Neil Diamond sat for a candid interview about living with Parkinson’s disease. He shared of having recently accepted his condition. The 82-year-old musician appeared on CBS Sunday Morning and talked with journalist Anthony Mason confessing he was in denial for the first year or two following his diagnosis in 2018.
“When the doctor told me my diagnosis, I just wasn’t ready to accept it,” he said. He also shared that he told the doctor that he will come for the appointments but he must leave as he has work to attend to. Diamond, the singer-songwriter behind hits such as Sweet Caroline and Cracklin’ Rosie, further shared that acceptance has brought him a sense of calm.
Neil Diamond confesses acceptance is a hard process while talking about his Parkinson’s diagnosis
The Sweet Caroline singer shared that he is slowly settling with the Parkinson’s diagnosis and things are flowing. He has started to like himself better. He also finds himself being easier on people and himself. Further, Diamond explained his approach by saying that ‘the beat goes on’ with the promise that it will continue even after his death.
“I think this has just been in the last few weeks. But somehow, a calm has moved in and the hurricane of my life and things have gotten very quiet.”
Despite the positive changes, Diamond shared with Mason that acceptance still remains a difficult process. There are days when he has a hard time facing this condition. On such days, he reminds himself that “this is the hand that God’s given me” and he tries to make the best out of it.
He shared that there’s no cure for Parkinson’s disease hence one can not get away from it. A person in this condition can not say that this is “enough already” and get out of it as it isn’t possible. However, following the acceptance of his limitations Diamond has experienced great days as well.
Neil Diamond received the diagnosis in 2018 and had to withdraw from the Australian concerts of his 50th-anniversary tour. He was already performing shows across the United States and Europe before he announced his retirement from touring.
I didn’t know I could love and respect @NeilDiamond more than I already did, but the honesty and courage in the @CBSSunday Morning interview this morning did that – we LOVE you Neil, we really LOVE you! @KatieMcDiamond
— LSchildgen (@LSchildgen) April 2, 2023
Neil Diamond talks about the Broadway Musical A Beautiful Noise
The Broadway musical ‘A Beautiful Noice’ explores Diamond’s life and musical journey. It opened last December and is part of Diamond’s psychotherapy. Talking about it Diamond shared that it hurt to go through.
There were times when he didn’t like looking at himself. However, the show also flattered him even when he was scared. The fans who attended the opening night of the musical received a mesmerizing performance of Sweet Carolina by Neil Diamond.
It was one of the first appearances of the beloved singer, Neil Diamond after his retirement and Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2018. Talking about this with CBS, Diamond stated that he can still sing.
“I’ve been doing it for 50 years and I enjoy it. It’s like all the systems of my mind and my body are working as one.”
Neil Diamond is one of the all-time bestselling musicians
Diamond was born in Brooklyn in 1941 in a family of immigrants. He lived at many places during his childhood and attended Erasmus Hall High School where he was a member of the Freshman Chorus and Choral Club.
While attending a summer camp at the age of 16, Diamond witnessed Pete Seeger perform a concert that left a lasting impression on him. Due to this he got his first guitar, rolled in for lessons, and started to write his music.
During his senior year at New York University, he received an offer from Sunbeam Music Publishing. It was a 16-week job of writing music for $50 a week, that he took and dropped out of the university.
As I grow older, my love for Neil Diamond grows alongside it. pic.twitter.com/2mGnBSnZaz
— Chaddabis (@Chaddabis) March 28, 2023
His first success came in November 1965 with “Sunday and Me”, performed by Jay and the Americans. Greater success followed with “I’m a Believer”, and “A Little Bit Me, a Little Bit You” performed by the Monkees.
Following this, he continued to work as a songwriter and then later debuted as a solo artist. In his long-running music career as a pop and rock artist, he sold 130 million records worldwide becoming one of the best-selling artists of all time.
Neil Diamond reminisced about his life and career in the CBS interview. He also shared a heartfelt confession- “I have had an amazing life.”
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