & Crew

Complete Song List

Production Photos

I AM, HE SAID

A Celebration of The Music of Neil Diamond

About The Show

“This is not a tribute show, this is a celebration of an amazing musical icon; one we all love and respect."

-Tommy Vee.

“We are saying what HE said,” laughs Matt Vee referring to the one and only Neil Diamond. Matt along with cousins Jeff and Tommy Vee, local music scene veterans and sons of the legendary Bobby Vee, join forces with their family and friends as The Killer Vees to celebrate the music from a timeless catalog. With songs like "Cracklin' Rosie," “America," and "Sweet Caroline,” Neil Diamond sold over 100 million records worldwide with music that became the soundtrack to one generation after another with hits spanning five decades. As a Tin Pan Alley song writer in the mid-60s, he penned songs recorded by everyone from Elvis Presley to Deep Purple and, of course, the Monkee’s classic, “I’m A Believer.”

“This is not a tribute show,” says Tommy Vee. “This is a celebration of an amazing musical icon; one we all love and respect. We have been fans since we were in grade school and first learned our respective instruments and played many of these tunes over the years in various bands. We have recruited an incredible group of singers and players and have gone back to the original records,” he explains, “it is all about the vocals and Matt nails it. It’s a Rockin’ show!”

Joining The Killer Vees will be Matt’s wife Julie Velline on vocals and Tommy Vee’s son Bennett Vee on lead guitar along the incomparable Chris Bloniarz on keyboards, Dennis Kennedy on percussion and Richard Manik on Saxophone, flute, keyboards and vocals, as well as a very special surprise featuring local talent for the finale.

Members Of The Killer Vees have recorded or performed with: Bobby Vee, Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Tim Rice, Ronnie Wood, Mick Taylor, Eric Clapton, Brian Setzer, Chase Bryant, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry, Frankie Avalon, Fabian, The Shirelles, The Chiffons, Bill Medley, Chris Montez, Brian Hyland, Johnny Tillotson, Matthew & Gunnar Nelson, Peter Noone, Bill Medley, Quinn Sullivan, Rosie Flores, Jonah Marias, The Johnny Holm Band and MANY others.

The Killer Vees

Known in the music business as the “rhythm section to the stars,” Jeff and Tommy Vee have been playing drums and doghouse bass respectively for almost 40 years with a resume far too long to list. They have performed, recorded and/or toured with a virtual who’s who of Rock and Roll Royalty including Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, Paul McCartney, Ronnie Wood, Brian Setzer, Chuck Berry, Bill Medley, Sam Moore, Peter Noone, Fabian, Frankie Avalon, The Shirelles, The Chiffons, Nelson and of course their father Bobby Vee... just to name a few.

In 2008 Jeff & Tommy joined forces with their cousin Matt Vee and his talented wife Julie Velline to form “The Killer Vees.” Matt, an accomplished performer in his own right, also toured nationally and internationally with Bobby Vee and others from the ‘50s & ‘60s era as well as 13 years as guitarist and vocalist for Midwest favorite Johnny Holm. Matt is also a frequent guest performer with “The Fabulous Armadillos.”

Together they have produced hit regional touring shows such as, “I Am He Said - A Celebration of The Music Of Neil Diamond,” “Remembering Bobby Vee” and “The Killer Vees - Killer Country – A Celebration of the Golden Age of Country Music.”

The Vees grew up on the road and in the business and have spent the better part of the last 40 years wowing audiences across the world! In addition, they continue to tour nationally as the backing band for the critically acclaimed show “The Original Stars of American Bandstand” featuring Fabian, The Shirelles, Brian Hyland, Chris Montez, The Chiffons and Merrilee Rush.

We are VERY proud to announce that Tommy’s 20-year-old son Bennett Vee will be joining The Killer Vees playing lead guitar. Bennett is the grandson of the late Bobby Vee and the 3rd generation of the Vee family takes the stage! He is currently the touring drummer for international blues phenom Quinn Sullivan and Minnesota turned Nashville/Austin, TX country artist Anderson Daniels when he is not playing lead guitar with his family!

The Killer Vee's band is rounded out by George Maurer on keys, Richard Manik on Sax and Tommy’s brother-in-law Dennis Kennedy on percussion and harmonica.