Neil Diamond

Singer-songwriter extraordinaire and dynamic concert performer who has been churning out the hits since 1966

Factfile
Full name: Neil Leslie Diamond
Born: January 24, 1941 in Brooklyn, New York
Diamond Notes

Neil was inspired to try his hand at music after seeing Pete Seeger perform at a camp he was attending as a teenager.

He attended New York University on a fencing scholarship but quit in his final year when he was offered a job writing songs for $50 a week.

Among the artist to record Neil Diamond compositions are: Cliff Richard, Lulu, The Monkees, Barbra Streisand and Johnny Cash.

A major turning point in Diamond's career was his lead role in the 1980 file The Jazz Singer, but Neil was lucky to participate after collapsing on stage just prior to shooting was due to commence. The problem was a tumour on his spine - after a 12 hour operations and months of rehabilitation he was fit to play the part.

Diamond has sold over 125 million records worldwide, making him one of the world's best-selling music artists of all time.

Neil was inducted into the Rock 'N' Roll Hall Of Fame in March 2012 alongside Alice Cooper, Dr. John and Tom Waits.