Neil Diamond

Neil Diamond

Neil Diamond is his real name (Neil Leslie Diamond).  Neil grew up in Brooklyn and went to the same high school, at the same time, as Barbara Streisand.  Wow, do you suppose they kind of stood out in choir?

Neil’s career spans several decades, but he got started as a songwriter in the 60’s and eventually signed his own record deal.  A couple of his early hits were Kentucky Woman and Cherry, Cherry.  His big string of hits came in the 70’s.  He packed concert halls and had a great live show.   A couple of his best albums are the live ‘Hot August Night’ and  ‘Love at the Greek’ (which was also a TV special).

In 1980, Neil starred in a remake of a classic film, The Jazz Singer.  It did ok at the box office but nothing fantastic. 

For the most part, one of my favorite albums is Love at the Greek.  Recorded live at the Greek Theater, this is a greatest hits album of considerable note.  Some of the cuts on this double album are:

– Kentucky Woman

– Beautiful Noise

– Jonathan Livingston Seagull

– Song Sung Blue

– I’ve Been This Way Before

–  Holly Holy

– If you Know What I Mean

– Glory Road

and others

However, in February of 2019, Neil announce that he is suffering from Parkinson’s disease, and canceled his tour at the time.

Obviously, Diamond has been a staple in the American Music scene for all these years.