Neil Diamond

Neil Diamond
Background information
Birth name	Neil Leslie Diamond
Also known as	The Jewish Elvis,[1] The Diamond Cutter
Born	(1941-01-24) January 24, 1941 (age 84)
Origin	New York City, U.S.
Genres	Rock, pop, folk, country
Occupation(s)	Singer-songwriter, musician
Instruments	Vocals, guitar, piano
Years active	1958 – present
Labels	Bang, Uni, MCA, Columbia
Website	neildiamond.com

Neil Leslie Diamond (born January 24, 1941)^[2] is an American singer-songwriter and musician. He wrote songs for Sonny and Cher, the Ronettes, Jay and the Americans and the Monkees. He began singing his own songs in 1966. From 1966 to 1968 he had written 14 hit songs and sold more than 12 million records. For a while he was the most highly paid performer in the world.^[2]

Thirty-eight songs by Diamond have reached the top 10 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary charts, including "Sweet Caroline".

His first recording was "Solitary Man" in 1966. He recorded the album Brother Love's Travelling Salvation Show which included the song "Sweet Caroline". This song reached number 3 on the US charts and sold more than a million copies.^[2]

Diamond is Jewish.^[3]

In January 2018, Diamond was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.^[4][5]

1. ↑ Wild, David (1992-08-06). "review of The Greatest Hits 1966-1992". Rolling Stone (magazine). Archived from the original on 2009-12-18. Retrieved 2009-05-07.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2} Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs. London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p. 258. ISBN 978-0-214-20512-5.
3. ↑ "Diamond still loves singing at 71". Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-07-02.
4. ↑ Mandell, Andrea (January 22, 2018). "Neil Diamond announces Parkinson's diagnosis, immediate retirement". USA Today. McLean, Virginia: Gannett Company. Retrieved January 22, 2018.
5. ↑ McLean, Rob (January 22, 2018). "Neil Diamond diagnosed with Parkinson's, retires from touring". CNN. Atlanta: Turner Broadcasting System. Retrieved January 22, 2018.