But this ex-Brill Building tunesmith crafted a batch of excellent songs during the 1960s (hits such as 'Solitary Man' for himself and 'Im a Believer' for the Monkees) before emerging as a stadium superstar. From the 1960s to the 1980s, Diamond was one of the more successful pop music performers, scoring a number of hits. However, in 2014 Diamond said the song was about his then-wife Marcia, but he needed a three-syllable name to fit the melody. OK, Neil Diamond is an easy target for parody - voice straight outta Brooklyn, bespangled shirt straight outta Vegas. Neil Leslie Diamond (born January 24, 1941) is an American singer and songwriter, born in Brooklyn, NY. Tuesdays show, devoted to the songbook of the estimable Tin Pan Alley rocker, did him a great injustice - and it didn. I never thought I would have occasion to feel sorry for Neil Diamond, but 'American Idol' always seems to introduce me to new and uninvited emotions. On December 21, 2011, in an interview on CBS's The Early Show, Diamond said that a magazine cover photo of Caroline Kennedy as a young child on a horse with her parents created an image in his mind, and the rest of the song came together about five years after seeing the picture. American Idol Banter: Neil Diamond in the rough. Diamond sang the song to her at her 50th birthday celebration in 2007. Kennedy's daughter, Caroline, who was eleven years old at the time it was released. "In a 2007 interview, Diamond stated the inspiration for his song was John F. With spirited, audience singalong versions of 'Sweet Caroline' and a choir-assisted 'America,' Neil Diamond closed. The song was a hit single in the United States in 1981, reaching number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 and was Diamonds sixth number one on the Adult Contemporary chart. Neil Diamond Accepts Billboard Icon Award, Closes BBMAs with ‘Sweet’ Medley. Twice he admitted it, but in more recent years he denies it. America (Neil Diamond song) ' America ' is a song written and originally recorded by Neil Diamond, released in 1980 on the soundtrack album of Diamonds film The Jazz Singer. "Sweet Caroline" was written by Neil Diamond with Caroline Kennedy in mind. Neil Diamond changed up the song lyrics to his classic tune as a PSA for people to watch their hands, and we are here for it Neil Diamond, 79, is here to uplift your spiritsThe legendary singer.