January 24
DIAMOND DAY
The lights dimmed, the crowd was hushed, the stage was laden with floral gifts, and the music played. Do you hear it babe? It was Neil. It was a Beautiful Noise. It made me feel good, If You Know What I Mean. He sang Yesterday’s Songs, with the words that say the songs just don’t stay around long. Not true when it comes to Neil Diamond songs. Neil Diamond started singing and writing songs while a young premed student. He was born on this day in 1941.
A song titled Sunday & Me was his first hit [1965]. He wrote it for Jay and The Americans; then I’m a Believer and A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You followed for the Monkees [1966].
Neil wrote and wrote and sang and sang: 36 hits for you and me to remember from 1966 through 1983; the first, Cherry, Cherry; three #1 smash hits, Cracklin’ Rosie [1970], Song Sung Blue [1972], and You Don’t Bring Me Flowers with Barbra Streisand [1978].
By 1973, Neil Diamond had gone from being a poor premed student to composing soundtracks for seven figures (Jonathan Livingston Seagull and The Jazz Singer, in which he also starred and which also yielded three hits: America, Love on the Rocks and Hello, Again).
Since 2002,singing Sweet Caroline before the Red Sox 8th innings, the crowds at Boston's Fenway Park show the love for Neil Diamond, just as all audiences at his live concerts did -- Hands touching hands, reaching out, touching me, touching you.
Yes, the music of Neil Diamond touches us and is everlasting poetry, Longfellow Serenade.
Two days before his birthday in 2018, Neil Diamond announced that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and cancelled his 50th Anniversary Tour. The live concerts have ended but continue in our minds, Forever in Blue Jeans.
Said Neil Diamond, I am very happy to be here and people still know who I am. Sang Neil, I Am, I Said.
And, now we sing to you, Neil Diamond: HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Those Were the Days, the Today in History service from 440 International
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