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This article is about the American singer-. For ers", "America", "Yesterday’s Songs", "Heartlight" and the Cree filmmaker, see Neil Diamond (filmmaker). "I'm a Believer". "" is played frequently at Neil Leslie Diamond (born January 24, 1941) is an sporting events, and has become an anthem for the Boston Red Sox.[3]

1 Early life and education

Neil Leslie Diamond was born in Brooklyn, , to a Jewish family descended from Russian and Polish immigrants. His parents were Rose (née Rapaport) and Akeeba “Kieve” Diamond, a dry-goods merchant.[4][5] He grew up in several homes in Brooklyn, having also spent four years in Cheyenne, Wyoming where his fa- ther was stationed in the army.[6] In Brooklyn he attended Erasmus Hall High School[7] and was a member of the Freshman Chorus and Choral Club along with classmate .[5]:155 They were not close friends at the time, Diamond recalls: “We were two poor kids in Brooklyn. We hung out in the front of Erasmus High and smoked cigarettes.”[8] After his family moved he then at- tended Abraham Lincoln High School,[9][10] and was a member of the fencing team.[6] When he was 16, and still in high school, Diamond spent a number of weeks at Surprise Lake Camp,[11]:21 a camp for Jewish children in upstate New York, when folk singer Pete Seeger came and performed a small concert.[12] See- ing the widely recognized singer perform, and watching other children songs for Seeger that they wrote Diamond (2015) themselves, had an immediate effect on Diamond, who then became aware of the possibility of writing his own songs. “And the next thing, I got a when we got American singer-songwriter and musician with a career that began in the 1960s. Diamond has sold over 100 mil- back to Brooklyn, started to take lessons and almost im- mediately began to write songs,” he said.[12] He adds that lion records worldwide, making him one of the world’s best-selling artists of all time.[1] He is the third most suc- his attraction to songwriting was the “first real interest” he Billboard had growing up, besides helping him release his youthful cessful adult contemporary artist on the charts [12] behind and one-time duet partner Barbra “frustrations.” Streisand.[2] His songs have been covered internationally He used his newly developing skill at writing lyrics to also by many performers from various musical genres. write poetry. By writing poems for girls he was attracted Diamond was inducted into the Hall of Fame to in school, he soon learned it often won their hearts. His in 1984 and into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in male classmates took note and began asking him to write poems for them which they would sign and use with equal 2011. Additionally, he received the Sammy Cahn Life- [5]:10 time Achievement Award in 2000 and in 2011 was an success. He spent the summer following his gradua- tion as a waiter in the Catskills resort area. There, he met honoree at Kennedy Center. On the Hot 100 and Adult [11]:26 Contemporary charts, he has had eleven No. 1 singles: Jaye Posner, who would years later become his wife. "Cracklin' Rosie", "", "Longfellow Ser- Diamond next attended New York University as a pre- enade", "I've Been This Way Before", "If You Know med major on a fencing scholarship.[note 1] His skill at What I Mean", "Desiree", "You Don't Bring Me Flow- fencing made him a member of the 1960 NCAA men’s

1 2 2 CAREER

championship team.[13] However, he was often bored in popular misconception that he wrote and composed these classes, and found writing song lyrics more to his liking. songs specifically for . In reality, Diamond had He began cutting classes and taking the train up to Tin written, composed, and recorded them for himself, but Pan Alley where he tried to get some of his songs heard the cover versions were released before his own.[15] The by local music publishers.[12] By his senior year, and just unintended, but happy, consequence was that Diamond 10 units short of graduating, Sunbeam Music Publish- began to gain fame not only as a singer and performer, ing offered him a 16-week job writing songs for $50 a but also as a songwriter. “I'm a Believer” was the Popular week, and he dropped out of college to accept it.[12][note 2] Music Song of the Year in 1966. Later in his career, he said, “If this darn songwriting thing [11]:26 “And the Grass Won't Pay No Mind” brought covers from hadn't come up, I would have been a doctor now.” Elvis Presley (who also interpreted “Sweet Caroline”) and Mark Lindsay, former lead singer for Paul Revere & the Raiders. Other notable artists who recorded his 2 Career early songs were the English hard-rock band Deep Pur- ple, who interpreted “;" Lulu, who cov- ered “The Boat That I Row;" and Cliff Richard, who re- 2.1 1960s leased versions of “I'll Come Running,” "Solitary Man,” "Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon,” “I Got the Feelin' (Oh After his 16 weeks at Sunbeam Music were up, he was not No No),” and “Just Another Guy.” rehired and then began writing and singing his own songs In 1966, Diamond signed a deal with 's Bang for demo purposes. “I never really chose songwriting,” Records, then a subsidiary of Atlantic. His first release he says. “It just absorbed me and became more and more on that label, "Solitary Man", became his first true hit as important in my life.”[12] a solo artist. Prior to the release of “Solitary Man,” he Diamond’s first recording contract was billed as “Neil and had considered using a stage name; he came up with two Jack,” an Everly Brothers-type duo comprising Diamond possibilities, “Noah Kaminsky” and “Eice Charry.”[16] [6] and high school friend Jack Parker. They recorded two But when asked by which name to use, unsuccessful singles: “You Are My Love At Last” b/w Noah, Eice, or Neil, he thought of his grandmother, who “What Will I Do” and “I'm Afraid” b/w “Till You've Tried had died prior to the release of “Solitary Man.” Thus Love,” both released in 1962. Later in 1962, Diamond he told Bang, "...go with 'Neil Diamond' and I'll figure signed with the label as a solo per- it out later.” (He never did, and his real name remained former. Columbia released the single “At Night” b/w the identity by which he became known.) Diamond later “Clown Town” in July 1963, which Billboard gave an ex- followed with "Cherry, Cherry,” "Kentucky Woman,” cellent review, but still failed to chart. Columbia dropped “Thank the Lord for the Night Time,” “Do It,” and others. him from their label and he was back to writing songs, in Diamond’s Bang recordings were produced by legendary and out of publishing houses for the next seven years. Brill Building songwriters Jeff Barry and Ellie Green- He did songwriting wherever he could, including on wich, both of whom can be heard singing background on buses, and used an upright above the Birdland Club many of the tracks. in . One of the causes of this early no- His early concerts saw him as a “special guest” of, or madic life as a songwriter was due to his songs having opening for, everyone from Herman’s Hermits to, on one too many words: “I'd spent a lot of time on lyrics, and occasion, the Who, which he confirmed on an installment they were looking for hooks, and I didn't really under- of VH1's documentary series program Behind the Music. stand the nature of that,” he says.[12] During those lean Unfortunately, Diamond began to feel restricted by Bang years, he was only able to sell about one song a week, Records. He wanted to record more ambitious, introspec- barely enough to survive on. He found himself only earn- tive music, like his autobiographical “Brooklyn Roads” ing enough to spend 35-cents a day on food.[12] However, from 1968. Finding a loophole in his contract, he tried to the privacy he had above the Birdland Club allowed him sign with a new label, but the result was a series of law- to focus on writing without distractions: “Something new suits that coincided with a dip in his professional success. began to happen,” he says. “I wasn't under the gun, and He eventually triumphed in court, and secured ownership suddenly interesting songs began to happen, songs that of his Bang-era master recordings in 1977. had things none of the others did.”[12] Among them were "Cherry, Cherry" and "Solitary Man.” Diamond spent his early career as a songwriter in the 2.2 1970s Brill Building. His first success as a songwriter came in November 1965, with ",” a Top 20 hit After Diamond had signed a deal in 1968 with Uni for Jay and the Americans. Greater success as a writer Records (named after , whose owner, followed with "I'm a Believer,” "A Little Bit Me, a Lit- MCA Inc., later consolidated its labels into MCA tle Bit You,” “Look Out (Here Comes Tomorrow),” and Records), he moved to Los Angeles in 1970. After “Love to Love,” all performed by the Monkees. There is a "Brother Love’s Travelling Salvation Show" in February 2.2 1970s 3

1969, his sound mellowed, with such songs as "Sweet hostile reviews, did poorly at the box office and the al- Caroline" (1969), "" (1969), "Cracklin' Rosie" bum grossed more than the film did. Richard Bach, au- (1970) and "Song Sung Blue" (1972), the last two reach- thor of the best-selling source story, disowned the film ing No. 1 on the Hot 100. “Sweet Caroline” was Dia- and both he and Diamond sued director Bartlett, albeit mond’s first major hit after his slump. Diamond stated in for differing reasons; in Bach’s case, it was because he 2007 that he had written “Sweet Caroline” for Caroline felt the film omitted too much from the original novella Kennedy after seeing her on the cover of Life in an eques- whereas in Diamond’s case, it was because he felt the film trian riding outfit.[17] However, in 2014, he said in an in- had butchered his score. “After Jonathan,” Diamond de- terview on the Today Show that it was written for his wife, clared, “I vowed never to get involved in a movie again Marcia. He could not find a good rhyme with the name unless I had complete control.” Bartlett angrily responded “Marcia,” and therefore used the name Caroline.[18][19] It to Diamond’s lawsuit by criticizing his music as having took him just one hour, in a Memphis hotel, to write and become “too slick...and it’s not as much from his heart as compose it. The 1971 release "I Am...I Said" was a Top it used to be.” However, Bartlett also added, “Neil is ex- 5 hit in both the US and UK and was his most intensely traordinarily talented. Often his arrogance is just a cover personal effort to date, taking upwards of four months to for the lonely and insecure person underneath.”[27] [20] complete. Despite the controversy surrounding the film, the sound- In 1972, Diamond played 10 sold-out concerts at the track was a success, peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard al- Greek Theatre in Los Angeles. The August 24 perfor- bums chart. Diamond would also garner a Golden Globe mance was recorded and released as the live double al- Award for Best Original Score and a Grammy Award for bum , drawing its title from the open- Best Score Soundtrack for a Motion Picture.[26] ing words of “Brother Love’s Travelling Salvation Show.” From there, Diamond would often include a Jonathan That fall Diamond appeared over 20 consecutive nights at Livingston Seagull suite in his live performances, as he the Winter Garden Theater in New York City; the small did in his 1976 “” concert and for his (approximately 1,600-seat) Broadway venue provided an show in Las Vegas that same year.[28] intimate concert setting not common at the time. Report- In 1974, Diamond released the album Serenade, from edly, every performance was a sellout. which "" and “I've Been This Way Hot August Night demonstrates Diamond’s skills as a per- Before” were issued as singles. The latter had been in- former and showman, as he reinvigorated his back cat- tended for the Jonathan Livingston Seagull score, but Di- alogue of hits with new energy. Many consider it his amond had completed it too late for inclusion in the same. best work; critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine called Hot Au- gust Night “the ultimate Neil Diamond record... [which] shows Diamond the icon in full glory.”[21] The album became a classic, and was remastered in 2000 with three additional selections: “Walk on Water,” “Ken- tucky Woman,” and “Stones.” In Australia, the album spent a remarkable 29 weeks at No. 1; in 2006, it was voted No. 16 in a poll of favourite of all time in Australia.[22] Also, Diamond’s final concert of his 1976 Australian Tour (The “Thank You Australia” Con- cert) was broadcast to 36 television outlets nationwide on March 6. It also set a record for the largest attendance at the Sydney Sports Ground. The 1976 concert, Love at the Greek, a return to the Greek Theatre, includes a version of “Song Sung Blue” with duets with Helen Reddy and Henry Winkler, a.k.a. Arthur “The Fonz” Fonzarelli of Opening Night at the Aladdin Theater for the Performing Arts Happy Days.[23] July 2, 1976 He began wearing colorful beaded shirts in concert, orig- In 1976, he released , produced by Robbie inally out of necessity so everyone in the audience could Robertson of The Band. On Thanksgiving night, 1976, see him without the aid of binoculars.[24] Bill Whitten de- Diamond made an appearance at The Band’s farewell signed and made the shirts for Diamond from the 1970s concert, , performing “Dry Your Eyes,” until about 2007.[25] which he had written and composed jointly with Robert- In 1973, Diamond switched labels again, returning son, and which had appeared on Beautiful Noise. He also to Columbia Records for a million-dollar-advance-per- joined the rest of the performers onstage at the end in a album contract.[2][26] His first project, released as a solo rendition of 's "I Shall Be Released.” album, was the soundtrack to Hall Bartlett's film ver- Diamond was paid $650,000 from the Aladdin Hotel in sion of Jonathan Livingston Seagull. The film received Las Vegas, Nevada, to open their new $10 million The- 4 2 CAREER

Richard Bennett, was released as a single from You Don't Bring Me Flowers, Diamond’s album from the previous year. In 1979, Diamond had collapsed on stage in San Fran- cisco and was taken to the hospital where he endured a twelve-hour operation to remove what turned out to be a tumor on his spine.[31] He said he had been losing feel- ing in his right leg “for a number of years but ignored it.” When he collapsed, he had no strength in either leg.[31] He underwent a long rehabilitation process just prior to be- ginning principal photography for his film The Jazz Singer (1980).[32] He was so convinced he was going to die that he even wrote farewell letters to his friends.[31]

2.3 1980s

A planned film version of “You Don't Bring Me Flow- ers” to star Diamond and Streisand fell through when Di- amond instead starred in a 1980 remake of the Al Jol- son classic The Jazz Singer (1980), alongside Laurence Olivier and Lucie Arnaz. Though the movie received Diamond performing on opening night of the Theater For the poor reviews, the soundtrack spawned three Top 10 sin- Performing Arts, Aladdin Hotel & Casino, July 2, 1976 gles, “Love on the Rocks,” “Hello Again,” and "America,” which had emotional significance for Diamond. "'Amer- ica' was the story of my grandparents,” he told an inter- viewer. “It’s my gift to them, and it’s very real for me. . ater For the Performing Arts on July 2, 1976. The show . In a way, it speaks to the immigrant in all of us.”[11]:89 played through July 5, 1976, and drew sold out crowds The song was performed by Diamond during the finale of for the 7,500 seat theater. a “who’s who” of Hollywood the film.[33] attended opening night, ranging from Elizabeth Taylor to The song was also the one he was most proud of, partly Chevy Chase, with Diamond walking out on stage to a because of when it was later used: National news shows standing ovation. He opened the show without music, played it when the hostages were shown returning home but rather a story about an ex-girlfriend who dumped him after the Iran hostage crisis ended; it was played on the before he became successful. His lead in line to the first air during the 100th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty; song of the evening was, “You may have dumped me a bit and at the tribute to Martin Luther King and the Vietnam too soon baby, because look who’s standing here tonight.” Vets Welcome Home concert, he was asked to perform it He performed at Woburn Abbey on July 2, 1977, to an live. At the time, a national poll found the song to be the audience of 55,000 British fans. The concert and inter- number-one most recognized song about America, more views were taped by film director William Friedkin, who than “God Bless America.”[6] used six cameras to capture the performance.[29] The failure of the film was due in part to Diamond never In 1977, Diamond released I'm Glad You're Here With having acted professionally until this, his first attempt. “I Me Tonight, including "You Don't Bring Me Flowers,” didn't think I could handle it,” he said later, seeing him- for which he composed the music and on the writing self as a “a fish out of water.”[11]:85 For his role in the of whose lyrics he collaborated with Alan Bergman and film, Diamond became the first-ever winner of a Worst Marilyn Bergman. Barbra Streisand covered the song on Actor Razzie Award, even though he was nominated for her Songbird album, and later, a Diamond-Streisand duet, a Golden Globe Award for the same role. Critic David spurred by the success of radio mash-ups, was recorded. Wild, nevertheless, noted that the film showed that Di- That version hit No. 1 in 1978, his third song to top the amond was open about his religion: “Who else but this Hot 100. They appeared unannounced for the Grammy Jewish Elvis could go multi-platinum with an album that awards ceremony in 1980, where they performed a duet featured a version of "Kol Nidre"?[6][34] Diamond later of the song to a surprised audience.[30] told the Los Angeles Times, “For me, this was the ulti- [11]:85 His last 1970s album was September Morn, which in- mate bar mitzvah.” cluded a new version of "I'm a Believer.” It and "Red Red Another Top 10 selection, "Heartlight,” was inspired by Wine" are his best-known original songs made more fa- the blockbuster 1982 movie E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial. mous by other artists. In February 1979, the uptempo Though the film’s title character is never mentioned in “,” co-written with his guitarist, the lyrics, Universal Pictures, which had released E.T. 2.5 2000s 5

The Extra-Terrestrial and was the parent company of of each home game when they win. The Davidson Col- the label, by then referred to as the MCA lege pep band plays it at every Davidson Wildcats men’s Records label, for which Diamond had recorded for years, basketball home games, in the second half. briefly threatened legal action against both Diamond and Urge Overkill recorded a version of Diamond’s "Girl, Columbia Records. You'll Be a Woman Soon" for Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Diamond’s record sales slumped somewhat in the 1980s Fiction, released in 1994. In the 2001 comedy film Saving and 1990s, his last single to make the Billboard’s Pop Silverman, the main characters play in a Diamond cover Singles chart coming in 1986. However, his concert band, and Diamond made an extended cameo appear- tours continued to be big draws. Billboard magazine ance as himself. Diamond even wrote and composed a ranked Diamond as the most profitable solo performer new song, “I Believe in Happy Endings,” especially for of 1986.[35] He released his 17th studio album in 1986, the film. During this period, comedian Will Ferrell did , which reached number 20 on the a recurring Diamond impersonation on Saturday Night Billboard 200 rank. Three weeks later he starred in Hello Live, with Diamond himself appearing alongside Ferrell Again, his first television special in nine years, where he on Ferrell’s final show as a “Not Ready For Prime Time performed comedy sketches and sang a duo medley with Player” in May 2002. “America” was used in promo- Carol Burnett.[36] tional ads for the 2002 Winter Olympics. The Finnish band HIM covered “Solitary Man” on their album, And In January 1987, Diamond sang the national anthem at Love Said No: The Greatest Hits. the Super Bowl. His “America” became the theme song for the Michael Dukakis 1988 presidential campaign. That same year, UB40’s interpretation of Dia- mond’s ballad "" would top the Billboard’s Pop Singles chart and, like the Monkees’s version of “I'm a Believer,” become better known than Diamond’s origi- nal version.

2.4 1990s

During the 1990s, Diamond produced six studio albums. He covered many classics from the movies and from fa- mous Brill Building-era songwriters. He also released two Christmas albums, the first of which peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard’s Album chart. Keeping his songwrit- The handprints of Diamond in front of The Great Movie Ride at ing skills honed, Diamond also recorded two albums of Walt Disney World's Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park mostly new material during this period. In 1992, he per- formed for President George H.W. Bush's final Christmas in Washington NBC special. In 1993, Diamond opened Diamond has always had a somewhat polarizing effect, What About Bob? the Mark of the Quad Cities (now the iWireless Center) best exemplified by the 1991 film with two shows on May 27 and 28 to a crowd of 27,000- There the protagonist posits, “There are two types of peo- plus. ple in the world: those who like Neil Diamond and those who don't.” The character of Bob attributes the failure of The 1990s also saw a resurgence in Diamond’s popular- his marriage to his fiancee’s fondness for Diamond. An- ity. "Sweet Caroline" became a popular sing-along at other example of this love–hate dichotomy was shown in sporting events, starting with Boston College football and the Becker episode “It had to be Ew,”[39] largely devoted basketball games. Most notably it became the theme song to ridiculing Diamond and his fans. for Red Sox Nation, the fans of the Boston Red Sox, al- though Diamond noted that he has been a lifelong fan of the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers.[37] Red Sox execu- 2.5 2000s tive vice-president Dr. Charles Steinberg noted that the song entertains, engages, and with fan participation, the In 2000, recorded the album American III: energy in the park changes.[38] The song is also played Solitary Man, and won a Grammy Award for his cover of during the 8th inning of every New York Mets home Solitary Man. game. 12 Songs, produced by , was released on The New York Rangers have also adapted it as their own, November 8, 2005, in two editions: a standard 12-song and play it when they are winning at the end of the 3rd pe- release, and a special edition with two bonus tracks, in- riod. The Pitt Panthers football team also plays it after the cluding one featuring backing vocals by . third quarter of all home games, with the crowd cheering, The album debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard chart, and “Let’s go Pitt.” The Carolina Panthers play it at the end received generally positive reviews; Earliwine describes 6 2 CAREER the album as “inarguably Neil Diamond’s best set of songs in a long, long time.”[40] 12 Songs also became notewor- thy as one of the last albums to be pressed and released by Sony BMG with the Extended soft- ware embedded in the disc. (See the 2005 Sony BMG CD copy protection scandal.) In 2007, Diamond was inducted into the Long Island Mu- sic Hall of Fame.[41] In 2008, Diamond gave filmmaker Greg Kohs permission to use his songs in a documentary. Kohs, a director from Philadelphia, had met a popular Milwaukee, Wisconsin, duo, Lightning & Thunder, composed of Mike Sardina, who did a Diamond impersonation, and his wife Claire. Kohs followed them for eight years and produced the film Song Sung Blue, but he needed permission to use Dia- mond’s songs. The movie was sent to the singer in Jan- uary 2008, at the recommendation of Eddie Vedder, a supporter of the film and of the duo. Although Sardina had died in 2006, Diamond invited his widow and her family to be his front-row guests at his show in Milwau- kee, where he told them he was moved by the film.[42] On March 19, 2008, it was announced on the televi- sion show that Diamond would be a guest mentor to the remaining Idol contestants who would be singing Diamond songs for the broadcasts of April 29 and Diamond performing at The Roundhouse, London on October 30, 2008. on the April 30th broadcast, Diamond pre- 30, 2010 miered a new song, “Pretty Amazing Grace,” from his album .[43] On May 2, 2008, Sirius Satellite Radio started Neil Diamond Radio. On April On August 25, 2008, Diamond performed at Ohio State 8, 2008, Diamond made a surprise announcement in a University while suffering from laryngitis. The result dis- big-screen broadcast at Fenway Park, that he would be ap- appointed him as well as his fans, and on August 26, pearing there “live in concert” on August 23, 2008, as part he offered refunds to anyone who applied by September [47] of his world tour. The announcement, which marked the 5. first official confirmation of any 2008 concert dates in the Diamond was honored as the MusiCares Person of the US, came during the traditional eighth-inning sing-along Year on February 6, 2009, two nights prior to the 51st of his “Sweet Caroline,” which has become an anthem for Annual Grammy Awards. Boston fans. Long loved in Boston, Diamond was invited to sing at the On April 28, 2008, Diamond appeared on the roof of July 4, 2009 holiday celebration. the Jimmy Kimmel building to sing “Sweet Caroline” af- On October 13, 2009, he released A Cherry Cherry ter Kimmel was jokingly arrested trying to sing the song Christmas, dressed up as a Diamond impersonator. his third album of holiday music. Home Before Dark was released May 6, 2008, and topped the album charts in New Zealand, the United Kingdom 2.6 2010s and the .[44] Dreams, On June 29, 2008, Diamond played to an estimated On November 2, 2010, he released the album 108,000 fans at the Glastonbury Festival in Somerset, a collection of 14 interpretations of his favorite songs England.[45][46] In August Diamond allowed cameras to by artists from the rock era. The album also included record his entire four-night run at New York’s Madison a new slow-tempo on his own song, "I'm a Believer.” In December, he performed a track from the Square Garden and released it in the United States on Au- Ain't No Sunshine The Sing-Off gust 14, 2009, on DVD, one year to the day of the first album, on NBC's with concert. Hot August Night/NYC debuted at No. 2 on the Committed and Street Corner Symphony, two a cappella groups featured on the show. The Very Best of Neil Dia- charts. On the same day the DVD was released, CBS mond, aired an edited version of the DVD, which won the ratings a compilation CD of Diamond’s 23 studio record- hour with 13 million viewers. The next day, the sales of ings from the Bang, UNI/MCA, & Columbia catalogs was the DVD surged and prompted Sony to order more copies released on December 6, 2011, on the Sony Legacy label. to meet the high demand. 2011 and 2012 were marked by several milestones in Di- 7 amond’s career. On March 14, 2011 he was inducted 3 In pop culture into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at a ceremony at the Waldorf-Astoria hotel in New York City. In De- Diamond has always had a somewhat polarizing effect, cember he received a lifetime achievement award from best exemplified by the 1991 film What About Bob? the Kennedy Center at the 2011 Kennedy Center Hon- There the protagonist posits, “There are two types of peo- ors.[48][49] On August 10, 2012, Diamond received a star [50] ple in the world: those who like Neil Diamond and those on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In November 2012, who don't.” The character of Bob attributes the failure of Diamond topped the bill in the centenary edition of the his marriage to his fiancee’s fondness for Diamond. An- Royal Variety Performance in the UK (broadcast on De- other example of this love–hate dichotomy was shown in cember 3) He also appeared in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Becker [39] [51] the episode “It had to be Ew,” largely devoted Day Parade. to ridiculing Diamond and his fans. On April 20, 2013, Diamond made an unannounced In the 2001 comedy film , the main appearance at Fenway Park to sing “Sweet Caroline” characters play in a Diamond cover band, and Diamond during the 8th inning. It was the first game at Fen- [52] made an extended cameo appearance as himself. Di- way since the bombings at the Boston Marathon. On amond even wrote and composed a new song, “I Be- July 2, he released the single “Freedom Song (They'll lieve in Happy Endings,” especially for the film. During Never Take Us Down),” with 100% of the purchase price this period, comedian Will Ferrell did a recurring Dia- benefiting One Fund Boston and the Wounded Warrior Saturday Night Live, [53] mond impersonation on with Dia- Project. Sporting a beard, Diamond performed live on mond himself appearing alongside Ferrell on Ferrell’s fi- A Capitol the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol as part of nal show as a “Not Ready For Prime Time Player” in May Fourth, which was broadcast nationally by PBS on July 4, [54] 2002. “America” was used in promotional ads for the 2013. 2002 Winter Olympics. The Finnish band HIM covered In January 2014, it was confirmed that Diamond had “Solitary Man” on their album, And Love Said No: The signed with the Capitol Music Group unit of Universal Greatest Hits. Music Group, which also owned Diamond’s Uni/MCA According to Cotton Incorporated, “Neil Diamond might catalog. UMG also took over Diamond’s Columbia and have been right when he named his 1979 No. 1 hit 'For- Bang catalogues, which meant that all of his recorded out- [55][56] ever in Blue Jeans:' 81% of women are planning their next put would be consolidated for the first time. jeans purchase to be some shade of blue.” The song has On July 8, 2014, Capitol Records announced, via a flyer been used to promote the sale of blue jeans, most notably included with Diamond’s latest greatest hits compilations, via Will Ferrell, impersonating Diamond singing, for The All-Time Greatest Hits, which charted at 15 in the Bill- Gap. Ironically, Diamond himself had performed in ra- board 200, that his next album, Melody Road, which was dio ads for H.I.S. brand jeans in the 1960s, more than to be produced by Don Was and Jacknife Lee, would be a decade before he and Bennett jointly wrote and com- released on September 30, 2014. In August, the release posed, and he originated, the selection. [57] date was moved to October 21. In 2008, Diamond gave filmmaker Greg Kohs permission In September 2014, Diamond performed a surprise con- to use his songs in a documentary. Kohs, a director from cert at Erasmus High School in Brooklyn. The show was Philadelphia, had met a popular Milwaukee, Wisconsin, announced via Twitter that afternoon. On the same day, duo, Lightning & Thunder, composed of Mike Sardina, he announced a 2015 “Melody Road” World Tour.[58] who did a Diamond impersonation, and his wife Claire. The North American leg of the World Tour 2015 kicked Kohs followed them for eight years and produced the film off with a concert in Allentown, PA at the PPL Center Song Sung Blue, but he needed permission to use Dia- on February 27 and ended at the Pepsi Center in Den- mond’s songs. The movie was sent to the singer in Jan- ver, Colorado on May 31, 2015.[59] Diamond used new uary 2008, at the recommendation of Eddie Vedder, a media platforms and social media extensively throughout supporter of the film and of the duo. Although Sardina the tour, streaming several shows live on Periscope and had died in 2006, Diamond invited his widow and her showing tweets from fans who used the hashtag #tweet- family to be his front-row guests at his show in Milwau- caroline on two large screens. The San Diego Union Tri- kee, where he told them he was moved by the film.[61] bune wrote: “This, my friends, wasn’t your grandfather’s Neil Diamond concert. It was a multimedia extravaganza. Twitter. Periscope...It was a social media blitzkrieg that, by all accounts, proved to be an innovative way to widen 4 Personal life his fan base.”[60] Diamond has been married three times. In 1963, he married his high school sweetheart, school teacher Jaye Posner; they had two daughters, Marjorie and Elyn, be- fore they separated in 1967[62] and divorced in 1969.[63] He then married production assistant Marcia Murphey, 8 7 REFERENCES

7 References

[1] Goldblatt, Mark (March 14, 2011). “The Rock and Roll Hall of Lame”. National Review. Retrieved January 21, 2013.

[2] Ruhlmann, William. “Neil Diamond Biography”. AllMu- sic. Retrieved 21 April 2014.

[3] Vosk, Stephanie (May 29, 2005). “Another mystery of the Diamond, explained at last”. Boston Globe. Retrieved 12 September 2015.

[4] Neil Diamond: Solitary Star - Rich Wiseman. Google Books. Retrieved 2013-02-06.

Diamond in 2005 [5] Neil Diamond: His Life, His Music, His Passion - Laura Jackson. Google Books. Retrieved 2013-02-06.

[6] Wild, David. “Neil Diamond Interview”, , with whom he had sons Jesse and Micah. This marriage March 24, 1988 pp. 102-109 ended in 1994[63] or 1995[62] (sources differ). He be- gan a lengthy relationship with Australian Rae Farley in [7] “Neil Diamond Performs Free Pop-Up Concert 1996, after the two met in Brisbane, Australia. The selec- At Erasmus Hall In Brooklyn " CBS New York”. tions on the album Home Before Dark were written and Newyork.cbslocal.com. Retrieved October 18, 2014. composed during her struggle with severe chronic back [8] Rolling Stone magazine, March 21, 1996 p. 36 pain.[32] [9] Boyer, David. “Neighborhood Report: Flatbush: Grads On September 7, 2011, Diamond announced his engage- Hail Erasmus as It Enters a Fourth Century”, The New ment to his then 41-year-old manager Katie McNeil in a York Times, March 11, 2001. Retrieved December 1, message on Twitter. On April 21, 2012, they married in 2007. front of family and close friends in Los Angeles.[64] Dia- mond said that his 2014 album Melody Road was fueled [10] Hechinger, Fred M. “About Education: Personal Touch The New York Times by his relationship with McNeil, explaining: “There’s no Helps”, , January 1, 1980. Retrieved better inspiration or motivation for work than being in September 20, 2009. “Lincoln, an ordinary, unselective New York City high school, is proud of a galaxy of promi- love. It’s what you dream of as a creative person. I was nent alumni, who include the playwright Arthur Miller, able to complete this album - start it, write it and com- Representative Elizabeth Holtzman, the authors Joseph plete it -- under the spell of love, and I think it shows Heller and Ken Auletta, the producer Mel Brooks, the [65] somehow.” In addition to serving as Diamond’s man- singer Neil Diamond and the songwriter Neil Sedaka.” ager, McNeil produced the documentary Neil Diamond: Hot August Nights NYC.[66] [11] Bream, Jon. Neil Diamond is Forever, MBI Publishing (2009)

[12] Fong-Torres, Ben. Rolling Stone Interview, Sept. 23, 5 Discography 1976 pp. 105-109 [13] “New York University - The Archivist’s Angle: Main article: Neil Diamond discography Formidable Fencers at NYU”. Alumni.nyu.edu. Retrieved 2015-08-26.

[14] “Commencements; Words to Live By, Music to Dance By”. May 19, 1995. 6 Notes [15] Interview, Friday Night with Jonathan Ross, transmitted on May 23, 2008 (BBC One).

[1] His first life ambition was medicine, as he once told talk [16] Devine, Rachel (June 1, 2008). “Pick of the week: show host Larry King, “I actually wanted to be a labora- Neil Diamond”. The Sunday Times (London). Retrieved tory biologist. I wanted to study. And I really wanted to March 11, 2011. find a cure for cancer. My grandmother had died of can- cer. And I was always very good at the sciences. And I [17] CBS “Sunday Morning” November 5, 2008 thought I would go and try and discover the cure for can- [18] Neil Diamond reveals story behind 'Sweet Caroline', cer.” CNN, 10/20/14.

[2] Thirty-five years later, in 1995, New York University gave [19] Neil Diamond reveals 'Sweet Caroline' is about more than him an honorary degree.[14] JFK’s daughter, Today Show website, 10/20/14. 9

[20] Jackson, Laura (2005). Neil Diamond: His Life, His Mu- [44] “Entertainment | Diamond tops chart for first time”. BBC sic, His Passion. ECW Press. pp. 80–81. News. 2008-05-15. Retrieved 2014-04-17.

[21] Stephen Thomas Erlewine (1972-08-24). “Hot August [45] “Neil Diamond overcomes technical problems to wow Night - Neil Diamond | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards”. Glastonbury”, NME, U.K., June 29, 2008 AllMusic. Retrieved 2014-04-17. [46] Neil Diamond performing at the Glastonbury Festival, [22] “My Favourite Album : The Top 100”. Abc.net.au. Re- June 29, 2008 trieved 2014-04-17. [47] “Raspy Neil Diamond Offers Refunds”. Huffington- [23] “Love at the Greek”, video clip post.com. August 27, 2008. Retrieved 2014-04-17. [24] Interview, An Audience With Neil Diamond, transmitted on 31 May 2008 (ITV1). [48] Steinmentz, Kelly (December 5, 2011). “Neil Dia- mond Unites Washington at the Kennedy Center Honors”. [25] “Neil Diamond: the hurt, the dirt, the shirts”. London: Time. Retrieved 12 September 2015. Telegraph. May 3, 2008. Retrieved 2014-04-17. [49] Greene, Andy (December 14, 2010). “Neil Diamond, • [26] Johnson, Anne Janette “Neil Diamond Biography”, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee, Says He Feels 'Very Musician Guide Lucky'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 12 September 2015.

[27] Arrington, Carl (April 5, 1982). “Having Survived a Tu- [50] “Neil Diamond receives Walk of Fame star”. Los Ange- mor and The Jazz Singer, Neil Diamond Eases His Life les: KABC-TV. August 10, 2012. Back into Shape”. People. Retrieved 2013-08-07. [51] Iley, Chrissie (December 3, 2012). “Neil Diamond at 71 [28] “Jonathan Livingston Seagull”, concert in Las Vegas, 1976 – in fashion and in love”. London: Telegraph. Retrieved 2014-04-17. [29] “Neil Diamond at Woburn Abbey”, 1977

[30] “Neil Diamond & Barbra Streisand - You Don't Bring Me [52] Memoli, Michael A. (2013-04-20). “Red Sox game: Neil Los Angeles Flowers”, Live At The Grammy Awards, Feb. 1980 Diamond live = 'So good, so good, so good'". Times. Retrieved 2013-08-07. [31] Juke Magazine, June 9, 1983. [53] Ryan, Patrick (July 2, 2013). “Neil Diamond’s 'Freedom [32] Billen, Andrew (June 27, 2008). “Neil Diamond Heads Song' will ring out”. USA Today. Retrieved July 22, 2013. To Glastonbury: Neil Diamond is a bigger hit than ever — at the darkest time of his life”. The Times (London). [54] Billboard Staff and AP (July 5, 2013). “Neil Diamond, Archived from the original on June 15, 2011. Barry Manilow Lead 'Capitol Fourth' Celebrations in DC”. Billboard. Retrieved 12 September 2015. [33] “America": The Jazz Singer finale, Youtube The Jazz Singer [55] “Neil Diamond Signs With Capitol Records (Exclusive)". [34] Neil Diamond singing “Kol Nidre”, , clip Billboard. Retrieved 2014-04-17. [35] Music Choice Television – on screen facts [56] “Capitol Records Signs Legendary Artist Neil Diamond | [36] “Hello Again” television special, clip, May 5, 1986 Universal Music Canada”. Universalmusic.ca. 2014-01- 21. Retrieved 2014-04-17. [37] Steve Baltin (August 19, 2009). “Neil Diamond Owes His Career to the Brooklyn Dodgers”. Spinner. Retrieved [57] ABC News Radio Staff. “Neil Diamond to Release New 2010-12-10. Studio Album, “Melody Road,” Next Month”. abcnews- radio.com. ABC News Radio. Retrieved 11 September [38] “Boston.com”. Boston.com. Retrieved 2014-04-17. 2014.

[39] “Becker - Season 4, Episode 15: It Had to Be Ew”. [58] Marcius, Chelsea Rose and, Molinet, Jason (September TV.com. Retrieved 2014-04-17. 29, 2014). “Neil Diamond Rocks Brooklyn”. New York Daily News. Retrieved 8 June 2015. [40] Stephen Thomas Erlewine (2005-11-08). “12 Songs - Neil Diamond | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards”. AllMusic. [59] “Neil Diamond 2015 Melody Road Tour Schedule”. Con- Retrieved 2014-04-17. certTourNewsHub.com. February 23, 2015. Retrieved [41] Archived October 22, 2013 at the Wayback Machine March 27, 2015.

[42] Stingl, Jim (November 25, 2008). “Film Unites Neil Di- [60] Rocha, Michael James (May 16, 2015). “Neil Diamond: amond, Wife of Late Impersonator, Finally”. Milwaukee So good, so good, so good!". San Diego Union Tribune. Journal Sentinel. Retrieved 8 June 2015.

[43] “AOL Radio - Listen to Free Online Radio - Free Internet [61] Stingl, Jim (November 25, 2008). “Film Unites Neil Di- Radio Stations and Music Playlists”. Spinner.com. Re- amond, Wife of Late Impersonator, Finally”. Milwaukee trieved 2014-04-17. Journal Sentinel. 10 8 EXTERNAL LINKS

[62] Schneider, Karen S (April 29, 1996). “Period of Change”. People. The sadness permeating much of the album is evoked not only by Diamond’s artistic expression but by his very real sense of loss since the end last year of his 25-year-marriage to Marcia Murphey, 54.

[63] “Neil Diamond, 71, Marries His Manager, 42”. Us. April 22, 2012.

[64] “Neil Diamond gets married!". Access Hollywood via Ya- hoo News. April 22, 2012. Retrieved 2012-04-22.

[65] Associated Press (October 22, 2014). “Neil Diamond on His Walk Down 'Melody Road:' 'I Was...Under the Spell Of Love'". Associated Press (via Billboard). Retrieved 15 March 2015.

[66] Fernandez, Sofia M. (September 7, 2011). “Neil Diamond Engaged to Manager Katie McNeil”. The Hollywood Re- porter.

8 External links • Official website • Neil Diamond at DMOZ • Neil Diamond’s Band’s Official Site • Neil Diamond at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame