Full History Of Neil Diamond In Timeline From 1917

1917: Birth of Akeeba "Kieve" Diamond

Neil Diamond's father, Akeeba "Kieve" Diamond, was born in 1917.

1918: Birth of Rose Rapoport (Neil Diamond's Mother)

Rose Rapoport, who would become Neil Diamond's mother, was born in 1918.

January 24, 1941: Birth of Neil Diamond

Neil Leslie Diamond was born on January 24, 1941. He would become a renowned American singer-songwriter.

1960: NCAA Men's Championship Fencing Team Victory

In 1960, Neil Diamond was part of the New York University fencing team that won the NCAA men's championship.

1962: Debut as "Neil and Jack" and Solo Signing

Neil Diamond's musical journey took significant steps in 1962. He debuted as part of the duo "Neil and Jack," releasing singles that received positive reviews but limited commercial success. Later that year, he signed with Columbia Records as a solo artist.

July 1963: Release of "Clown Town" / "At Night"

July 1963 marked the release of "Clown Town" / "At Night," Neil Diamond's single with Columbia Records. Despite positive reviews, it didn't achieve chart success, leading to his departure from the label.

1963: Neil Diamond Marries Jaye Posner

Neil Diamond married his high school sweetheart, Jaye Posner, in 1963. She had pursued a career as a schoolteacher. They went on to have two daughters, Marjorie and Elyn.

November 1965: Success as a Songwriter

November 1965 marked a turning point for Diamond as a songwriter when "Sunday and Me," performed by Jay and the Americans, became a Top 20 hit, launching his successful songwriting career.

1966: Signing with Bang Records and Early Concerts

A pivotal year, 1966 saw Diamond sign with Bang Records and begin performing live, often opening for popular bands like Herman's Hermits and The Who, where he experienced the raw energy of their performances.

1966: "I'm a Believer" Achieves Gold Status

Diamond's "I'm a Believer," performed by The Monkees, quickly achieved gold record status in 1966, solidifying his reputation as a hit songwriter.

1967: Neil Diamond Appears on "Mannix"

In 1967, Neil Diamond appeared as the featured artist in an episode of the detective drama "Mannix." He performed at a fictional underground club called 'The Bad Scene,' adding a musical element to the show.

1967: Neil Diamond Separates From Jaye Posner

Neil Diamond and Jaye Posner separated in 1967 after four years of marriage.

March 1968: Signing with Uni Records

March 1968 marked a new chapter in Diamond's career as he signed with Uni Records, seeking more creative freedom for his evolving musical style.

1968: Artistic Shift and Dissatisfaction with Bang Records

Diamond's artistic aspirations grew in 1968, leading to dissatisfaction with Bang Records' desire for simpler pop songs. His push for more introspective tracks like "Shilo" created conflict with the label.

December 5, 1969: Neil Diamond Marries Marcia Murphey

On December 5, 1969, Neil Diamond married Marcia Murphey, a production assistant. They had two sons together, Jesse and Michah.

1969: Move to Los Angeles and Musical Transition

Neil Diamond relocated to Los Angeles in mid-1969, marking a period where his music took on a mellower tone. Hits from this era include "Sweet Caroline" and "Holly Holy".

1969: Neil Diamond and Jaye Posner Divorce

Neil Diamond and Jaye Posner officially divorced in 1969, two years after their separation.

1969: Recording "Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show"

Diamond recorded the album "Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show" at the renowned American Sound Studios in Memphis in early 1969, working with producers Tommy Cogbill and Chips Moman.

1969: Release of "Sweet Caroline"

Neil Diamond released "Sweet Caroline" in 1969.

1970: Chart-topping Success with "Cracklin' Rosie"

Diamond achieved a significant career milestone in 1970 when his single "Cracklin' Rosie" reached the No. 1 spot on the Hot 100 music chart.

1971: Release of "I Am...I Said" and Personal Revelation

Diamond released "I Am...I Said" in 1971, a song that reached the top 5 in both the US and UK charts and was noted for its deeply personal lyrics, reflecting a significant period of introspection for the artist.

1971: Triumphant Concerts at the Greek Theater

Neil Diamond solidified his superstar status in 1971 with a string of seven sold-out performances at the renowned Greek Theater in Los Angeles, a venue known for hosting top-tier musical talent.

August 1972: Ten-Show Run at the Greek Theater

Building on his previous success, Diamond returned to the Greek Theater for an extended run of ten shows in August 1972, further cementing his popularity.

August 24, 1972: Recording of the Legendary "Hot August Night" Album

On August 24, 1972, one of Diamond's performances at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles was recorded and released as the live double album, "Hot August Night". This album would go on to be considered one of his most iconic works.

1972: "Song Sung Blue" Hits Number One

Continuing his successful streak, Diamond's song "Song Sung Blue" topped the Hot 100 chart in 1972.

1972: Historic Residency at the Winter Garden Theater

In a testament to his enduring appeal, Diamond held a series of 20 consecutive concerts at New York City's Winter Garden Theater in the fall of 1972, marking the first time a single artist had headlined the venue since Al Jolson in the 1930s.

1973: Return to Columbia Records and "Jonathan Livingston Seagull" Soundtrack

Diamond returned to Columbia Records in 1973 with a lucrative contract and embarked on a new project – composing and recording the soundtrack for the film adaptation of "Jonathan Livingston Seagull".

1974: Release of "Serenade" and Television Duet with Shirley Bassey

Diamond released his album "Serenade" in 1974, which featured the singles "Longfellow Serenade" and "I've Been This Way Before". That same year, he shared the screen with renowned vocalist Shirley Bassey for a special television duet.

July 2, 1976: Grand Opening of the Aladdin Theatre for the Performing Arts

In a testament to his star power, Diamond was chosen to inaugurate the brand-new, $10 million Theater for the Performing Arts at the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas on July 2, 1976. The opening night attracted a constellation of Hollywood A-listers, marking a triumphant return to live performances for Diamond.

1976: Incorporation of "Jonathan Livingston Seagull" Suite in Concerts

In 1976, Diamond began incorporating a suite from his "Jonathan Livingston Seagull" score into his live performances, including his show at the Greek Theater and a performance in Las Vegas.

1976: Return to Live Performances after a Four-Year Hiatus

After a four-year break from touring, Diamond made his highly anticipated return to the stage in 1976. This period allowed him to focus on personal life and creative pursuits, including composing for film.

1976: Australian Tour and "Love at the Greek" Concert

Diamond marked his return to touring with a special "Thank You Australia" concert broadcast across the country. The same year, he held another memorable performance titled "Love at the Greek" at the Greek Theater.

1976: Release of "Beautiful Noise" and Appearance at "The Last Waltz"

1976 saw the release of Diamond's album "Beautiful Noise," produced by Robbie Robertson of The Band. Furthermore, Diamond made a special appearance at The Band's farewell concert, "The Last Waltz", performing "Dry Your Eyes" alongside the group and participating in a memorable rendition of Bob Dylan's "I Shall Be Released" with the entire ensemble.

February 1977: Victory in Lawsuit and Rights to Master Tapes

After years of legal battles, February 1977 brought victory for Diamond as he won the rights to his Bang-era master tapes, giving him control over his early music.

July 2, 1977: Concert at Woburn Abbey

Diamond performed for a massive crowd of 55,000 fans at Woburn Abbey, further solidifying his global stardom. The concert was filmed by acclaimed director William Friedkin, capturing the energy and spectacle of the event.

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 featured the hit song "You Don't Bring Me Flowers."

1978: "You Don't Bring Me Flowers" Hits Number One

Neil Diamond's duet with Barbra Streisand, "You Don't Bring Me Flowers," reached number one on the charts in 1978. This marked his third song to achieve this milestone.

February 1979: Release of "Forever in Blue Jeans"

In February 1979, Neil Diamond released the single "Forever in Blue Jeans" from his previous year's album. The song was co-written and composed with his guitarist, Richard Bennett.

1979: Collapse and Health Scare

Neil Diamond experienced a health scare in 1979 when he collapsed on stage and underwent a 12-hour surgery to remove a tumor on his spine.

1980: Recovery and Film Debut

Following his recovery from surgery, Neil Diamond began working on his first film, "The Jazz Singer," in 1980.

1980: Diamond's Film Debut

In 1980, Neil Diamond made his screen debut in the musical drama film "The Jazz Singer".

1980: Release of "The Jazz Singer" and its Soundtrack

In 1980, Neil Diamond starred in the remake of the film "The Jazz Singer." Although the film received poor reviews, its soundtrack, which featured songs like "Love on the Rocks," "Hello Again," and "America," was a success.

1980: Surprise Grammy Performance

Neil Diamond and Barbra Streisand surprised the audience with a performance of "You Don't Bring Me Flowers" at the 1980 Grammy Awards ceremony.

1982: Release of "Heartlight"

Neil Diamond's song "Heartlight," released in 1982, was inspired by the movie "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial." This inspiration led to brief legal threats from Universal Pictures, who owned the rights to the movie.

1984: Inducted into Songwriters Hall of Fame

Neil Diamond was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1984.

1985: Death of Akeeba "Kieve" Diamond

Akeeba "Kieve" Diamond, Neil Diamond's father, passed away in 1985.

1986: Release of "Headed for the Future" and Television Special

In 1986, Neil Diamond released his 17th studio album, "Headed for the Future," which reached number 20 on the Billboard 200. He also starred in his first television special in nine years, "Hello Again," which featured comedy sketches and a duet with Carol Burnett.

January 1987: National Anthem Performance

Neil Diamond sang the National Anthem at the Super Bowl in January 1987.

1988: "America" as Campaign Song and "Red Red Wine" Cover

Neil Diamond's song "America" was used as the theme song for Michael Dukakis's 1988 presidential campaign. In the same year, the band UB40 released a reggae version of Diamond's "Red Red Wine," which became more popular than the original.

1992: Performance at Christmas in Washington

In 1992, Neil Diamond performed at President George H.W. Bush's final Christmas in Washington NBC special.

1993: Opening Act at the Mark of the Quad Cities

Neil Diamond was the opening act at the Mark of the Quad Cities (now the iWireless Center) in 1993, performing two shows to a crowd of over 27,000 people.

1994: Neil Diamond and Marcia Murphey's Marriage Ends

Neil Diamond and Marcia Murphey's marriage ended in 1994 after 25 years together.

1995: Neil Diamond and Marcia Murphey's Marriage Ends

Neil Diamond and Marcia Murphey's marriage ended in 1995 after 26 years together.

1996: Neil Diamond Begins Relationship with Rae Farley

Neil Diamond embarked on a new relationship with Rae Farley, whom he met in Brisbane, Australia, in 1996. During this time, Diamond drew inspiration from his personal struggles with chronic back pain while writing and composing songs for his album "Home Before Dark."

1999: Consolidation of MCA Labels

In 1999, MCA Inc., the parent company of Uni Records, consolidated its various record labels into MCA Records, later renamed Universal Music after merging with PolyGram.

2000: Remastering and Re-release of "Hot August Night"

Recognizing the enduring appeal of "Hot August Night", the album was remastered and re-released in 2000, introducing the live recording to a new generation of fans.

2000: Neil Diamond Surprises Super Diamond Tribute Band

In a heartwarming gesture, Neil Diamond surprised the Diamond tribute band, Super Diamond, during their show at the House of Blues in Los Angeles in 2000. His surprise appearance delighted both the band and the audience.

2000: Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award

In recognition of his significant contributions to songwriting, Neil Diamond received the Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award in 2000.

September 11, 2001: "America" as Anthem After 9/11

Following the September 11 attacks, Neil Diamond's song "America" took on a new meaning and became an anthem of his world tour. He notably changed the lyrics at the end of the song from "They're coming to America" to "Stand up for America!"

2001: Neil Diamond Cameos in "Saving Silverman"

Neil Diamond made a cameo appearance as himself in the 2001 comedy "Saving Silverman," which revolved around a Diamond cover band. He further contributed to the film by writing and composing the song "I Believe in Happy Endings." Diamond also joined the tribute band Super Diamond at the film's premiere party.

November 8, 2005: Release of "12 Songs"

Neil Diamond released his album "12 Songs" on November 8, 2005. The album, produced by Rick Rubin, was released in two editions and debuted at number four on the Billboard chart.

2007: End of an Era: Bill Whitten Stops Designing Diamond's Shirts

After three decades, Bill Whitten, the designer behind Diamond's signature colorful stage shirts, stopped creating for the artist around 2007.

2007: Revelation of "Sweet Caroline" Inspiration

In 2007, Diamond revealed that Caroline Kennedy, whom he saw in Life magazine, was the inspiration behind his hit song "Sweet Caroline".

2007: Induction into Long Island Music Hall of Fame

Neil Diamond was inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame in 2007.

March 19, 2008: Guest Mentor on American Idol

Neil Diamond appeared as a guest mentor on the television show "American Idol" on March 19, 2008, where he mentored the remaining contestants who would be singing his songs for the upcoming episodes.

April 8, 2008: Fenway Park Concert Announcement

On April 8, 2008, Neil Diamond surprised fans with a big-screen announcement at Fenway Park that he would be performing a concert there on August 23, 2008, as a part of his world tour.

April 28, 2008: Appearance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!"

Neil Diamond made an appearance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" on April 28, 2008, where he sang "Sweet Caroline" after Kimmel, who had been impersonating him, was jokingly "arrested."

May 2, 2008: Launch of Neil Diamond Radio

Sirius Satellite Radio launched Neil Diamond Radio on May 2, 2008.

May 6, 2008: Release of "Home Before Dark"

Neil Diamond released his album "Home Before Dark" on May 6, 2008. The album topped music charts in New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

June 29, 2008: Concert of a Lifetime Tour at Glastonbury Festival

On June 29, 2008, Neil Diamond performed at the Glastonbury Festival in Somerset, England, for an estimated 108,000 fans as part of his Concert of a Lifetime Tour, although technical issues affected the performance.

August 23, 2008: Fenway Park Concert

As announced previously, Neil Diamond performed a concert at Fenway Park on August 23, 2008, as part of his world tour.

August 25, 2008: Performance at The Ohio State University

On August 25, 2008, Neil Diamond's performance at The Ohio State University was impacted by his laryngitis, leading to disappointment for both him and his fans and prompting him to offer refunds.

February 6, 2009: MusiCares Person of the Year Honor

Neil Diamond was honored as the MusiCares Person of the Year on February 6, 2009.

July 4, 2009: Performance at Boston's Independence Day Celebration

A testament to his popularity in Boston, Neil Diamond was invited to perform at the city's Independence Day celebration on July 4, 2009.

October 13, 2009: Release of "A Cherry Cherry Christmas"

On October 13, 2009, Neil Diamond released his third holiday album, "A Cherry Cherry Christmas."

2009: Release of "Hot August Night/NYC" DVD

In 2009, Neil Diamond released "Hot August Night/NYC," a DVD of his four-night run at Madison Square Garden, which debuted at No. 2 on the charts. A CBS broadcast of an edited version garnered 13 million viewers and led to a surge in DVD sales.

November 2, 2010: Release of "Dreams" Album

Neil Diamond released "Dreams" on November 2, 2010, an album featuring his interpretations of favorite songs from the rock era, including a new arrangement of his hit, "I'm a Believer."

March 14, 2011: Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Neil Diamond was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on March 14, 2011.

September 7, 2011: Neil Diamond Announces Engagement to Katie McNeil

On September 7, 2011, Neil Diamond, then 70 years old, shared the news of his engagement to 41-year-old Katie McNeil via Twitter.

December 6, 2011: Release of "The Very Best of Neil Diamond"

A compilation album spanning Neil Diamond's career, "The Very Best of Neil Diamond," was released by Sony Legacy on December 6, 2011.

2011: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction and Kennedy Center Honors

A momentous year for Diamond, 2011 saw him inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and honored at the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors.

August 10, 2012: Hollywood Walk of Fame Star

On August 10, 2012, Neil Diamond received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

November 2012: Performance at the Royal Variety Performance and Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

In November 2012, Neil Diamond headlined the centenary edition of the Royal Variety Performance in the UK. He also appeared in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade that year.

2012: Neil Diamond Marries Katie McNeil

Neil Diamond and Katie McNeil exchanged vows in a private ceremony in Los Angeles in 2012, surrounded by their closest family and friends. In addition to being his wife, McNeil took on the role of Diamond's manager and produced the documentary "Neil Diamond: Hot August Nights NYC."

April 20, 2013: Surprise Appearance at Fenway Park

Neil Diamond made a surprise appearance at Fenway Park on April 20, 2013, singing "Sweet Caroline" during the 8th inning of the first game since the Boston Marathon bombing.

July 4, 2013: Performance at A Capitol Fourth and Release of "Freedom Song (They'll Never Take Us Down)"

On July 4, 2013, Neil Diamond performed live at the U.S. Capitol for the nationally broadcast "A Capitol Fourth" special. This followed his July 2 release of the single, "Freedom Song (They'll Never Take Us Down)", from which all proceeds were donated to One Fund Boston and the Wounded Warrior Project.

January 2014: Signing with Capitol Music Group

In January 2014, Neil Diamond signed with Capitol Music Group, a unit of Universal Music Group, consolidating all of his recorded work under one label.

July 8, 2014: Announcement of "Melody Road" Album

Capitol Records announced Neil Diamond's album "Melody Road," produced by Don Was and Jacknife Lee, on July 8, 2014.

September 2014: Surprise Concert at Erasmus High School and Announcement of "Melody Road" World Tour

Neil Diamond performed a surprise concert at his alma mater, Erasmus High School in Brooklyn, in September 2014. The same day, he announced his 2015 "Melody Road" World Tour.

September 30, 2014: Initial Release Date for "Melody Road"

September 30, 2014, was the initial planned release date for Neil Diamond's "Melody Road" album, later changed to October 21.

2014: Revised Account of "Sweet Caroline" Inspiration

Diamond offered a different account of the inspiration for "Sweet Caroline" in 2014, stating on the Today show that the song was initially intended for his then-wife, Marcia.

2014: Neil Diamond Releases "Melody Road," Inspired by Relationship

Neil Diamond's 2014 album, "Melody Road," was deeply inspired by his relationship with Katie McNeil, showcasing the influence of their bond on his music.

May 31, 2015: Conclusion of "Melody Road" North American Tour

Neil Diamond concluded the North American leg of his "Melody Road" World Tour on May 31, 2015, in Denver, Colorado.

October 2016: Release of "Acoustic Christmas"

Neil Diamond released "Acoustic Christmas," a folk-inspired Christmas album, in October 2016. The album, produced by Don Was and Jacknife Lee, featured original songs and acoustic renditions of holiday classics.

March 2017: Release of "Neil Diamond 50 - 50th Anniversary Collection" and Start of 50 Year Anniversary World Tour

March 2017 saw the release of Neil Diamond's anthology, "Neil Diamond 50 - 50th Anniversary Collection." The following month, he embarked on his final concert tour, the 50 Year Anniversary World Tour, beginning in Fresno, California.

January 2018: Neil Diamond Announces Retirement From Touring Due to Parkinson's Disease

In January 2018, Neil Diamond announced his retirement from touring after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, leading to the cancellation of tour dates in Australia and New Zealand for his "50 Year Anniversary World Tour." He reassured fans that he was not retiring from music altogether and would continue working on new projects.

July 28, 2018: Neil Diamond Surprises Firefighters With Concert

On July 28, 2018, Neil Diamond and his wife Katie McNeil showed their appreciation for the firefighters battling the Lake Christine Fire in Colorado. They made a surprise visit to the Incident Command post in Basalt and Diamond performed a solo acoustic guitar concert, thanking them for their efforts in containing the wildfire.

2018: Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award

Neil Diamond's illustrious career was further cemented in 2018 when he received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

2019: "Sweet Caroline" Inducted into the National Recording Registry

Neil Diamond's 1969 hit "Sweet Caroline" was selected for preservation in the Library of Congress's National Recording Registry in 2019.

2019: Death of Rose Diamond

Neil Diamond's mother, Rose Diamond, passed away in 2019.

March 7, 2020: Performance at Keep Memory Alive Power of Love Gala

Despite his retirement due to Parkinson's disease, Neil Diamond gave a rare performance at the Keep Memory Alive Power of Love Gala on March 7, 2020, where he was also honored.

March 22, 2020: "Sweet Caroline" COVID-19 Video

On March 22, 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Neil Diamond posted a video to YouTube of himself performing "Sweet Caroline" with revised lyrics promoting social distancing.

April 2021: Announcement of "A Beautiful Noise" Musical

The New York Times reported in April 2021 that "A Beautiful Noise," a musical about Neil Diamond's life and music, would premiere at Boston's Emerson Colonial Theater in the summer of 2022, with a Broadway run to follow.

February 2022: Universal Music Group Acquires Neil Diamond's Catalog

Universal Music Group acquired Neil Diamond's entire songwriting catalog and the rights to his recordings in February 2022. The acquisition includes previously unreleased material and archival videos.

June 18, 2022: Performance of "Sweet Caroline" at Fenway Park

Neil Diamond made a surprise appearance at Fenway Park on June 18, 2022, to sing "Sweet Caroline" during the 8th inning, joined by actor Will Swenson, who portrays him in the musical "A Beautiful Noise."

2022: Planned Broadway Debut of "A Beautiful Noise"

Following its Boston premiere in the summer of 2022, "A Beautiful Noise," the Neil Diamond musical, was scheduled to open on Broadway.

2023: (Not applicable to the date provided)

(Not applicable to the date provided)