Introduction
Neil Diamond — a name known across generations. Yet in recent years, he seems to have stepped away from the spotlight. The main reason became clear in January 2018, when Diamond announced that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease — an incurable neurological disorder that causes tremors, muscle stiffness, difficulty balancing, and can eventually lead to depression, anxiety, and even dementia.
This illness forced Diamond to cancel the remainder of his 50th anniversary tour, something he admitted brought him “reluctance and disappointment.” However, he made it clear he would not give up music entirely, vowing to continue writing and recording for as long as possible. Diamond expressed his gratitude to his loyal fans who had supported him throughout his journey, calling it a ride that had been “so good, so good, so good.”
In truth, Diamond’s tendency to “disappear” is nothing new. As far back as the 1970s, he took extended breaks from performing to maintain balance in his life, avoiding the constant pressure and exhaustion of the spotlight. When he returned in 1976, his attempt at a film career faced setbacks with the commercial and critical failure of The Jazz Singer (1980). The movie was widely panned, but fortunately, it didn’t derail his music career.
Thanks to his massive success in the 1960s and 1970s, Diamond secured lucrative contracts worth hundreds of thousands of dollars per album, and to this day, he still earns substantial royalties from timeless hits like Sweet Caroline. Following the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, he even donated a week’s worth of royalties from the song to the victims.
Now, approaching 80, Neil Diamond is no longer seeking to redefine music. His legacy is firmly established. He has been honored with induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (2011), received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (2012), released a 50th anniversary collection (2017), and accepted a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Recording Academy (2018).
Neil Diamond has never been the stereotypical loud and wild “rock star.” He has always avoided excessive exposure, preferring to write music at home rather than attend parties. As he once said, “I learned from Elvis to avoid becoming public property. Nothing is worth that.”