NEIL DIAMOND

Neil Diamond has entered his seventieth year, still playing music all over the world. He is to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in March, marking his 50 years in show business.

He started making hits in the 1960’s and has sold 115 million records worldwide, including 48 million in the U.S. making him the third more successful artist in the Adult Contemporary grouping, ranking only behind Barbra Streisand and Elton John.

Diamond was born on January 24th 1942 in Brooklyn, New York. He started out in a music publishing company, writing songs for $50 a week, sidetracking his plans to become a laboratory biologist.

His songs have been covered by Elvis Presley, the Monkees, Lulu and Cliff Richard, amongst many others. Some of the many hit songs he wrote include ‘I’m a Believer,’ ‘Sweet Caroline,’ ‘Solitary Man’ and ‘Forever in Blue Jeans.’

The 1980’s saw Diamond’s string of hit records dry up, but he continued to play sell out concerts. He is also still recording music, and is currently working on an album with legendary producer Rick Rubin, who rejuvenated the careers and reputation of Johnny Cash, helping him to get back to his traditional sound for his last album.

Speaking about his upcoming Hall of Fame induction, Diamond said he thought he may have been nominated sooner but added, “I kind of figured they’d get around to me at some point.” Diamond will be honored with induction on the same day as Alice Cooper, Tom Waits and Phil Spector collaborator Darlene Love.