Introduction:
Neil Diamond, the legendary singer-songwriter behind some of the most beloved anthems in music history, stunned the world in 2018 when he revealed that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. For an artist known for commanding the stage with passion and power, the diagnosis came as a crushing blow—not only to Diamond himself but to millions of fans across the globe. At the age of 82, he officially stepped away from touring, marking the end of an era for live performances—but not the end of his story.
Parkinson’s, a progressive neurological condition, affects movement, balance, and speech. For someone whose identity was built on connection through performance, the reality of losing physical control was, in Neil’s words, “hard to accept.” In a recent interview with CBS Sunday Morning, Diamond admitted that he lived in denial for nearly two years after the diagnosis. But over time, he made peace with it. “This is me. This is what I have to accept. And I’m willing to do it. This is the hand that God’s given me,” he said, with calm resolve.
Born in Brooklyn in 1941, Neil Diamond’s journey from a pre-med student at NYU to one of the best-selling musicians of all time is the stuff of legend. He’s released 32 studio albums, sold over 130 million records, and been inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Hits like “Solitary Man,” “America,” and, of course, “Sweet Caroline” have become interwoven with pop culture itself.
Even after stepping back from touring, Diamond hasn’t left music behind. He continues to write and record from his home studio and has made occasional surprise appearances. One of the most touching moments came during the opening night of A Beautiful Noise, the Broadway musical based on his life. From a box seat, Diamond led the audience in a spontaneous chorus of “Sweet Caroline,” his voice still rich with emotion. It was a powerful reminder that while his body may have changed, his spirit remains strong.
He’s also kept his sense of humor and heart. During the pandemic, he released a viral video updating the lyrics of “Sweet Caroline” to encourage hand-washing. “Hands… washing hands…” he sang, bringing smiles in a difficult time.
Most recently, Diamond joined the ranks of artists like Bob Dylan and Paul Simon in selling his entire music catalog to Universal Music Group. The deal ensures that his work will be preserved and celebrated for generations to come—a fitting legacy for a man who once said, “I still enjoy singing and writing songs, and I hope to share more of my music with the world.”
Despite Parkinson’s, Neil Diamond’s story is far from over. He may no longer tour, but he continues to inspire—with his honesty, resilience, and love for music that still shines like a diamond.