Neil Diamond, the legendary entertainer, is speaking up about his Parkinson’s disease, a degenerative and irreversible neurological condition. The 82-year-old singer-songwriter was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2018 and recently revealed his treatment with CBS Sunday Morning.
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The composer of “Sweet Caroline” stated he only acknowledged the truth of his illness in the “past few weeks,” and that accepting it has been a journey.
“I’m still doing it. And I don’t like it. This is the hand that God’s given me, and I have to make the best of it, and so I am,” (…) “calm has moved [into] the hurricane of my life, and things have gotten very quiet, as quiet as this recording studio. And I like it. I find that I like myself better. I’m easier on people. I’m easier on myself. And the beat goes on, and it will go on long after I’m gone.”
Diamond then continued to describe his feelings about the disease and the struggle that represented for him to accept his condition:
“I can’t really fight this thing, so I had to accept it, this Parkinson’s disease. There’s no cure. There’s no getting away from it. You can’t just say, ‘Okay, enough already. Let’s get back to life.’ It doesn’t work like that. But I’ve come to accept what limitations I have, and still have great days.” (…) “I still can sing,” (…) “I feel good. It’s like, all the systems in my mind and my body are working as one when I’m singing. And it’s a great feeling.”
Neil Diamond: A Music Institution.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1941, Diamond began his career in the music industry in the 1960s and has since become one of the most successful and well-respected musicians of his time. He has sold over 100 million records worldwide and has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Diamond’s early years in the music industry were marked by success as a songwriter. He wrote hit songs for popular artists such as the popular band The Monkees, Elvis Presley, and Cliff Richard. In the late 1960s, Diamond began recording and releasing his own music. His first big hit came in 1966 with the song “Solitary Man.” The song reached the top ten on the charts and marked the beginning of Diamond’s successful solo career.
Throughout the 1970s, Diamond continued to release hit albums and singles. His unique blend of pop, rock, and folk music made him a popular artist among a wide range of audiences. In addition to his success in the United States, Diamond also gained a large following in other countries, such as the United Kingdom and Australia.
Diamond’s popularity continued into the 1980s with the release of his album “The Jazz Singer,” which served as the soundtrack to the film of the same name. The album featured the hit song “Love on the Rocks” and marked Diamond’s transition into the world of movie soundtracks. He continued to release successful albums throughout the 1980s and 1990s, including “Heartlight,” which featured the hit song of the same name.
One of Neil Diamond’s most iconic songs is “Sweet Caroline,” which was released in 1969. The song has become a staple at sporting events and parties, and its catchy chorus has made it a fan favorite for generations. “Sweet Caroline” reached number four on the US charts and remains one of Diamond’s most beloved songs.
Another one of Neil Diamond’s most popular songs is “I’m a Believer,” which was originally recorded by The Monkees in 1966. Diamond wrote the song, and it became a number one hit for The Monkees. The song’s catchy melody and upbeat lyrics have made it a favorite among fans of all ages.
Other hit songs from Diamond include “Cracklin’ Rosie,” “Song Sung Blue,” “Hello Again,” “September Morn,” and “Love on the Rocks.” Diamond’s unique blend of pop, rock, and folk music has made him a popular artist among a wide range of audiences, and his songs continue to be played and enjoyed to this day.
In addition to his own success, many artists have covered Neil Diamond’s music over the years. Some of the most notable covers of Diamond’s songs include UB40’s reggae-infused version of “Red Red Wine,” which reached number one on the US charts in 1983, and Johnny Cash’s haunting rendition of “Solitary Man,” which was released in 2000.
Other artists include Elvis Presley, Barbra Streisand, The Beach Boys, Frank Sinatra, and Shirley Bassey. Diamond’s music has also been featured in numerous films and TV shows, including the classic comedy “The Big Lebowski,” which features a memorable scene set to “Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In).”
Neil Diamond has also collaborated with a great number of artists throughout his career. In 1985, he teamed up with Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings for the album “The Highwayman,” an album of the supergroup Highwaymen which featured Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and Kris Kristofferson. This album includes the hit single “Desperados Waiting for a Train.”
Diamond has also worked with other legends of the music industry, such as Barbra Streisand, who he collaborated with on the hit “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers.”
In 2018, Diamond announced that he would be retiring from touring due to his recent diagnosis with Parkinson’s disease. Going back to the statements given in his most recent interview, although it is true that the artist has slowed down his touring schedule he said he hasn’t “given it up, yet.”
“I just have to take life as it comes to me, enjoy it, be thankful that I’ve had it, especially having the life that I’ve had,” Diamond stated.
Independent Writer. Marketing and communications strategist for politicians, artists, public figures & corporate brands for more than 10 years. Contact: @alejandrosbasso (Twitter)
Escritor independiente. Consultor en marketing y comunicaciones de políticos, artistas, figuras públicas y marcas por más de 10 años. Contacto: @alejandrosbasso (Twitter)