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Neil Diamond

Neil Diamond Announces Retirement From Touring Following Parkinson's Diagnosis

Neil Diamond performs during the 84th Major League Baseball All-Star Game on July 16, 2013 in New York. The singer announced his retirement from performing after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images hide caption

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The Record

Neil Diamond Announces Retirement From Touring Following Parkinson's Diagnosis

The sequined legend is giving up the road — doctor's orders. Diamond was on the cusp of finishing his 50th Anniversary World Tour.

Neil Diamond On Loving Christmas Music As A Jew

Neil Diamond's new album, Acoustic Christmas, is out now. Micah Diamond/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Micah Diamond/Courtesy of the artist

Music Interviews

Neil Diamond On Loving Christmas Music As A Jew

Diamond says that for him and other Jewish artists, Christmas music is a way to catch up on what they missed as kids.

Neil Diamond On Loving Christmas Music As A Jew

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Music Interviews

Neil Diamond: 50 Years of Music that Moves You

Fresh Air

Home Before Dark, the 46th album from singer-songwriter Neil Diamond, is No. 1 on the pop charts. It's the first time Diamond has claimed that spot in a career that's spanned nearly five decades. He talked to Terry Gross in 2005.

Neil Diamond: 50 Years of Music that Moves You

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Music News

Singer Neil Diamond Back on the Charts

After nearly 50 years in the music business, Neil Diamond is on top of the world. The singer has topped the U.S. and British album charts with his new release, Home Before Dark.

Singer Neil Diamond Back on the Charts

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Review

Music Reviews

Elvis Costello Returns with New Classic

Andy Langer, music critic for Esquire magazine, discusses the week's album releases, including new records from music heavyweights Elvis Costello and Neil Diamond, as well as Tim Fite and Firewater.

Elvis Costello Returns with New Classic

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Music Interviews

Neil Diamond's Latest Leap: '12 Songs'

Fresh Air

Neil Diamond's new CD 12 Songs is the result of his work with the producer Rick Rubin, who previously put his personal touch on albums from Jay Z, Tom Petty and Johnny Cash, to name a few.

Neil Diamond's Latest Leap: '12 Songs'

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Opinion

Music News

The Mystery of 'Sweet Caroline' and the Sox

As a stadium anthem, it's not exactly "Take Me Out to the Ballgame." Susan Orlean visits Boston's Fenway Park to unlock the secret connection between the Red Sox, their loyal fans and singer Neil Diamond's 1969 hit.

The Mystery of 'Sweet Caroline' and the Sox

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An Immigrant's Tale, With Neil Diamond's Siren Song

Neil Diamond's "Coming To America" played an especially memorable part in one NPR listener's adolescence. Ethan Miller/Getty Images hide caption

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Mom And Dad's Record Collection

An Immigrant's Tale, With Neil Diamond's Siren Song

NPR listener John Keating recalls leaving South Africa for America during apartheid, and the patriotic tune that marked the experience.

An Immigrant's Tale, With Neil Diamond's Siren Song

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When Neil Diamond Finally Put Himself Into His Music

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Music Interviews

When Neil Diamond Finally Put Himself Into His Music

In 1966, a Tin Pan Alley songwriter finally found the spotlight with a tune he calls a "me" song, and launched a career as one of the country's most popular concert performers. But before "Solitary Man," Neil Diamond was hesitant to even embrace his own name.

When Neil Diamond Finally Put Himself Into His Music

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Neil Diamond: The Earliest Days Of A 'Solitary Man'

Neil Diamond. Ron Frehm/AP Photo hide caption

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Review

Music Reviews

Neil Diamond: The Earliest Days Of A 'Solitary Man'

Fresh Air

Diamond has sold 128 million records and written and recorded 37 Top 40 songs. But in the early 1960s, rock historian Ed Ward says, Diamond was writing songs for other musicians while struggling to get his own career off the ground.

Neil Diamond: The Earliest Days Of A 'Solitary Man'

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Neil Diamond: A 'Solitary Man' Enters The Hall Of Fame

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Music Interviews

Neil Diamond: A 'Solitary Man' Enters The Hall Of Fame

Fresh Air

Adult-contemporary music legend Neil Diamond will enter the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on Monday. Fresh Air celebrates the best-selling singer-songwriter with highlights from a 2005 interview.

Neil Diamond: A 'Solitary Man' Enters The Hall Of Fame

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Why The Wait For Rock's Newest Hall Of Famers?

Tom Waits onstage in 2004, six years into his eligibility for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Michael Kappeler/Getty Images hide caption

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The Record

Why The Wait For Rock's Newest Hall Of Famers?

The Hall's class of 2011 also includes Dr. John, Darlene Love and Alice Cooper.

Tom Waits And Neil Diamond Score Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Nods

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Neil Diamond, Covering His Favorites From Others

Neil Diamond says he's fulfilled a lifelong ambition in recording Dreams, his new album of covers. courtesy of the artist hide caption

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courtesy of the artist

Music Interviews

Neil Diamond, Covering His Favorites From Others

Fulfilling what he calls a lifelong ambition, the legendary singer and songwriter has recorded an album, Dreams, on which he covers the songs he considers the best of the rock era. It's a list that includes the works of Randy Newman, The Eagles and The Beatles.

Neil Diamond, Covering His Favorites From Others

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