In a recent interview, Neil Diamond discusses his Parkinson’s disease diagnosis: ‘I was in denial

Neil Diamond is one of the most well-known and successful musicians of all time, with hits such as “Sweet Caroline,” “Cracklin’ Rosie,” “Cherry, Cherry,” and “Song Sung Blue.”

For decades, the singer-songwriter captivated audiences with live performances — but his lucrative concert touring career ended in 2018, after Diamond was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

In a recent interview, the 82-year-old singer discussed finally accepting the sickness.

Diamond admitted to CBS Sunday Morning that it took him some time to process his Parkinson’s diagnosis.

“In a sense, I was in denial for the first year or two,” Diamond admitted. “I just wasn’t ready to accept it when the doctor told me what it was.” ‘Oh, okay,’ I said. I’ll see you whenever you want to see me. But I need to get some work done, so I’ll see you later.”

Diamond celebrated his 50th anniversary by touring the United States and Europe in 2017. However, in 2018, he announced the cancellation of the next Australia and New Zealand leg of the tour, citing Parkinson’s disease as making it impossible to continue performing.

“I announce my retirement from concert touring with great reluctance and disappointment.” “I have been so honoured to bring my shows to the public for the past 50 years,” Diamond stated at the time in a press release.

Diamond told CBS that it was “very difficult” for him to stop touring, and that it took him a long time and effort to properly embrace his diagnosis and retirement. However, the musician stated that “in the last few weeks”

“Somehow, a calm has moved [into] the hurricane of my life, and things have gotten very quiet, almost as quiet as this recording studio,” Diamond explained. “I also enjoy it. I’m starting to like myself more. I’m gentler with others and gentler with myself. And the rhythm continues, and it will continue long after I’m gone.”

Neil Diamond is no longer performing, yet he is still immensely beloved with admirers all around the world. A Beautiful Noise, a biographical stage musical based on his life, is presently performing on Broadway, and Diamond has described it as “absolutely wonderful” and “a dream come true.”

“This show was a component of my psychotherapy.” It was also painful. “I didn’t like seeing myself in a lot of the scenes,” he told CBS.

Fans who saw the show’s debut last year were treated to a very special surprise: Diamond himself played “Sweet Caroline” at the curtain call.

Diamond will also perform “Sweet Caroline” during a Boston Red Sox game in June 2022. The song is played every night at Fenway Park.

Despite the fact that Parkinson’s disease has caused him to cease touring, it’s evident that Neil Diamond can still sing and is willing to give his all in rare performances – and crowds love it.

Parkinson’s disease is a difficult diagnosis to accept, but we’re glad to see Neil Diamond has come to terms with it.

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