Neil Diamond
Neil Leslie Diamond was born on 24 January 24, 1941 in Brooklyn, New York and attended high school with Barbra Streisand, where they sang in the school choir. Receiving a guitar as a gift in his mid-teens, Neil was inspired by folk singer Pete Seeger.
At nineteen years of age Neil and a high school friend, Jack Parker landed a recording contract with Duel records, but âNeil and Jackâ would end after one unsuccessful release.
Turning twenty-one, Neil was signed by Columbia Records, but that too proved unsuccessful after a single, âAt Nightâ failed to raise much interest. Neil then turned to songwriting where he had success with a hit for The Monkees, âIâm a Believerâ and âA Little Bit Me, a Little Bit Youâ.
After signing with Bang Records, Neil had his first chart hit in 1966 with âSolitary Manâ and in the summer of that year reached the top ten with his first gold record, âCherry, Cherryâ. The following year he again reached the top ten with âGirl, Youâll be a Woman Soonâ, followed by âThank the Lord for the Night Timeâ andâKentucky Womanâ.
Moving to Los Angeles and signing with Uni Records, Neil hit gold in 1969 with âSweet Carolineâ and âHolly Holy.â In 1970 âCracklinâ Roseâ gave him his first #1 chart topper. âI Am..I Saidâ was top five in 1971, followed by Neilâs second #1 hit,âSong Sung Blue.â
Returning to Columbia Records, Neil Diamond reached the top five with âLongfellow Serenadeâ in 1974. In the fall of 1978, his third #1 hit was a duet with old friend Barbra Striesend, âYou Donât Bring Me Flowers.â
In 1980, after starring in the motion picture âThe Jazz Singerâ Neil Diamondâs songs from that movie, âLove on the Rocks,â âHello Againâ and âAmericaâ were each top five hit singles. Two years later in 1982 âHeartlightâ also peaked at #5 on the charts.
Among Neil Diamonds numerous hits are, âShiloâ, âPlay Meâ, âBrother Loveâs Traveling Salvation Showâ, âDesireeâ, âHe Ainât Heavy, Heâs my Brotherâ, âForever In Blue Jeansâ and âSeptember Mornâ.â
In 1972, Neil performed at ten sold out concerts at the famed Greek Theatre in Los Angeles. The performance on Thursday August the 24th was recorded and released as the live double album âHot August Nightâ that would become an international best seller and considered by his fans as a classic recording.
Today, Neil continues to tour and record, with his most recent album, â12 songsâ debuting at #4 upon its release in November 2005. At the time, Neil Diamond is estimated to have sold more than 120 million records worldwide.
A Golden Globe nominee, Neil Diamond also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
In 2007 Neil Diamond was inducted into the Hit Parade Hall of Fame.
External links
- quasimodobell.com Full discography