Neil Diamond has revealed it took him five years to accept being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
“I’m still [coming to terms]. And I don’t like it,” Diamond told CBS Sunday Morning correspondent Anthony Mason in an interview airing in full on Sunday, April 2nd. “But … this is me; this is what I have to accept. And I’m willing to do it. And, okay, so this is the hand that God’s given me, and I have to make the best of it, and so I am.”
When asked when he came to the realization, Diamond said, “I think this has just been in the last few weeks.” The 82-year-old continued, “Somehow, a calm has moved [into] the hurricane of my life, and things have gotten very quiet, as quiet as this recording studio. And I like it. I find that I like myself better. I’m easier on people. I’m easier on myself. And the beat goes on, and it will go on long after I’m gone.”
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Elsewhere in the interview, Diamond spoke about his life being adapted for the Broadway musical A Beautiful Noise, in which Will Swenson plays the legendary singer. Diamond explained his biggest fear was “being found out.” He added, “We all have a facade, and the truth be known to all of ’em, I’m not some big star. I’m just me.”
Diamond retired from the road in 2018 in the midst of a 50th anniversary tour due to his doctor’s orders. However, he does make sporadic appearances to sing his signature hit “Sweet Caroline” on Broadway or at Fenway Park.
A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical is currently playing at New York’s Broadhurst Theatre. Look for deals at StubHub, where orders are 100% guaranteed through StubHub’s FanProtect program. StubHub is a secondary market ticketing platform, and prices may be higher or lower than face value, depending on demand.
