Community Chat

[Katcat1]

I think it is truly sad that he has this disease and wish him the best in his fight against it.  Take Care, Neil.     P.S.  Many years ago I saw him live in concert in Chicago.  He put on a fantastic show.

[Snoopp]

I hope he can avoid some of the horrific symptoms of Parkinsons.  Sad news.

[blackhole99]

Never cared for him as a performer, but he sure did write great songs. That being said, I hope he can cope with this devastating illness.

[Moonchilde]

IMO he should have retired several years ago based on his voice alone.  I heard him maybe ten years ago and his voice just hasn’t maintained; he was at first attempting to sing full-on 60s/70s versions and wasn’t making the notes, so he had to switch to less technically difficult versions - which isn’t what people want to pay for. Sad but unsatisfactory.

Barry Manilow OTOH has kept his voice very well and can still mostly fully sing his original music. 

I have loved both entertainers equally since their heyday. But not everyone is lucky to be able to maintain a voice like Tony Bennett or Paul Anka.

I’m sad that Neil has Parkinson’s to the point it affects his touring, but I think he lost his 60s/70s voice long ago.

[Shawnie]

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@DiAnne wrote:

I love the singer/song writers.  I have seen Neil Diamond several times at the Greek Theater in LA when he was at his peak.  I was there the night that Hot August Night was recorded.  

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I am very jealous!  What an experience that must have been!

[Moonchilde]

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@Shawnie wrote:

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@DiAnne wrote:

I love the singer/song writers.  I have seen Neil Diamond several times at the Greek Theater in LA when he was at his peak.  I was there the night that Hot August Night was recorded.  

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I am very jealous!  What an experience that must have been!

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I saw him while still in HS, at The Troubador in LA. He’d had a couple of big hits but wasn’t Legend status yet. At that time, the venue probably didn’t even hold the 500 people it does now, so it was nicely intimate for someone who later filled up stadiums, the Greek and the Bowl.

[4Kicks]

He likely has had it for quite some time as it is very difficult to diagnose for some. It is a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning doctors go only by symptoms and rule other things out. Some get the classic symptoms and some do not.

For approximately three years now my DH has had some of the symptoms of Parkinson's, so is taking the medication for it. It is difficult to diagnose, although his voice changed in a drastic way about five years ago. That may have happened to Neil Diamond also. Very, very sad.

[Snoopp]

@4Kicks I was thinking his voice might have gotten too soft and singing might be impossible now.  

[Leeny]

@Shorty2U

Yes, I heard this on the radio this morning. I am truly saddened to hear this. I've been a huge Neil Diamond fan for over 50 years. Back in the 60's thru now. I never got to see him perform in concert and that was always a dream of mine. I guess that will have to be taken out of my bucket list. At least he's still going to write and record as was mentioned on the radio, this was spoken from his wife. 

I always felt he was one of the best song writers' and vocalist. I own a ton of his albums. I am glad I never got rid of them.

[Shawnie]

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@NicksmomESQ wrote:

 Neil Diamond is one of my favorites.He is such a wonderful performer & songwriter.He wrote many hit songs for himself & other artists.

 Another thing I greatly admired about him was his loving & giving heart.Neil always gave back in appreciation for all he was blessed to have.He did it anonymously, although often times he was outed. 

  A few years back he was performing somewhere in the south.He learned about a fundraiser the next town over for a couple of local families who lost their homes to a fire.He showed up “incognito” & sat in the back. After he left he donated the exact amount of money needed to rebuild the homes.He has also sent countless kids to college & paid medical bills for others.

 Neil Diamond.Singer,songwriter,storyteller & humanitarian! Thanks for the memories. 

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In the mid 1970s I was so taken with him.  Everyone knew it when I went to his concert.  Was working in Tyler, Texas after I believe a concert in Ft Worth.  Anyway on the job an individual called me to his office and said I understand you like ND.  I said yes, and he began to show me pictures of ND, the band, at his house.  I almost passed out.  Turns out his son was the guitarist.  This man told me the kindest story about how ND hired his son and how well ND  took care of his band and crew.  Like BonJovi he is the real deal!