Monday Morning Wake-Up Call

Posted on by Live & Learn

Q: What part (of his legendary career) was hardest for you?

Neil Diamond: It was always pretty hard. I was a little embarrassed. I was flattered and I was scared.

Q: What were you scared of?

ND: Being found out is the scariest thing. You can hope, because we all have a facade and the truth be known to all of them, I’m not some big star. I’m I’m just me.

—  Neil Diamond. Excerpt from an interview with Anthony Mason about the Broadway production of “A Beautiful Noise,” a musical based on his life.

Watch the full interview on CBS Sunday Morning on April 2, 2022 here: Neil Diamond on Parkinson’s and “A Beautiful Noise”. The life of singer-songwriter Neil Diamond has been dramatized, “warts and all,” in the Broadway musical “A Beautiful Noise.” Diamond, now 82, talks with correspondent Anthony Mason about continuing to sing; his diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease (a condition for which he was, he says, long in denial); and about the calm that has – finally – moved into “the hurricane of my life.”

If the video links above don’t work, try this one: CBS Sunday Morning – Neil Diamond Interview

36 thoughts on “Monday Morning Wake-Up Call”

  1. I always did like him.
    Can’t watch the video in Canada 🙄 (I can coz I have a VPN…) Just thought you’d like to know

      1. I saw the other one sincs I have a VPN. This one won’t open (but I’m on my phone). When I get up for real, I’ll try it on my laptop.

  2. I watched the interview yesterday – most struck by the lack of emotions (typical with Parkinson’s), and his view that he’s ‘just a man’…i was also moved by his strong desire to help those who can’t help themselves physically. TO think of his repertoire and feel the feels of memory is a morass I gratefully fall into.

      1. My dad had Lewy Body (Parkinson’s and dementia)…The absence of a smile is overpowering with those who benefitted from that grin – I think the person expends a lot of energy just trying to get through, you know? Speaking from personal experience – it’s all painful…

  6. Reblogged this on It Is What It Is and commented:
    I saw him when he sang ‘Sweet Carolina” … “Watch the full interview on CBS Sunday Morning on April 2, 2022 here: Neil Diamond on Parkinson’s and “A Beautiful Noise”. The life of singer-songwriter Neil Diamond has been dramatized, “warts and all,” in the Broadway musical “A Beautiful Noise.”

  8. Interesting timing for me as I just recently re-introduced myself to his music after not listening for decades. I appreciate his music far more now…(back then I was ruining my hearing listening to Bruce Springsteen :-)). One of his albums which (I believe) “flew under the radar“ that I really enjoy is the soundtrack to the movie Jonathan Livingston Seagull. The movie didn’t do well at the box office, but I still liked it because I was obsessed with the book at the time. I’m going to go back and watch that movie again sometime soon despite the mediocre ratings. Thanks for the heads up about this interview Dave. (I absolutely agree that it’s hard to watch everyone grow older, including ourselves.). Happy Monday everyone!

  10. One of musicians in my music box in my heart, I always loved his songs, I remember this song now, Thank you, Love, nia

  11. I just realise that he has been with me for a long and some important times …. his music always was special to me and I have now, since your upload, followed up more news on Neil. Was especially taken with this Guardian interview: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/apr/03/neil-diamond-on-living-with-parkinsons-disease-i-was-just-not-ready-to-accept-it
    (The Guardian has become my ‘go to’ online newspaper for anything UK, International).
    I’m glad to have read this and the comments to his illness are very true, as well as sad. But MUSIC is really my Go-To in any situation, be it sad, or joyful.

Leave a Reply