Neil Diamond, the American singer-songwriter was born on January 24, 1941, in Brooklyn New York, US. He started his career by writing pop songs for other musicians, and afterward began a solo recording career spanning over five decades.
The interest of Neil Diamond in music started at the age of 16 years when he acquired guitar for the first time. Neil Diamond has been a student at New York University intending to enter medical school. But he left college at the time of his final year for a job as a staff songwriter for the Sunbeam Music Company.
His duration at Sunbeam was for a brief period, becoming one of the songwriters’ stable working out of the famous Brill Building in New York.
Neil Diamond’s contracts and albums
In the year 1965, Neil Diamond signed a recording agreement with Bang Records and after one year, his first album, The Feel of Neil was launched. Briefly, afterward, he wrote the song “I’m a Believer” in 1966, which was recorded and made renowned by the Monkees. In 1967, a new recording agreement with Uni Records were signed by Diamond, with whom he has recorded hits such as “Brother Love’s Traveling Salvation Show” in 1969, “Cracklin Rosie” in 1970, “Sweet Caroline” in 1969, “Song Sung Blue” in 1972, “I Am…I Said” in 1971.
After he left Uni for Columbia Records, Neil Diamond recorded Jonathan Livingston Seagull’s soundtrack in 1973, earning him a Grammy Award. Thereafter he released many hit albums in the 1970s, which include Beautiful Noise in 1976, Serenade in 1974, You Don’t Bring Me Flowers in 1978 portraying a duet with Barbra Streisand, September Morn in 1979, and Love at the Greek in 1977.
Neil Diamond made his debut in motion picture in 1980, starring in the film The Jazz Singer’s remake, writing and performing for the soundtrack. Other noteworthy albums are Live in America in 1994, Heartlight in 1982, The Neil Diamond Collection in 1999, and In My Lifetime in 1996. During the early part of the 21st century, Diamond released 12 Songs in 2005, The Essential Neil Diamond in 2001, Home Before Dark in 2008, Stages in 2003, and Melody Road in 2014.
He also played a principal character in Saving Silverman in 2001. In January 2018, after the diagnosis of his Parkinson’s disease, Neil Diamond declared that he was getting retired from touring.
Awards and Recognitions of Neil Diamond
The Songwriter’s Hall of Fame has held Neil Diamond in high esteem after his first appearance in the year 1984 and afterward in 2000 when the Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award was bestowed on him. He was introduced to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2011. He was also honored with the Grammy Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2018 and the Kennedy Center Honor in 2011.
FAQs:
When was Neil Diamond born?
Neil Diamond, the American singer-songwriter was born on January 24, 1941, in Brooklyn New York, US. He started his career by writing pop songs for other musicians, and afterward began a solo recording career spanning over five decades.
What are the awards and recognitions of Neil Diamond?
The Songwriter’s Hall of Fame has held Neil Diamond in high esteem after his first appearance in the year 1984 and afterward in 2000 when the Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award was bestowed on him. He was introduced to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2011. He was also honored with the Grammy Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2018 and the Kennedy Center Honor in 2011.
