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5 Reasons Why...Neil Diamond Will Always Rock...Softly

Posted Wed Jun 25, 2008 10:59pm PDT by Gil Kaufman in GetBack

1) He's Seen 100 Million Faces...And Rocked Them All

Diamond's sold more than 100 million albums over the past 40+ years, but the bespangled man they call The Basher notched his first #1 in May of 2008 with his second Rick Rubin-produced return to form, Home Before Dark.

 

 

2) All the Cool Kids Are Obsessed With Him

He might seem square to you, but some of the coolest people you know have total man crushes on him. Cases in point: Quentin Tarantino used a cover of “Girl, You’ll Be A Woman Soon” in Pulp Fiction, Johnny Cash covered “Solitary Man,” and hip French DJ duo Justice walk onstage to the strains of “Sweet Caroline.” Oh, and he performed at The Band’s Last Waltz

 

 

3) Caroline-a on Our Minds, All the Time

Speaking of good ole “Sweet Caroline,” everyone you know has warbled that one at the karaoke bar at some point in their lives. Including you. Don’t bother trying to deny it. Plus, it’s the theme song to the Red Sox Nation, which totally rocks.

 

 

 

4) He Nearly Became The Original Eice, Eice Baby

Diamond was thisclose to picking the big pimpin’ stage name Eice Cherry at the start of his career. It was between that and Noah Kaminsky. But the man they call the Diamond Cutter and the Jewish Elvis was actually born Neil (ahem, Leslie) Diamond, which is the greatest stage name. . .ever. Well, except for the Leslie part.



 

5) Even If You Hate Him, You Still Kind Of Like Him

He’s the subject of one of the greatest comedic put-downs/compliments in film history, courtesy of the 1991 Bill Murray phobia laugher, What About Bob? In that film, Murray’s character states why he’s divorced explaining: “There are two types of people in the world: those who like Neil Diamond and those who don’t.

 

 

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118 Comments

21. hotrod -
i saw him in concert.....very good!

22. JohnD -
He wrote "I'm a believer" and who hasn'trocked out to that one?! I'm taking my 80 year old mom to the concert with me.

23. JohnD -
misshm1007 you are the only other person I know who loves "Brother Love's Travelin Salvation Show". It was my Fathers favorite song, and when I am feeling down, it is the best way to bring me back up. I love you dad, I miss you

24. Erin -
I don't know anyone who doesn't like Neil Diamond.

25. susan -
I'm with Melissa - I like Neil Diamond, but Barry is the best. Besides, it's easier to sing B-Man's tunes (can't get my voice that low on Neil's stuff).

26. deejay -
I am 62 years old and I have LOVED Neil Diamond since the first time I heard THAT voice. I saw him in concert in D.C. many years ago and remembering it still sends chills down me. He is unbelievable...He has written some of the most beautiful music for all ages. The music from Jonathan Livingston Seagull is still my all time favorite. His talent is as multi-faceted as his name...Diamond.

27. katy a -
Great performer. They broke the mold when he was born. The tonal quality of his voice could actually calm the savage beast in all of us.

28. duane -
When I frist saw Neil Diamond was in 1971 at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. He came out and said to all of us that he doesn't have a warmup band so we just have him for 4 hours. That was the best show I ever saw. You either like his music or you don't. However, He never forgets the fans.

29. wen -
i love him so much

30. Thomas E -
There is only one Diamond . . . Neil Diamond!

31. Erwin -
Neil is just a great songwriter and performer. When will the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame wake up and put him in? I hope this is the year!

32. Brenf88 -
We got tickets for front row at Madison Square Garden in Aug!!!!!!!!!!! He rocks!!!

33. Christopher -
Uh.. Who is everyone? I don't like Neil Diamond. I've never sang karaoke to any of this songs. You can refer to me as "in denial" for years if you like, but it won't make your insane ramblings true. Of course, he has sold a ton of albums. So did William Hung, and he was a joke. You have a point, maybe? Neil Diamond is old. His music is old. His fans are generally "mainstream". I mean the ones who attend concerts and buy albums. DJs and musicians don't count in this group, because musicians have eclectic taste, and DJs *HAVE* to listen to everything, because they're DJs. If you have to fabricate reasons for your statements, you must be taking your cues from the folks at MTV.

34. Michael C -
#1 reason I think would be because he is a Christian and has been well blessed

35. Kitty -
We sing "Sweet Caroline" at NY Ranger Games, as well. I love Neil's music, it's wonderful, and so is his voice.

36. Kitty -
Desirey: You may have been named for the song (I don't know how old you are) that song is incredible, and it stays with you.

37. Thomas R -
Apparently his "Hotlight" is still shining!

38. Lani C -
The first album I ever owned was Neil Diamond's Taproot Manuscript, when I was 10, given to me by my father. The first CD I ever owned was the same, given to me by my father, when I was 28. My daughter grew up listening to him, and on her last visit to see me, she wanted me to update her laptop iTunes with all of my Neil Diamond, not just my Collective Soul, REM, etc. She is 22! He puts on one of the best concerts I have ever been too. He is an icon, classic and timeless. No matter your age, you can't help but love him.

39. Carmel S -
I love neil diamond I was a teen in the 80's and i got picked on so bad but i didn't care.I love his voice very sexy and still is.

40. Scott -
Forever in blue jeans I love that song. The Jazz singer rocks, what a movie I watched that movie at least 50 times. Keep it up Neil.
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