Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Neil Diamond
From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Neil Diamond made an impact.
Neil Diamond is a highly successful American singer-songwriter, celebrated for his prolific career and impressive record sales, exceeding 130 million worldwide. His contributions have firmly established him as one of the best-selling musicians of all time.
1962: First Recording Contracts
In 1962, Neil Diamond signed his first recording contracts billed as "Neil and Jack" with high school friend Jack Packer. He also signed with Columbia Records as a solo performer.
July 1963: Columbia releases "Clown Town"
In July 1963, Columbia Records released Neil Diamond's single "Clown Town" / "At Night"; although receiving positive reviews, it failed to make the charts.
November 1965: "Sunday and Me" success
In November 1965, Neil Diamond had his first success as a songwriter with "Sunday and Me", a Top 20 hit for Jay and the Americans.
1966: "I'm a Believer" Success
In 1966, "I'm a Believer" became a gold record within two days of its release and stayed at the top of the charts for seven weeks, making it the Popular Music Song of the Year.
1966: Signed with Bang Records
In 1966, Neil Diamond signed a deal with Bert Berns's Bang Records and released "Solitary Man", his first true hit as a solo artist.
March 1968: Signed with Uni Records
In March 1968, Neil Diamond signed a deal with Uni Records.
1968: Desire for Introspective Music
Starting in 1968, Neil Diamond began to feel restricted by Bang Records because he wanted to record more ambitious, introspective music, such as "Brooklyn Roads".
1969: Release of "Sweet Caroline"
In 1969, Neil Diamond released his signature song, "Sweet Caroline".
1969: Early 1969 follow-up album
In early 1969, Neil Diamond recorded the follow-up album Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show.
1969: Move to Los Angeles
In mid 1969, Neil Diamond moved to Los Angeles and his sound mellowed.
1970: "Cracklin' Rosie" Success
In 1970, Neil Diamond released "Cracklin' Rosie" which reached No. 1 on the Hot 100.
1971: Greek Theater Concerts
In 1971, Neil Diamond played seven sold-out concerts at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles.
1971: "I Am...I Said" Release
In 1971, Neil Diamond released "I Am...I Said" which was a Top 5 hit in both the US and UK.
August 1972: Greek Theater Shows
In August 1972, Neil Diamond played ten shows at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles.
August 24, 1972: Recorded Hot August Night
The performance of August 24, 1972, at the Greek Theater was recorded and released as the live double album Hot August Night.
1972: "Song Sung Blue" Success
In 1972, Neil Diamond released "Song Sung Blue" which reached No. 1 on the Hot 100.
1972: Winter Garden Theater Performances
In the fall of 1972, Neil Diamond performed for 20 consecutive nights at the Winter Garden Theater in New York City.
1973: Switched to Columbia Records
In 1973, Neil Diamond switched labels again, returning to Columbia Records for a million-dollar-advance-per-album contract.
1974: Release of the album Serenade
In 1974, Neil Diamond released the album Serenade, featuring the singles "Longfellow Serenade" and "I've Been This Way Before".
1976: Return to Live Performances
After a four-year break, Neil Diamond returned to live performances in 1976.
1976: Release of the album Beautiful Noise
In 1976, Neil Diamond released the album Beautiful Noise, produced by Robbie Robertson of The Band.
1976: Australian Tour and Greek Theater Concert
In 1976, Neil Diamond returned to live shows with an Australian tour, "The 'Thank You Australia' Concert", and appeared at the Greek Theater in the Love at the Greek concert.
1976: Appearance at The Last Waltz
On Thanksgiving in 1976, Neil Diamond appeared at The Band's farewell concert, The Last Waltz, performing "Dry Your Eyes" and joining the ensemble for "I Shall Be Released".
February 1977: Triumph in Court
In February 1977, Neil Diamond triumphed in court and purchased the rights to his Bang-era master tapes.
July 2, 1977: Performance at Woburn Abbey
On July 2, 1977, Neil Diamond performed at Woburn Abbey to an audience of 55,000 British fans. The concert was filmed by William Friedkin.
1977: Release of "I'm Glad You're Here with Me Tonight"
In 1977, Neil Diamond released the album I'm Glad You're Here with Me Tonight, which included "You Don't Bring Me Flowers", a collaboration with Alan and Marilyn Bergman.
1978: "You Don't Bring Me Flowers" hits No. 1
In 1978, the Neil Diamond-Barbra Streisand duet of "You Don't Bring Me Flowers" reached No. 1 on the Hot 100, becoming Diamond's third song to top the chart.
February 1979: Release of "Forever in Blue Jeans"
In February 1979, "Forever in Blue Jeans", co-written with Richard Bennett, was released as a single from Neil Diamond's previous album, You Don't Bring Me Flowers.
1980: Unannounced Grammy performance
In 1980, Neil Diamond and Barbra Streisand made an unannounced appearance at the Grammy Awards ceremony, performing "You Don't Bring Me Flowers" together.
1980: Filming The Jazz Singer
In 1980, Neil Diamond began principal photography on his film The Jazz Singer, following a long rehabilitation process after his surgery.
1980: Starring in The Jazz Singer remake
In 1980, Neil Diamond starred in a remake of The Jazz Singer alongside Laurence Olivier and Lucie Arnaz, despite initial plans for a film version of "You Don't Bring Me Flowers" with Barbra Streisand.
1982: Inspiration for "Heartlight" from E.T.
In 1982, Neil Diamond's song "Heartlight" was inspired by the movie E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, leading to a brief legal threat from Universal Pictures.
1986: Ranked most profitable solo performer
In 1986, Billboard magazine ranked Neil Diamond as the most profitable solo performer of the year, even as his record sales declined.
1986: Release of Headed for the Future and TV special
In 1986, Neil Diamond released his 17th studio album, Headed for the Future, and starred in his first television special in nine years, Hello Again, featuring comedy sketches and a duo medley with Carol Burnett.
January 1987: Singing the national anthem at Super Bowl
In January 1987, Neil Diamond sang the national anthem at the Super Bowl.
1988: "America" used in Dukakis campaign
In 1988, Neil Diamond's "America" became the theme song for Michael Dukakis' presidential campaign.
1993: Opening of the Mark of the Quad Cities
In 1993, Neil Diamond opened the Mark of the Quad Cities with two shows on May 27 and 28, drawing over 27,000 people.
2000: Hot August Night Remastered
In 2000, the album Hot August Night was remastered with additional selections.
September 11, 2001: Changing "America" lyrics after 9/11
On September 11, 2001, after the attacks on America, Neil Diamond changed the lyric at the end of his song, 'America', from "They're coming to America" to "Stand up for America!".
2001: Cameo in Saving Silverman
In 2001, Neil Diamond made a cameo appearance as himself in the comedy film Saving Silverman, also writing and composing a new song for the film.
November 8, 2005: Release of 12 Songs album
On November 8, 2005, Neil Diamond released the Rick Rubin-produced album 12 Songs, which debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard chart and received positive reviews.
2007: Induction into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame
In 2007, Neil Diamond was inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame.
March 19, 2008: Announcement as American Idol guest mentor
On March 19, 2008, it was announced that Neil Diamond would be a guest mentor on American Idol, with contestants singing his songs.
April 8, 2008: Fenway Park concert announcement
On April 8, 2008, Neil Diamond made a surprise announcement at Fenway Park that he would be performing there in concert on August 23.
April 28, 2008: Performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live
On April 28, 2008, Neil Diamond appeared on the roof of the Jimmy Kimmel building to sing "Sweet Caroline" after Kimmel was "arrested" for impersonating him.
April 30, 2008: Premier of "Pretty Amazing Grace" on American Idol
On April 30, 2008, Neil Diamond premiered a new song, "Pretty Amazing Grace", from his album Home Before Dark on American Idol.
May 2, 2008: Launch of Neil Diamond Radio
On May 2, 2008, Sirius Satellite Radio launched Neil Diamond Radio.
May 6, 2008: Release of Home Before Dark
On May 6, 2008, Neil Diamond's album Home Before Dark was released and topped album charts in New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
June 29, 2008: Performance at Glastonbury Festival
On June 29, 2008, Neil Diamond played to approximately 108,000 fans at the Glastonbury Festival in Somerset, England, though the concert was marred by technical problems.
August 23, 2008: Performance at Fenway Park
On August 23, 2008, as part of his world tour, Neil Diamond performed at Fenway Park.
August 25, 2008: Performance at The Ohio State University
On August 25, 2008, Neil Diamond performed at The Ohio State University while suffering from laryngitis, offering refunds to disappointed fans.
February 6, 2009: Honored as MusiCares Person of the Year
On February 6, 2009, Neil Diamond was honored as the MusiCares Person of the Year.
July 4, 2009: Performance at Independence Day celebration in Boston
On July 4, 2009, Neil Diamond was invited to sing at the Independence Day celebration in Boston.
October 13, 2009: Release of A Cherry Cherry Christmas
On October 13, 2009, Neil Diamond released A Cherry Cherry Christmas, his third album of holiday music.
November 2, 2010: Release of the album Dreams
On November 2, 2010, Neil Diamond released the album Dreams, which featured interpretations of his favorite songs by other artists.
March 14, 2011: Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
On March 14, 2011, Neil Diamond was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
December 6, 2011: Release of The Very Best of Neil Diamond compilation CD
On December 6, 2011, The Very Best of Neil Diamond, a compilation CD of Diamond's recordings, was released on the Sony Legacy label.
August 10, 2012: Receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
On August 10, 2012, Neil Diamond received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
November 2012: Headlining the Royal Variety Performance
In November 2012, Neil Diamond headlined the centenary edition of the Royal Variety Performance in the UK.
April 20, 2013: Unannounced performance at Fenway Park
On April 20, 2013, Neil Diamond made an unannounced appearance at Fenway Park to sing "Sweet Caroline" during the 8th inning, the first game after the Boston Marathon bombing.
July 4, 2013: Performance at A Capitol Fourth
On July 4, 2013, Neil Diamond performed live on the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol as part of A Capitol Fourth, broadcast nationally by PBS.
January 2014: Signing with Capitol Music Group
In January 2014, Neil Diamond signed with the Capitol Music Group, consolidating all of his recorded output under Universal Music Group.
July 8, 2014: Capitol Records Announces New Album
On July 8, 2014, Capitol Records announced the upcoming release of Neil Diamond's album, "Melody Road," via a flyer included with his greatest hits compilation. The album was scheduled to be released on September 30, 2014.
September 2014: Surprise Concert at Erasmus High School and World Tour Announcement
In September 2014, Neil Diamond performed a surprise concert at his alma mater, Erasmus High School in Brooklyn. On the same day in September 2014, he announced his 2015 "Melody Road" World Tour.
September 30, 2014: Original Release Date of Melody Road
September 30, 2014 was the original release date announced for Neil Diamond's album "Melody Road", before it was later moved to October 21.
2014: Melody Road Fueled by Relationship
Neil Diamond stated that his 2014 album, Melody Road, was fueled by his relationship with Katie McNeil.
October 2016: Release of Acoustic Christmas Album
In October 2016, Neil Diamond released "Acoustic Christmas", a folk-inspired Christmas album featuring original songs and acoustic versions of holiday classics.
March 2017: Release of 50th Anniversary Collection
In March 2017, the career-spanning anthology "Neil Diamond 50 – 50th Anniversary Collection" was released.
January 2018: Announcement of Retirement From Touring
In January 2018, Neil Diamond announced that he would stop touring after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, but would continue writing and recording.
March 22, 2020: Posts "Sweet Caroline" Video
On March 22, 2020, Neil Diamond posted a video to YouTube playing "Sweet Caroline" with modified lyrics related to social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
April 2021: Announcement of A Beautiful Noise musical
In April 2021, it was reported that A Beautiful Noise, a musical based on Neil Diamond's life, would open in Boston in the summer of 2022, with plans for a Broadway run.
February 2022: Universal Music Group Acquires Diamond's Catalog
In February 2022, Universal Music Group acquired Neil Diamond's songwriting catalog and rights to his recordings from Bang Records, Columbia Records, and Capitol Records.
2022: Planned Debut of Musical
In 2022, A Beautiful Noise, a musical based on Neil Diamond's life was scheduled to open at the Emerson Colonial Theater in Boston during the summer.
