Neil Diamond Shocked Fans With This Surprise Performance, 7 Years After Parkinson’s Diagnosis
84-year-old Neil Diamond is proving that, despite dealing with Parkinson’s disease, he still has time for his fans. He recently surprised the audience at a performance of the musical A Beautiful Noise, which celebrates his life and career, at the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles, with an impromptu appearance. Showing up at the musical’s end, Diamond played his biggest hit, “Sweet Caroline.”
After the show, American Idol alum Nick Fradiani, who plays Diamond in the musical, was seen introducing Diamond to the audience. He then led the crowd in the performance of “Sweet Caroline” and encouraged a sing-a-long.
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The same evening, Fradiani shared photos of himself posing with Diamond, and admitted that he has been waiting for the day when Diamond would watch the performance. He wrote, alongside the photos, “I built up this day in my head for over 2 years. The day where Neil Diamond himself would see this show. It sounds cliché, but I don’t have the exact words to describe how it felt portraying a music icon as he sat and watched from an audience. But mostly I felt honored and fulfilled. He’s a great man, a great musician, and he’s changed so many of our lives. I was able to tell him how much he’s changed mine.”
Diamond has been retired from touring and performing for seven years, following his Parkinson’s diagnosis. At the time, he had to cancel the final shows of his 50th Anniversary Tour on his doctor’s advice. Although he has quit touring, he said that he still hopes to release new music someday. After the new performance, fans are remaining hopeful.
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Pop Music Legends
August 2017
Dedicated to the sights, sounds and stories of the golden age of pop.
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