Neil Diamond's Success and Achievements in Timeline
A closer look at the biggest achievements of Neil Diamond. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.
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.
1960: NCAA Fencing Champion
In 1960, Neil Diamond was a member of the NCAA men's championship fencing team at New York University.
February 1977: Triumph in Court
In February 1977, Neil Diamond triumphed in court and purchased the rights to his Bang-era master tapes.
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.
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.
1984: Inducted into Songwriters Hall of Fame
In 1984, Neil Diamond was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
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.
2000: Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award
In 2000, Neil Diamond received the Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award.
2007: Induction into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame
In 2007, Neil Diamond was inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame.
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.
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.
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.
2011: Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Kennedy Center Honors
In 2011, Neil Diamond was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and was an honoree at the Kennedy Center Honors.
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.
2018: Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award
In 2018, Neil Diamond received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
2019: "Sweet Caroline" selected for preservation
In 2019, Neil Diamond's 1969 signature song "Sweet Caroline" was selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the National Recording Registry for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".
March 7, 2020: Performance at Keep Memory Alive Gala
Despite his retirement due to Parkinson's disease, on March 7, 2020, Neil Diamond gave a rare performance at the Keep Memory Alive Power of Love Gala in Las Vegas, where he was being honored.
