Introduction

Neil Diamond, one of the world’s best-selling musicians, has faced a dramatic life change over the past five years. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in January 2018, the neurological disorder abruptly ended his touring career, forcing the legendary singer-songwriter to confront a challenge he had never anticipated. For decades, Diamond had filled arenas, sold millions of records, and captivated fans with his voice and presence. Yet, as he admits, coming to terms with Parkinson’s was initially a struggle: “I was in denial for the first year or two. I was just not ready to accept it.”

Despite this, Diamond has found a new way to connect with his music and fans. His Broadway musical, A Beautiful Noise, tells the story of his life—from a young Jewish kid from Brooklyn chasing his songwriting dreams to a global superstar selling over 130 million records. Seeing the musical premiere in New York was a dream come true for Diamond. He describes it as a “flashback,” a reflective journey through his own history, from his early days performing at The Bitter End in Greenwich Village to becoming one of the biggest concert draws in the 1980s and 1990s.

The musical doesn’t shy away from the difficulties of Diamond’s life. It portrays his early ambition, which strained his personal relationships, and the self-doubt that has accompanied him even at the height of fame. “This show is part of my psychotherapy,” he explains. “It hurt. I didn’t like looking at myself in many of the scenes. I was embarrassed, flattered, and scared. Being found out is the scariest thing you can hope for because we all have a facade.” Yet through the portrayal, Diamond found a sense of honesty and healing.

Even with Parkinson’s, Diamond continues to sing and create. Regularly visiting his Archangel studio in Los Angeles, surrounded by decades of awards, he insists, “I still can sing. I like singing. I’ve been doing it for 50 years, and I enjoy it. When I sing, all the systems of my mind and body are working as one.” Accepting his limitations has been a gradual process, but he now embraces the calm that has entered his life: “Somehow a calm has moved in the hurricane of my life. Things have gotten very quiet, and I like it. I find that I like myself better, I’m easier on people, and I’m easier on myself.”

Looking back on his life, Diamond recognizes the magnitude of his achievements and the joy that music has brought him and others. He continues to perform when he can, savoring the experience and the connection it provides. Despite the challenges, he remains grateful for the life he has lived, remarking with humor and warmth about the Broadway musical of his life: paraphrasing Sally Field, “They like me. They really like me.” For Neil Diamond, the music—and the appreciation it inspires—truly goes on, even in the face of Parkinson’s.

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