Neil Diamond, who wrote timeless songs like ‘Sweet Caroline,’ ’Cracklin’ Rosie,’ ‘Cherry, Cherry,’ and ‘Song Sung Blue,’ is one of the most adored and successful performers of all time.
For decades, the singer-songwriter charmed audiences with live performances; however, after receiving
a Parkinson’s disease diagnosis in 2018, Diamond’s successful concert touring career came to an end.
The 82-year-old artist spoke candidly about finally accepting the illness in a recent interview.
Diamond acknowledged that it took him some time to process his Parkinson’s diagnosis in an interview with CBS Sunday Morning.
In a way, Diamond admitted, ‘I was in denial for the first year or two.’ ’I was just not prepared to accept it when the doctor informed me
what it was. I responded, ‘Well, okay. You know, whenever you want to see me, I’ll be there. Well, I must get to work, so I’ll see you later.
Diamond’s 50th Anniversary tour included stops in the US and Europe in 2017. However, he declared in 2018 that
he was postponing the tour’s stop in Australia and New Zealand since it had become too challenging due to Parkinson’s disease.
’I regretfully announce my retirement from concert traveling with much difficulty. For the past 50 years,
I have been very pleased to present my programs to the general people, Diamond remarked in a press release at the time.
It has taken Diamond a long time and a lot of effort to fully embrace his sickness and retirement,
he admitted to CBS, adding that it was ‘extremely hard” for him to stop touring. Yet the performer claimed that, ‘in the last few weeks,’ he had at last found peace with it.
The hurricane of my life has somehow become tranquil, and everything has been as silent as this recording studio, according to Diamond. And I enjoy it.
I’ve come to appreciate myself more. I’m kinder to people and to myself. The rhythm continues, and it will continue long after I’m gone.
Despite his retirement from the stage, Neil Diamond still has a lot of devoted followers. A Beautiful Noise,
a Broadway stage musical based on his life, is currently showing, and Diamond termed it ‘absolutely beautiful’ and ‘a dream come true.’
‘This program was a component of my therapy. That also stung. In many of the scenes, I didn’t like looking at myself,’he said to CBS.
Diamond himself played ‘Sweet Caroline’ during the curtain call for viewers who came to the debut of that show last year.
Also, Diamond played ’Sweet Caroline’ at a Boston Red Sox game in June 2022. The song is played every night at Fenway Park.
Neil Diamond can still sing and is still willing to give his all in rare appearances, despite Parkinson’s forcing him to stop touring. Audiences adore this.