Jewish merchant parents gave birth to Neil Leslie Diamond in 1941 in Brooklyn, New York. Growing up, Diamond demonstrated a strong interest in music.
At high school, he joined the choir and even had the chance to meet a young Barbra Streisand. After transferring to a different high school, he also joined the fencing team.
Neil Diamond started writing his own songs and taking guitar lessons after receiving a guitar for his 16th birthday. He became passionate about poetry as he composed more songs, and he frequently penned poetry for his high school crushes.
Diamond attended New York University on a fencing scholarship after graduating from high school, where he majored in pre-medicine. Yet with time, his fascination with music grew and his enthusiasm for his academic work diminished. He eventually left school only a few months before graduating.
Diamond frequented Tin Pan Alley, a neighborhood in New York where many songwriters and music publishers had established themselves, during his college years.
He finally received a $50 weekly composing salary through a deal with Sunbeam Music Publishing. Sunbeam did not rehire him once his contract expired, forcing him to seek a solo career and release failed songs in the early 1960s.
Is Neil Diamond still alive and singing?
Yes, Neil Diamond is still alive and active, despite having retired from live performing in 1962.
When did Neil Diamond stop singing?
Since receiving an unanticipated diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease in 2018, Neil Diamond has not given a live performance in any way.