Neil Diamond booked for fireworks show

BOSTON, June 1 (UPI) -- Venerable pop music star Neil Diamond will perform during the "Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular" TV special July 4, CBS said Monday.

Diamond, 68, is expected to sing some of his classic hits with The Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra under the direction of conductor Keith Lockhart.

Scottish-born comedian and late-night chat show host Craig Ferguson is to serve as the event's host for a third consecutive year, the network said. He will travel straight from a week-long USO tour overseas entertaining U.S. troops to Boston for the Independence Day celebration.

The special is to be broadcast live from the Charles River Esplanade, CBS said.