Neil Diamond has always been famous for two things - the first and least important is the terrible toupees he still wears even now, and the second, and most important, is his incredible reputation as a live performer. His concerts are legendary and his fans adore him, as you could see here.
In terms of the 'touching hands' bit, everywhere else with the exception of the UK, people are far more tactile, and have no issue with grabbing the hand of the stranger next to them.
Over here you can't grab the hand of someone you are not engaged to, it's simply not the done thing.