Let’s talk about Neil Diamond – the legend who’s been a household name for decades. Born in 1941, the Brooklyn native started penning songs when he was young. Neil Diamond didn’t only shoot to stardom for writing incredible songs, but for singing them in a way that has touched the hearts of millions of people around the world.
How It All Started
His journey started from humble beginnings writing songs for other people (hello Elvis Presley, The Ventures and The Monkees). Writing smash hits like “I’m a Believer” for the Monkees in 1967 in the famous Brill Building, gave him the huge recognition he needed (and deserved!!) to launch his successful solo career.
He decided to take the leap and be the one singing his impressive songs, and we’re so glad he did! Signing with Bang Records, he released his first album in 1966 called “The Feel of Neil Diamond.” This marked the beginning of an absolutely incredible solo career.
Diamond’s Solo Career
Neil Diamond had a special sound that mixed pop, rock, and folk music. Neil Diamond’s deep voice and meaningful words made his tracks truly unforgettable (to this day!!). In the groovy ’60s and ’70s, he gave us smash hits like “Solitary Man” and “Cherry, Cherry.” However, it was the timeless anthem “Sweet Caroline” which dropped in 1969 that shot him into the mainstream. Even now, the song remains a crowd-pleaser at sports stadiums around the world.
The Golden Era
The 1970s was Neil Diamond’s golden era. Albums like “Tap Root Manuscript” (1970) and “Stones” (1971) dominated the charts, and people from all corners of the globe loved them. His live album, “Love at the Greek” (1977), captured the energy of his performances, and fans couldn’t get enough of his music and loveable personality. During this period, Diamond was not only making music but making history, leaving his stamp on the Billboard charts.
In the late ’70s and early ’80s, Diamond experimented with new sounds. Albums like “Beautiful Noise” (1976) and “The Jazz Singer” (1980) showcased his versatility. As the years rolled on, Neil Diamond continued to connect with audiences with epic albums like “12 Songs” (2005) and “Home Before Dark” (2008).
Dominating The Scene For Over 5 Decades
During the span of his successful career, Neil Diamond has sold more than a staggering 130 million albums worldwide and dominated the scene for over five decades, scoring a massive 38 Top 40 singles and rocking out with 18 Top 10 albums. He even made appearances in the top 10 of the Billboard 200 for a whopping 101 weeks!! If that wasn’t enough, this superstar has also grabbed record sales with 40 Gold albums, 21 Platinum albums, and 12 Multi-Platinum albums.
A Beautiful Noise, The Neil Diamond Musical
In 2018, Diamond announced his retirement from touring as he was sadly diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Despite this, his legacy lives on through the timeless magic of his music. So much so, his story has made its way to Broadway with A Beautiful Noise, The Neil Diamond Musical.
Created in collaboration with the icon himself, A Beautiful Noise, The Neil Diamond Musical is the true untold story of how a kid from Brooklyn became America’s greatest hitmaker. It’s an incredibly inspiring musical memoir that follows the uplifting true story of Neil Diamond, set to the songs that defined his show-stopping career.
Already critically acclaimed for its Boston pre-Broadway run, A Beautiful Noise, The Neil Diamond Musical is written by the four-time Academy Award®-nominee Anthony McCarten (I Wanna Dance With Somebody, Bohemian Rhapsody, The Theory of Everything), directed by the Tony Award® winner Michael Mayer (Spring Awakening, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, American Idiot), and choreographed by the Olivier Award® winner and four-time Tony Award nominee Steven Hoggett (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Once, Black Watch).
These pioneers are complimented with a standout cast that is led by the Tony Award® nominee Will Swenson (Neil Diamond–Then) and Mark Jacoby (Neil Diamond–Now). Other cast members include: Tony Award nominee Robyn Hurder (Marcia); Linda Powell (Doctor); Jessie Fisher (Jaye Posner), Michael McCormick (Fred Colby and Tommy O’Rourke), Tom Alan Robbins (Bert Berns and Kieve Diamond), and Bri Sudia (Ellie Greenwich and Rose Diamond).
This Broadway spectacle also features “The Noise” chorus, played by Jordan Dobson, Paige Faure, Kalonjee Gallimore, Alex Hairston, Jess LeProtto, Tatiana Lofton, Aaron James McKenzie, Mary Page Nance, Max Sangerman, and MiMi Scardulla.