Neil Diamond plots summer 2012 tour for North America 

Neil Diamond has carved out a chunk of his summer 2012 calendar for a North American tour.

The “Cracklin’ Rosie” crooner’s 25-city routing launches June 1 at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, FL. Although a scheduling gap fills most of August, Diamond has dates booked through September 1, when he’ll take the stage at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, NV.

Along the way, Diamond will perform June 14 at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC, and July 6 at the United Center in Chicago, IL, among other U.S. locales. North of the border, his calendar includes stops on June 26 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, ON, and July 21 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, BC.

Initial public onsales for the tour start December 5 in select U.S. markets, followed by December 12 onsales in Canada. While ticket prices vary from city to city, most face values run between $55 and $120, according to the event listings on Ticketmaster.com.

Live Nation’s premium ticketing company, VIP Nation, also offers packages from $275 to $695. For those heftier price tags, buyers receive one ticket for a premium seat and other perks, such as exclusive merchandise and complimentary concessions.

Diamond wrapped his previous U.S. tour in the first weeks of 2009, after touring the United States and Canada for much of 2008.

His upcoming venture will follow the December 6 release of his greatest hits compilation, “The Very Best of Neil Diamond.” According to the singer-songwriter’s official Web site, he will draw on those hits for his 2012 tour’s set list.

Prior to launching his summer 2012 tour, Diamond has scheduled two mid-winter concerts for the more temperate climate of Honolulu, HI. Those shows will take place February 16 and 18 at the Neal S. Blaisdell Arena.

Neil Diamond – Summer 2012 itinerary:
(Dates are subject to change.)