This website has been mostly about me and the tribute I pay through my performances to Neil Diamond.  So far there has been very little mention of him. I, therefore, decided to dedicate a page especially to the man himself and pay homage to the legend who has not only inspired millions of people with his music and stage performances worldwide but also a man who has written music and influenced many artists in the popular music world today.   

Neil Leslie Diamond was born in Brooklyn, New York 24th January 1941.  Neil's early years was typical of life during the 40's to the working family in New York although his interest in music was already starting to flourish during his High school years with the school choir.  Neil's talents were not only musical.  Neil was awarded a fencing scholarship to New York University and became a pre-med student studying biology.  Neil left this before time to pursue a career in music.  Neil's early writings was mostly unnoticed eventually becoming a tunesmith, writing songs for such groups as 'The Monkees', 'The Drifters' and many others.  It wasn't until 1966 that Neil made a break with two smash hits, 'Solitary Man' and 'Cherry Cherry'.  In 1973, Neil was asked to write the score for an animated film, 'Jonathan Livingstone Seagull'.  Although the critics were not impressed with the actual film, the Music was nothing short of stunning.  The main song of the film was 'Be'.  A magical epic of a song that reaches out to so many emotions. In 1980 Neil Starred in a remake of Al Jolson's 'The Jazz Singer' A story of Jess Rabinovich, a Cantor's son pulled between the love to his strict father and his music.  This film produced some of Neil's greatest work with hits including 'America', 'Hello Again' and 'Love on the Rocks'.  Neil has continued to write songs and release music right to the present day, his latest album '12 Songs' took Neil back to the basics of voice, guitar and piano. Personally, I love the album.  It undresses Neil from the Brass and String arrangements and shows that real music can be written and performed simply by singing to a couple of instruments.  This to me is what music is all about and where modern music can sometimes lack real soul.   To his loyal fans he is a source of joy, love, sadness, peace and tranquility, to name just a few of the emotions stirred by the lyrics and his own unique way of getting them across to his audience. To me he is one of the greatest song writers of our time.  He has a knack of capturing the senses of whatever mood you may be feeling.  He can lift your heart, relax your mind, make you feel love and heartache, he writes about life and dreams.  In the very basic forms of song Neil Diamond delivers the very best in musical poetry.  His stage performances continue, his voice, music and the legend remains strong and ever inspiring.

I feel there is only one way to leave this short tribute.  That is to say thank you to the man who has given so much to so many for more than forty years.  He has sold well over 120 million records worldwide and continues to inspire us all.  I hope that the performances that I give, no matter how small in comparison,  spreads Neil's music to his fans in the U.K.  I would like to point out that I am not a Neil Diamond impersonator, I am merely a tribute singer.  I like to think of myself as a messenger of his music.  Relaying his music through my voice.  I have no delusions of my own voice, although one or two have said I sound like Neil  I personally dont think so.  I dont go out of my way to try to sound like him I just try to do him justice.  I always feel humbled performing his music and I believe every other Neil Diamond Tribute singer will feel the same way.  Such is his musical power.  I  love singing his music, I love people hearing his music,  but there will only ever be one NEIL DIAMOND.

Thank you Neil

Paul, The Diamond Geezer