Neil Diamond Biography (1941- )

Singer/songwriter Neil Diamond has thrilled generations of listeners around the world with hits upon hits.

Neil Diamond: Songwriter

Born Neil Leslie Diamond in 1941 to Jewish parents, Neil Diamond got his start in music early in the New York City SING! program, a school program designed to teach aspiring musicians the ropes. Neil Diamond sang in the same choir as Barbara Streisand and SING! also played host to the likes of Paul Simon and Neil Sedaka. In addition to being a talented singer, Neil Diamond was an expert fencer and gained a scholarship in the sport to NYU.

After starring in a failed duo group, Neil Diamond started a solo career. Neil Diamond’s first two releases were critically acclaimed but failed to do much business. After that career seemed to dead end, Neil Diamond took a job writing songs for more successful artists. Most notably, Neil Diamond wrote the 1966 hit “I’m a Believer” for the Monkees. Neil Diamond’s songwriting helped make a name for himself and opened doors for his own return to solo work.

Neil Diamond: The 60s

In 1966, Neil Diamond released The Feel of Neil Diamond album. With the oft-covered “Solitary Man” being a successful lead-off single followed by hits “Cherry, Cherry” and “Kentucky Woman.” The next album Just for You was also bursting with hits like “Girl You’ll Be a Woman Soon” and “You Got to Me.” The dual releases made Neil Diamond a rising star, proving that Neil Diamond had outgrown his current small label. After a lengthy fight over contracts, Neil Diamond jumped to a bigger label and bigger fame. Neil Diamond had even bigger hits with the new label. “Sweet Caroline” was a No.4 hit and blew Neil Diamond’s career wide open. “Cracklin’ Rosie” was a No.1 hit, Neil Diamond’s first but certainly not the last. On the strength of No.6 hit “Holly, Holy” the album Touching You, Touching Me went gold and would set the trend of Neil Diamond’s chart topping success going into the 1970s.

Neil Diamond: The 70s

Thanks to “Cracklin’ Rosie” and “He Ain’t Heavy… He’s My Brother” 1970’s Tap Root Manuscript went platinum. No.4 hit “I Am… I Said” made 1971 album Stones go gold. The 1970s continued to be profitable for Neil Diamond with another platinum album Moods, which boasted Neil Diamond’s No.1 hit “Song Sung Blue.” As a growing and in-demand live act, Neil Diamond launched a sold-out tour and used the occasion to produce classic live album Hot August Night. The double album was a landmark achievement for Neil Diamond and was certified double platinum.

Unlikely success came to Neil Diamond when he recorded the soundtrack to the critical and box-office flop Jonathan Livingston Seagull. The album was as much a hit as the film was a bust. The Jonathan Livingston Seagull Soundtrack outsold the movie itself and went double platinum. Serenade followed the two highly praised albums. With hits “Longfellow Serenade” and “I’ve Been This Way Before” Serenade went platinum. The trend continued through the 1970s with four more studio albums going platinum or higher and live album Love at the Greek going double platinum.

Neil Diamond: 1980s-1990s

Neil Diamond started off the decade by providing a great soundtrack to a horrible film, the Jazz Singer. The soundtrack went five times platinum, and single “America” would become a long lasting Neil Diamond hit. On the Way to the Sky and Heartlight were two more platinum-selling albums. Neil Diamond also had Top 10 hits with “Heartlight” and “Yesterday’s Songs.” Neil Diamond’s career took a momentary downturn in the late 1980s, but he still managed to make gold records and tour constantly to packed arenas. In addition to the notoriety from tours, Neil Diamond remained in the limelight from covers and uses of his old hits at sporting events and in political campaigns.

Neil Diamond: Return

While still touring to enormous crowds and releasing albums, Neil Diamond waited for gold to find him again. A collaboration with music guru Rick Rubin led to 2005’s 12 Songs which was a return to form for Neil Diamond. 12 Songs debuted at No.4, shocked the music world, and enjoyed critical acclaim. With the success, Neil Diamond toured even more and sold out more tickets and venues. A current 2008 tour is also filling arenas with adoring fans. Neil Diamond continues to be one of top acts in music history. With more than 40 years of experience and a youthful energy, the future looks just as bright as the past for Neil Diamond.

Neil Diamond: Greatest Hits

• “Solitary Man” from the Feel of Neil Diamond album
• “Cherry, Cherry” from the Feel of Neil Diamond album
• “Sweet Caroline” from the Sweet Caroline album
• “Holly, Holy” from the Touching You, Touching Me album
• “Girl, You’ll be a Woman Soon” from the Just For You album
• “Cracklin’ Rosie” from the Tap Root Manuscript album
• “I am… I Said” from the Stones album
• “Song Sung Blue” from the Moods album
• “You Don’t Bring me Flowers” from the You Don’t Bring me Flowers album
• “America” from the Jazz Singer Soundtrack album
• “Heartlight” from the Heartlight album
• “I’m a Believer” from the September Mom album
• “Longfellow Serenade” from the Serenade album
• “I’ve Been This Way Before” from the Serenade album