Neil Diamond biography

Synopsis

Born in Brooklyn, New York, on January 24, 1941, Neil Diamond began writing songs while studying at New York University. His own hits include "Sweet Caroline," "America" and "Heartlight." He also wrote "I'm A Believer" performed by The Monkees, and his song "Red Red Wine" was a big hit for band UB40 in 1983. Diamond's albums include Jonathan Livingston Seagull (1974) and Tennessee Moon (1996).

Commercial Success

Born Neil Leslie Diamond on January 24, 1941, in Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York, Neil Diamond is best known as successful pop music singer who began writing songs while studying at New York University, and scored a number of hits during the 1960s, '70s and '80s. Diamond wrote the hits "I'm A Believer" (1966) and "A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You" (1967) for the Monkees, and had his own first No. 1 hit with "Cracklin' Rose" (1970).

Diamond's albums include Jonathon Livingston Seagull (1974), Headed for the Future (1986), Tennessee Moon (1996) and 12 Songs (2005). His songs have been taken up by many recording artists, including The Hollies, Elvis Presley and UB40.

In Recent Years

Diamond's musical contributions were honored in 2011, when he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He received the Kennedy Centerr Honor that same year.

In 2012, Diamond made headlines for his latest marriage; he wed his manager, Katie McNeil, in Los Angeles on April 20, 2012. They met in 2009, during the making of the documentary Neil Diamond: Hot August Night NYC. McNeil worked as an executive producer on the project. Diamond has been married twice before, and has four children from those marriages.

Now in his 70s, Diamond continues to play several concerts annually. He spent the summer of 2012 performing his greatest hits across the United States.