Neil Diamond has announced that he is permanently discontinuing large concert tours because he has developed Parkinson’s disease.

How sad. What a great performer.

Below is my cartoon tribute to him:


Admin Note: Link Outdated - Use 2nd link below.

[https://www.azcentral.com/picture-gallery/opinion/op-ed/steve-benson/2018/01/08/steve-benson-cartoons-january-to-march-2018/109263642/]


Current Link:

http://www.gocomics.com/stevebenson/2018/01/24



Hit it, Neil:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNz-VLAZ144


Below's a story on the heart-breaking breaking news from “People Magazine” about his decision to end his decades-long, much-loved touring:

“Neil Diamond will no longer be touring due to his recent diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease. The singer, who turns 77 on Jan. 24, announced his illness on his website Monday.

“’It is with great reluctance and disappointment that I announce my retirement from concert touring. I have been so honored to bring my shows to the public for the past 50 years,' Diamond said.'My sincerest apologies to everyone who purchased tickets and were planning to come to the upcoming shows.’

“The statement also explained that the onset of the Parkinson’s disease has ‘made it difficult to travel and perform on a large scale basis but will allow Mr. Diamond to continue his writing, recording and development of new projects.’

“Diamond added, ‘I plan to remain active in writing, recording and other projects for a long time to come. My thanks goes out to my loyal and devoted audiences around the world. You will always have my appreciation for your support and encouragement. This ride has been ‘so good, so good, so good’ thanks to you.’

“Parkinson’s disease is a neurological disorder with no cure. Symptoms include tremors, stiffness and difficulty balancing, walking and coordinating movement. Due to doctor’s orders, the third leg of his 50th Anniversary tour has been canceled including the Australia and New Zealand dates that were scheduled to kick off in March.

“With over 130 million albums sold, a Grammy win and a spot in the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame, Diamond’s long list of hits include ‘I’m a Believer’ (1967), ‘Red Red Wine’ (1967), ‘Sweet Caroline (Good Times Never Seemed So Good)’ (1969) and ‘Cracklin’ Rosie’ (1970).

"Fans across the country last saw Diamond perform 'Sweet Caroline' during FOX’s New Year’s Eve with Steve Harvey: Live From Times Square when he encouraged the large New York City crowd to join him in singing.

“The Recording Academy will honor Diamond with its prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award during the Grammy Awards on Jan. 28, airing on CBS at 7:30 p.m. EST.”

(“Neil Diamond Diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease, Announces Retirement from Concert Touring,” Karen Mizoguchi, People Magazine, 22 January 2018)
22 January2018, http://people.com/author/karen-mizoguchi/)


I was able to see Diamond live in concert a couple of times. The first was the most memorable. It was when he came to BYU during my undergrad days back in the 1970s, amid a swirl of controversy generated by what some students regarded as his ungodly appearance. His scheduled show caused uptight uber-righteous students to run around with their Mormon Churchy hair on fire in a nationally embarrassing episode of unsightly and unsaintly stinkage sparked by their objections to allowing this shaggy-haired son of Satan Diamond dude bringing his unbecoming, unkempt and unwelcome gentile act to the hallowed concert halls of the Lord’s University.

Diamond showed up as planned and I was fortunate enough to have gotten tickets for the concert. What happened there I will never forget. Sitting on a stool onstage in the Marriott Center, the dastardly Diamond informed the audience that he wanted to read from a newspaper story concerning controversy surrounding his presence that night.

Uh-oh. A low murmur swept through the crowd.

Diamond read the article over the mike, paused, and then observed that it's more important what's inside your head than what's on top of it. He then proceeded to toss the article on to the stage floor. The crowd erupted with cheers and clapping. It was a "We-Were-There-for-the-Hair" moment.

Diamond's reasoned reaction to BYU's obnoxious reactionaries caused even more hell to break loose.

Here’s an account of Diamond's hair-raising performance from the book, “The Lord’s University,” by Bryan Waterman and Brian Kagel:

"The [Dallin] Oaks era’s most notorious episodes surrounding 'standards' . . . centered around dress and grooming regulations. . . .

"[I]n 1976, for example, . . . a month-long furor arose over a campus concert featuring singer Neil Diamond. Prior to the concert, a student wrote to the ['Daily] Universe' [campus newspaper] that Diamond, whose thick, feathered hair 'obviously is not [in] keeping [with] the Lord’s standard of grooming,' should not be allowed on campus, since his celebrity status would instill 'in many of us a plan to imitate.'

"Another student (who later admitted he was 'poking a little bit of fun,' though the first student said he was being 'fairly serious' about the apparent 'double standard') wrote that 'seeing the performer in person would have a devastating effect on our testimonies.'

"In response, Diamond poked fun back at BYU’s regulations during the concert: 'I’m just beginning to grow it,' he told the crowd of 15,000 as he ran his fingers through his hair. He also said some people 'worry too much about what goes on top of someone’s head rather than what goes on inside it.'

"His comments received roars of approval from the crowd, though that reaction in itself prompted angry responses from other students. The 'Universe' reporter covering the concert said the singer had 'carried it a little too far,' leaving 'a thin layer of ice' over the crowd.

"Three students wrote in a joint letter that it was 'obvious . . . that the whole production was a tactic to win us over. . . . Mr. Diamond wanted us to love him more than our standards.' Another student wrote that he was 'appalled' by the crowd’s reaction. 'Do those students not comprehend what he said? Do those students believe that our university is more concerned with what our hair looks like than what is in our minds? I think not.' Others decried the 'holier-than-thou' attitude of these letter-writers, asking BYU students to 'grow up.' A similar incident in 1980 called attention to a clause in BYU’s entertainment contract that required female performers to wear bras; singer Melissa Manchester told a BYU audience, 'Frankly, I would be interested to meet the young man who is going to check.'"

"The Diamond incident . . . received national attention . . . . "

("The Lord’s University," by Bryan Waterman and Brian Kagel, Chapter 4, "Making Model Students: The Transformation of the Honor Code" [Salt Lake City, Utah: Signature Books, 1998] pp. 153-54)


Neil, you were the best. You will be missed.

And way to stick it to those moronic Mormons midgets.
_____


--"Cracklin' Rosie"

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=TEiv-VrfHlQ



--"Cherry Cherry:"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlcuAsgc5-c



--"I'm a Believer"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWQv0dkVzVU&index=23&list=PLRopznIfpLoPgiqAa0i2BhWViTXO5yBmf



--"Hello Again"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2UtPMYlcvg&list=PLnYrj4XJfAcm4Zv97FrSo9dZqlFv-HNXb&index=4



--"Sweet Caroline"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quekbRowubQ&index=11&list=PLnYrj4XJfAcm4Zv97FrSo9dZqlFv-HNXb



--"Coming to America"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFwSzZQ4MVI



--"Seotember Morn"

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UEQ6zWMQV74



--"Beautiful Noise:"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Le3DG0zgyoU&list=PLnYrj4XJfAcm4Zv97FrSo9dZqlF



--"Thank the Lord for the Nightime:"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfUJWVfxpEo&list=PLnYrj4XJfAcm4Zv97FrSo9dZqlFv-HNXb&index=30



--"Red, Red Wine"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ysxw7EON5xc&index=34&list=PLnYrj4XJfAcm4Zv97FrSo9dZqlFv-HNXb



--"Brother Love's Traveling Show"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5va1iaLj2M



--"Desiree"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwHMtqcP6nQ



--"Forever in Blue Jeans"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQLWF_ItzYs&list=PLRopznIfpLoPgiqAa0i2BhWViTXO5yBmf&index=8



--"Kentucky Woman"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtqXc1vY93U&list=PLRopznIfpLoPgiqAa0i2BhWViTXO5yBmf&index=16



--"Hot August Night Revisited 1972"

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Ztrb_Ty4eZE



--"Mix"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wu7WHOF1Rqk&list=RDwu7WHOF1Rqk&t=18



--"Something Blue"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qjqysU36tw


NB: Edited by Admin only to update link to the tribute cartoon (at top of this post)



Edited 26 time(s). Last edit at 01/26/2018 08:04PM by Maude.

Great tribute, Steve.

I enjoyed your cartoon and comments about Neil Diamond... especially about his visit to BYU. Thanks for sharing!

Ahhhhhhh yes...the Neil Diamond concert at BYU. Early February 1976 if I recall. I attended three concerts that month, Neil Diamond at the Marriott Center, KISS (when they were really young) in SLC at the Terrace Ballroom, and Janis Ian at the U of U.

I remember someone wrote a letter to the Daily Universe as a joke saying that entertainers should not be allowed to perform at BYU unless they adhered to the Dress Code (no long hair, beards, etc.). Someone else followed up that letter with a SERIOUS letter saying that performers should have to pass a Bishops interview.

Of course this made the national news and there was some concern that Neil would cancel.

But he showed up. There were more than 15,000 in attendance (the concert was the first to be held "in the round" and the Marriott Center was jammed packed), and I believe most in attendance were cringing as to when Neil would say something.

I started laughing my ass off when he pulled out a newspaper and read from the article. When he said, "There are too many people around here that worry too much about what is on top of someone’s head rather than what goes on inside it", I jumped up and started screaming and cheering. It seemed like most of the people were doing the same. If I were Oaks or any other school leader there in the crowd, I would have crawled out.

He showed a lot of class by leaving it there and going on to putting on a GREAT concert. Glad I was there.

And what a way for Diamond to kick it off!

Like you said, he was a total class act in response to the asses on campus who had attacked him. Get a life, folks. Kick back, chill out with your church-approved cold glass of milk and enjoy the show. :)



Edited 10 time(s). Last edit at 01/24/2018 04:12AM by steve benson.

steve benson Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> And what a way for Diamond to kick it off!
>
> Like you said, he was a total class act in
> response to the asses on campus who had attacked
> him. Get a life, folks. Kick back, chill out
> with your church-approved cold glass of milk and
> enjoy the show. :)

"enjoy the show" ? "We hope you benefit from what you are about to see"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vICq4gGFfY

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/24/2018 03:58PM by steve benson.

‘Red, red wine. Goes to my head. Helps me forget that I...’. Cranked that one up a lot after divorce. A genius performer.

Very nice tribute drawing, Steve.

What a coincidence...I come into my office very early every morning, and put on some music. Just as I clicked on your message, "Hello, Again" by Neil (from The Jazz Singer) came on my shuffle playlist. Perfect :)

I didn't know the BYU appearance story. Loved it.

Neil Diamond is still alive ?

Awesome tribute with that drawing, Steve.

I saw him last year and am now more glad that I decided to go.

I remember well the insanity that happened over that concert.

Love your tribute.

I didn't see "Cracklin' Rosie" there. Being the stupid mormon I am, it took my nonmormon friend, who adores Neil Diamond, to tell me it was about wine. ha ha ha I didn't find out until about 10 years ago.

So many good ones! I love "September Morn" because it reminds me of my relationship with my now boyfriend from then and now.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/24/2018 11:56AM by cl2.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/24/2018 03:58PM by steve benson.

My youth as a Mormon was spent like a skipping stone through the southeast morridor of Idaho and then Utah before making my way to Silicon Valley where I finished high school.

Through my lonely sojourn, Neil Diamond helped me start out on my path - beginning in the 9th grade. I listened to his album "Hot August Night," maybe a few hundred times. His songs became my songs as I internalized "I am I said," and "Sweet Caroline," among others.

He helped me navigate my loneliness into hope and simple goal setting for a poor Idaho bumpkin who didn't even know at the time I would be the first in my family to get a college degree, and forge a life for myself from the dustbowl and the dysfunctional home I was born into.

"Song Song Blue," "Cracklin Rose," more of my faves from his Hot August Night collection.

Neil Diamond is also synonymous to me with Jonathan Livingston Seagull, another high school freshman year mental breakthrough read for me, and subsequent film. He did the soundtrack. That, and Khalil Gibran's "The Prophet." And "The Little Prince." All helped me to open my eyes to a bigger world outside the corridor of the morridor where I spent the majority of my childhood and youth.

Thanks, Neil, for helping me to grow from a girl to a woman. :)

I used to play those songs on the piano. I introduced my kids to him long ago and they both love him and Jonathan Livingston Seagull. LOVE THAT ALBUM.

My never Mo grandmother who spent her adulthood living between Brigham City and Ogden is the one to introduce me to all of the above mentioned novels (Jonathan L. Seagull, The Prophet, and The Little Prince.)

She was my mensch for much of my early life.

One of my children's middle name is Livingston. Now where do you s'pose that came from? (It was a good thing I stopped at Livingston har har.)

;-)



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/24/2018 04:10PM by Amyjo.

I have attended many, many concerts over the course of my lifetime. But I never went to one where the place ROCKED like it did that night. The guy had so much energy - and was pouring it out to the audience, and they were feeding it right back to him.

His last song was "America." It was intensely emotional, and so patriotic. Those were the days when we could be - and were - proud to be Americans.

The crowd was on its feet, roaring, singing along, being in the moment and loving it. I have been to many, many popular music concerts over the years - but never one quite like that.

I wasn't that much of a fan, but the guy I was dating at the time was, and I have to admit, I enjoyed the razzle-dazzle of the show. There was a lot of it, and it just seemed RIGHT.

Thanks, Neil, for being part of my growing-up years!

Good grief. A lot of to-do about nothing, except to make BYU look ridiculous. (And worse, some don't even no this.)

He needed to quit, he couldnt sing, all he could do was talk the words to the music

That's what Parkinson's does. Linda Ronstadt said she can't sing a note either.

When I was out shopping tonight, what did I hear but Neil Diamond almost as soon as I entered the store singing "Sweet Caroline."

A little while later joined up with company for dinner at Chee Cheeburger. There he was again singing "Cracklin' Rose."

I wondered if it isn't so much coincidence as the fact he's in the news today so many of the music stations are playing his hits?

Seemed a logical explanation to me since seldom do I hear Neil Diamond on the radio these days (or when shopping.)

Diamond was profiled on Geni yesterday - here's a clip of his bio:

"Diamond was born on January 24, 1941 in Brooklyn, New York to a Jewish family. In high school, Diamond was a member of the Freshman Chorus and Choral Club alongside future music icon Barbra Streisand. The former classmates would later record the hit duet, “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers,” in 1978. He attended New York University on a fencing scholarship intending to study medicine, but dropped out shorty before graduation to pursue a career as a singer and songwriter.

With a successful career that has spanned five decades, Diamond has sold over 130 million albums worldwide. Some of his biggest hits include, “Sweet Caroline,” “Solitary Man,” and “Holly Holy.” The award-winning singer was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1984 and into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2011.

Just two days before his 77th birthday, Diamond officially announced his retirement from concert touring due to his diagnosis with Parkinson’s disease. Although he will no longer be touring, Diamond has stated that he will continue to remain active writing and recording music. This coming Sunday, Diamond will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Grammys."

His live, taped version of Holly Holy, 1971:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQwqQwD6OOw

. . . here's another link:

http://www.gocomics.com/stevebenson/2018/01/24

I saw Neil Diamond in concert close to twenty years ago. Even then, he was starting to lose his voice on some portions of his songs. As a fan, I enjoyed the concert anyway, partly because in my mind, I was hearing those parts of those songs where his voice was scratchy, from memory instead of what my ears were hearing, as I watched him. Some of the time in parts of some songs, he would hit a zone of the perfection in his voice that he had as a younger man, before losing it again a few seconds later. So I am surprised that he lasted yet another twenty years of doing concerts after that point. I admire his tenacity. Many of us start losing the sharpness of our talents with age alone.

Just watched this video of another rock singer legend (Linda Ronstadt.) She gave up singing back in 2013 following her diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBHJL_splYg

I was never a Neil Diamond fan, but growing up when I did many of his tunes are branded into my brain. I could still probably sing many of them note for note (well, I can hardly carry a tune in a bucket, but I would get the lyrics right). I have heard that he was amazing live. So, even though I'm not a fan, it's sad to hear as he was a large part of my youth.

It's funny how powerfully music can transport you back in time. I recently purchased an album of Neil Diamond's all-time greatest hits and found myself reminiscing deeply about my first semester at Ricks College. Like Amyjo and cl2 mentioned, Neil Diamond and Jonathan Livingston Seagull run together for me as well.

In any case, post mission I attended a Neil Diamond concert during the 1977 winter block at BYU. A young lady I really liked from 1974-1975 had asked me out. Sadly, we didn't hit it off at all. There was no spark. But just what was expecting? To pick up where we had left off?

DM (Dear Mom) kept my letters home from Ricks College and from my mission. I reread some of them recently and I realized how much the aforementioned young lady meant to me in 1975. One year ago, she (former girlfriend) and I reconnected briefly on FB and some of the parallels in our lives were stunning, except for our divergent religious beliefs. In fact, it seems that most of my contemporaries have remained in the church.

Life is full of strange twists. In my 20s, I could hardly imagine where my choices (family and career path) would take me or how my faith would change over time. It took well into my fourth decade for my church view to crumble. Gracias a Dios, I finally woke up.

I Am... I Said



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/03/2020 05:51PM by cuzx.

I remember the concert he did at the U of U the day before the one at BYU. It was the first concert he had done after he wrote the score for the movie "Jonathon Livingston Seagull." That was a very special night of music.....

I think I even saw the last concert he did before "Jonathon Livingston Seagull;" that became the Hot August Nights live album. Also a very special night of music.

Sad to hear this news.

DaveinTX,

Do you remember what day it was in March? I can't find a record of his concert at BYU that year. I got to the Y on Monday, February 28, 1977 and block classes began that week. I've been trying to put some dates together but I never wrote in a journal.

Cuz X

Even though I enjoyed a few of his songs in my youth, I think his talent was more in songwriting than singing.

He did three concerts in early February. One in Logan, one in SLC, and one in Provo. Now that I think about it, I think first one was in Logan, then Provo, and then SLC. I remember him making a specific comment to the SLC audience about the hair issue at BYU. SLC one was at the Special Events Center at U of U (now Huntsman Center). And I remember it was a fundraiser for whatever democratic candidate was running for Congress in District 2 in 1976. Wayne Owens? The SEC had such perfect acoustics due to the dome. It was a great night of music!

I saw Neil twice—once in the 80s in Oakland and again in San Jose on his last tour. Great performer.