Neil Leslie Diamond was born in the Coney Island section of Brooklyn, New York City, on January 24, 1941. His father, Akeeba "Kieve" Diamond, was a dry-goods merchant. Both he and wife Rose were Jewish immigrants from Poland. The Diamond family temporarily relocated to Cheyenne, Wyoming, because of Kieve Diamond's military service during World War II. During their time in Wyoming, Neil fell in love with "singing cowboy" movies on matinée showings at the local cinema. After the end of World War II, Neil and his parents returned to Brooklyn. He was given a $9 acoustic guitar for a birthday gift, which began his interest in music. At age 15 Neil wrote his first song, which he titled "Here Them Bells".
At Brooklyn's Erasmus Hall High School, Neil sang in the 100-member fixed chorus, with classmate 芭芭拉·史翠珊, although the two would not formally meet until over 20 years later. Neil and a friend, Jack Packer, formed a duo singing group called Neil & Jack, and they sang at Long Island's Little Neck Country Club and recorded a single for Shell Records. The record failed to sell, however, and the duo soon broke up.
In 1958 Neil entered New York University's pre-med program to become a doctor, on a fencing scholarship. Medicine did not catch his interest as much as music did, though, and he dropped out at the end of his junior year, only 10 credits shy of graduation. He Diamond went to work for Sunbeam Music on Manhattan's famous Tin Pan Alley. Making $50 a week, he worked at tailoring songs to the needs and abilities of the company's B-grade performers. Finding the work unrewarding, Neil soon quit. Renting a storage room in a printer's shop located above the famed Birdland nightclub on Broadway, Neil began to live there and installed a $30 piano and a pay telephone, and set about writing his songs his own way.
A chance encounter with the songwriting/record producing team of Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich led to a contract with Bang Records. In 1966 he recorded his first album, featuring hit singles such as "Solitary Man" and "Cherry, Cherry". That same year Diamond appeared twice on 迪克·克拉克's American Bandstand (1952) TV musical variety show. Also, The Monkees recorded several songs to which he wrote the music, including "I'm a Believer" which was a hit in 1967. A number of TV appearances followed, including singing gigs on The Mike Douglas Show (1961), 梅尔夫格里芬秀 (1962) and een a dramatic part as a rock singer on an episode of 洋场私探 (1967). Filling a musical void that existed between 弗兰克·辛纳特拉 and 埃尔维斯·普雷斯利, Diamond found wide acceptance among the young and old with his songs, but endured criticism that his music was too middle-of-the-road.
Diamond split with Bang Records in 1969, and signed a contract with California's Uni label, for which he recorded his first gold records. In 1970 he introduced British rock star 埃尔顿·约翰 in his first Stateside appearance at Hollywood's Troubador nightclub. In December 1971 Diamond signed a $5-million contract with Columbia Records, which led to more recording contracts and live concert appearances. In 1972 Diamond took a 40-month break from touring, during which he agreed to score the film 海鸥乔纳森 (1973). Although Diamond's soundtrack for that film earned him a Grammy Award, it was a box-office failure. Despite having worked with an acting coach since 1968, and talk of a five-picture acting contract with Universal Studios, Diamond remained inhibited by shyness of being in front of a camera. He turned down acting roles in every movie contract he was offered (among them was 鲍勃·福斯's 伦尼的故事 (1974) and 马丁·斯科塞斯's 出租车司机 (1976)). However, he did appear as himself with 鲍勃·迪伦, 乔尼·米切尔 and 尼尔·杨 in the 1978 documentary The Last Waltz (1978). He appeared at the 1977 Academy Awards where he presented Barbra Streisand the Oscar for Best Song.
In the summer of 1976, on the eve of three Las Vegas shows, Diamond's house in Bel Air was raided by the police because they received an anonymous tip that there were drugs and weapons stored there. The police found less than an ounce of marijuana. To have the arrest expunged from his recored, Diamond agreed to a six-month drug aversion program. In 1977 he starred in two TV specials for NBC. He had a cancer scare in 1979, when a tumor was found on his spine and had to be surgically removed, which confined him to a wheelchair for three months. During his recuperation he was given the script for the lead role in a planned remake of the early sound film 爵士歌手 (1927). Signing a $1-million contract to appear as the son of a Jewish cantor trying to succeed in the music industry, Diamond was cast opposite the legendary 劳伦斯·奥利弗 and Broadway actress 露西·阿纳兹. Despite the almost universally negative reviews of the film, it grossed three times its budget when released late in 1980. In 1981 Diamond's hit single, "America", which was part of the film's soundtrack, was used on news broadcasts to underscore the return of the American hostages from Iran.
Aware of his lack of acting talent, Diamond never acted in movie roles again, aside from making appearances as himself. A movie fan, he collaborated on writing the scores of many different soundtracks, which can be heard in such films as 仙人掌花 (1969), 低俗小说 (1994), 爱情尤物 (1996), 忠奸人 (1997), 穿梭阴阳界 (1999) and many more. He continues to occasionally perform in concerts and write a vast catalog of music which is recored by both him and other artists.
Seriously considered "Eyce Charry" and "Noah Kaminsky" for his professional name.
Screen-tested for the lead in the movie 伦尼的故事 (1974), based on the life of famous comedian 兰尼·布鲁斯, which he turned down.
When he and 芭芭拉·史翠珊 had a smash hit with "You Don't Bring Me Flowers" (1978), it was not the first time that the Brooklyn-born superstars had sung together. While students at New York City's Erasmus High School, they both sang in the school choir.
Was a pre-med student, interested in Biology, at New York University, but left with less than a year left, due to his dislike of organic chemistry. He was at New York University on a fencing scholarship.
His soundtrack to the film 海鸥乔纳森 (1973) grossed more than the movie itself.
Penned hits for other pop groups before becoming successful on his own, including The Monkees' "I'm a Believer".
For his role in 爵士歌手 (1980), Diamond became the first ever "Winner" of a Worst Actor Razzie Award.
Father-in-law of actress 雪莉·李.
Was a top fencer during his time at New York University.
In 1981, his screen "acting" debut in 爵士歌手 (1980) beat out 柯克·道格拉斯 (Saturn 3 (1980)), 安东尼·霍普金斯 (变幻季节 (1980)), 理查德·德莱福斯 (琴逢敌手 (1980)), 迈克尔·凯恩 (The Island (1980)), 罗伯特·布莱克 (傻女大闯关 (1980)) and four others to "win" the first-ever Worst Actor Razzie Award for 1980.
Was forced to pay $150,000,000 to former wife Marcia Murphey in their divorce settlement. This holds the record as the most expensive divorce in history.
Suggested for the lead role in 出租车司机 (1976), which went to 罗伯特·德尼罗.
His 1982 伯特·巴卡拉克/Carole Bayer Sager-penned hit "Heartlight" was inspired by the movie E.T. 外星人 (1982).
Originally denied 昆汀·塔伦蒂诺 permission to use his hit song "Girl, You'll Be a Woman, Soon" for the famous scene in 低俗小说 (1994) in which 乌玛·瑟曼 lip syncs the words to the song. Diamond eventually relented after his agent assured him that Tarantino was an up and coming director.
Inducted into the American Songwriters Hall of Fame (1984).
Father of musician-turned-photographer Jesse Diamond.
Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on March 14, 2011. The other inductees were 达琳·洛夫, Alice Cooper, Leon Russell, 汤姆·威兹 and Dr. John.
Ran away from his home in Brooklyn at age 13 and went to the Midwest where he formed a musical group called The Roadrunners. They performed in coffeehouses for two years, after which Neil went home.
Recipient of the 2011 Kennedy Center Honors, along with 芭芭拉库克, 马友友, Sonny Rollins and 梅丽尔·斯特里普.
Winner of the inaugural Billboard Icon Award, from Billboard magazine (2011).
In an interview in 2009, he revealed that his inspiration for his 1969 song "Sweet Caroline" was Caroline Kennedy, the daughter of the late President 约翰·肯尼迪.
He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 1750 North Vine Street in Hollywood, California on August 10, 2012.
Inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame (2007).
Diamond worked with American drummer Eddie Rubin in 1970 to record the album Gold: Recorded Live at the Troubadour.
The gold-sequined outfits he wore in the 1970s.
Deep grainy voice.
Neil Leslie Diamond was born in the Coney Island section of Brooklyn, New York City, on January 24, 1941. His father, Akeeba "Kieve" Diamond, was a dry-goods merchant. Both he and wife Rose were Jewish immigrants from Poland. The Diamond family temporarily relocated to Cheyenne, Wyoming, because of Kieve Diamond's military service during World War II. During their time in Wyoming, Neil fell in love with "singing cowboy" movies on matinée showings at the local cinema. After the end of World War II, Neil and his parents returned to Brooklyn. He was given a $9 acoustic guitar for a birthday gift, which began his interest in music. At age 15 Neil wrote his first song, which he titled "Here Them Bells".
At Brooklyn's Erasmus Hall High School, Neil sang in the 100-member fixed chorus, with classmate 芭芭拉·史翠珊, although the two would not formally meet until over 20 years later. Neil and a friend, Jack Packer, formed a duo singing group called Neil & Jack, and they sang at Long Island's Little Neck Country Club and recorded a single for Shell Records. The record failed to sell, however, and the duo soon broke up.
In 1958 Neil entered New York University's pre-med program to become a doctor, on a fencing scholarship. Medicine did not catch his interest as much as music did, though, and he dropped out at the end of his junior year, only 10 credits shy of graduation. He Diamond went to work for Sunbeam Music on Manhattan's famous Tin Pan Alley. Making $50 a week, he worked at tailoring songs to the needs and abilities of the company's B-grade performers. Finding the work unrewarding, Neil soon quit. Renting a storage room in a printer's shop located above the famed Birdland nightclub on Broadway, Neil began to live there and installed a $30 piano and a pay telephone, and set about writing his songs his own way.
A chance encounter with the songwriting/record producing team of Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich led to a contract with Bang Records. In 1966 he recorded his first album, featuring hit singles such as "Solitary Man" and "Cherry, Cherry". That same year Diamond appeared twice on 迪克·克拉克's American Bandstand (1952) TV musical variety show. Also, The Monkees recorded several songs to which he wrote the music, including "I'm a Believer" which was a hit in 1967. A number of TV appearances followed, including singing gigs on The Mike Douglas Show (1961), 梅尔夫格里芬秀 (1962) and een a dramatic part as a rock singer on an episode of 洋场私探 (1967). Filling a musical void that existed between 弗兰克·辛纳特拉 and 埃尔维斯·普雷斯利, Diamond found wide acceptance among the young and old with his songs, but endured criticism that his music was too middle-of-the-road.
Diamond split with Bang Records in 1969, and signed a contract with California's Uni label, for which he recorded his first gold records. In 1970 he introduced British rock star 埃尔顿·约翰 in his first Stateside appearance at Hollywood's Troubador nightclub. In December 1971 Diamond signed a $5-million contract with Columbia Records, which led to more recording contracts and live concert appearances. In 1972 Diamond took a 40-month break from touring, during which he agreed to score the film 海鸥乔纳森 (1973). Although Diamond's soundtrack for that film earned him a Grammy Award, it was a box-office failure. Despite having worked with an acting coach since 1968, and talk of a five-picture acting contract with Universal Studios, Diamond remained inhibited by shyness of being in front of a camera. He turned down acting roles in every movie contract he was offered (among them was 鲍勃·福斯's 伦尼的故事 (1974) and 马丁·斯科塞斯's 出租车司机 (1976)). However, he did appear as himself with 鲍勃·迪伦, 乔尼·米切尔 and 尼尔·杨 in the 1978 documentary The Last Waltz (1978). He appeared at the 1977 Academy Awards where he presented Barbra Streisand the Oscar for Best Song.
In the summer of 1976, on the eve of three Las Vegas shows, Diamond's house in Bel Air was raided by the police because they received an anonymous tip that there were drugs and weapons stored there. The police found less than an ounce of marijuana. To have the arrest expunged from his recored, Diamond agreed to a six-month drug aversion program. In 1977 he starred in two TV specials for NBC. He had a cancer scare in 1979, when a tumor was found on his spine and had to be surgically removed, which confined him to a wheelchair for three months. During his recuperation he was given the script for the lead role in a planned remake of the early sound film 爵士歌手 (1927). Signing a $1-million contract to appear as the son of a Jewish cantor trying to succeed in the music industry, Diamond was cast opposite the legendary 劳伦斯·奥利弗 and Broadway actress 露西·阿纳兹. Despite the almost universally negative reviews of the film, it grossed three times its budget when released late in 1980. In 1981 Diamond's hit single, "America", which was part of the film's soundtrack, was used on news broadcasts to underscore the return of the American hostages from Iran.
Aware of his lack of acting talent, Diamond never acted in movie roles again, aside from making appearances as himself. A movie fan, he collaborated on writing the scores of many different soundtracks, which can be heard in such films as 仙人掌花 (1969), 低俗小说 (1994), 爱情尤物 (1996), 忠奸人 (1997), 穿梭阴阳界 (1999) and many more. He continues to occasionally perform in concerts and write a vast catalog of music which is recored by both him and other artists.
Seriously considered "Eyce Charry" and "Noah Kaminsky" for his professional name.
Screen-tested for the lead in the movie 伦尼的故事 (1974), based on the life of famous comedian 兰尼·布鲁斯, which he turned down.
When he and 芭芭拉·史翠珊 had a smash hit with "You Don't Bring Me Flowers" (1978), it was not the first time that the Brooklyn-born superstars had sung together. While students at New York City's Erasmus High School, they both sang in the school choir.
Was a pre-med student, interested in Biology, at New York University, but left with less than a year left, due to his dislike of organic chemistry. He was at New York University on a fencing scholarship.
His soundtrack to the film 海鸥乔纳森 (1973) grossed more than the movie itself.
Penned hits for other pop groups before becoming successful on his own, including The Monkees' "I'm a Believer".
For his role in 爵士歌手 (1980), Diamond became the first ever "Winner" of a Worst Actor Razzie Award.
Father-in-law of actress 雪莉·李.
Was a top fencer during his time at New York University.
In 1981, his screen "acting" debut in 爵士歌手 (1980) beat out 柯克·道格拉斯 (Saturn 3 (1980)), 安东尼·霍普金斯 (变幻季节 (1980)), 理查德·德莱福斯 (琴逢敌手 (1980)), 迈克尔·凯恩 (The Island (1980)), 罗伯特·布莱克 (傻女大闯关 (1980)) and four others to "win" the first-ever Worst Actor Razzie Award for 1980.
Was forced to pay $150,000,000 to former wife Marcia Murphey in their divorce settlement. This holds the record as the most expensive divorce in history.
Suggested for the lead role in 出租车司机 (1976), which went to 罗伯特·德尼罗.
His 1982 伯特·巴卡拉克/Carole Bayer Sager-penned hit "Heartlight" was inspired by the movie E.T. 外星人 (1982).
Originally denied 昆汀·塔伦蒂诺 permission to use his hit song "Girl, You'll Be a Woman, Soon" for the famous scene in 低俗小说 (1994) in which 乌玛·瑟曼 lip syncs the words to the song. Diamond eventually relented after his agent assured him that Tarantino was an up and coming director.
Inducted into the American Songwriters Hall of Fame (1984).
Father of musician-turned-photographer Jesse Diamond.
Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on March 14, 2011. The other inductees were 达琳·洛夫, Alice Cooper, Leon Russell, 汤姆·威兹 and Dr. John.
Ran away from his home in Brooklyn at age 13 and went to the Midwest where he formed a musical group called The Roadrunners. They performed in coffeehouses for two years, after which Neil went home.
Recipient of the 2011 Kennedy Center Honors, along with 芭芭拉库克, 马友友, Sonny Rollins and 梅丽尔·斯特里普.
Winner of the inaugural Billboard Icon Award, from Billboard magazine (2011).
In an interview in 2009, he revealed that his inspiration for his 1969 song "Sweet Caroline" was Caroline Kennedy, the daughter of the late President 约翰·肯尼迪.
He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 1750 North Vine Street in Hollywood, California on August 10, 2012.
Inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame (2007).
Diamond worked with American drummer Eddie Rubin in 1970 to record the album Gold: Recorded Live at the Troubadour.
The gold-sequined outfits he wore in the 1970s.
Deep grainy voice.