The opening of Neil's new jazz club, Indigo, may have been Aaron Neville's first gig in daytime, but the R&B legend is no stranger to Genoa City.

"I work my schedule around THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS," Neville shares. "No interviews when Y&R is on! Everyone respects that, so they don't mess with me at the wrong time. They leave me alone. I also buy the magazines and get the heads-up on what's happening. When I can't watch, my sister, my wife and my daughter tape it for me and give me the lowdown. 'What is Victor up to?'"

Neville started asking that question back when Christine was still known as Cricket — "at least 15 years ago," he muses. "Back when Nina was still on and Cricket [was with] Danny. I remember when Michael was a bad guy! I was looking at ALL MY CHILDREN first, because my niece Arthel was on it, with Erica Kane and Sandoval. Then something made me look at Y&R and I haven't looked back since."

Just like his pal Aretha Franklin, another outspoken Y&R fan. "We talked about the show when we did the national anthem for the Super Bowl [XL, in February]," he confirms. "You have to talk Y&R, you know!"

Needless to say, Neville was thrilled when he was offered a chance to perform at the Oct. 27 opening of Indigo. "I have a record out, Bring It on Home… The Soul Classics, and I was invited to come on, so it worked out real cool," he says. "I played a couple songs ("Stand by Me" and "Ain't No Sunshine") from the album."

And with the cast piling onto set to hear the legend perform, Neville got to hobnob with Genoa City locals. "I was in awe, looking at all my favorite characters," he admits. "Eric (Braeden, Victor) was cool, man. Just like I pictured. I'm trying to figure out where [this epilepsy storyline is] going to end up. He's got to come to his senses! He's ruthless on the show, but [everyone I met here] is nice. "

Neville felt right at home, but having toured the world, he'd love to catch the episode from his own couch for a change. "People ask me, 'Where you going to go for vacation?'" he laughs. "I want to go home."