Music legend Neil Diamond has been forced into retirement from touring after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease.
Diamond’s doctor has advised to cancel his upcoming Australia and New Zealand tour in March.
In a statement Neil said, “It is with great reluctance and disappointment that I announce my retirement from concert touring. I have been so honored to bring my shows to the public for the past 50 years,” said Neil Diamond.”My sincerest apologies to everyone who purchased tickets and were planning to come to the upcoming shows.
He says he will continue to write and record new music. “I plan to remain active in writing, recording and other projects for a long time to come.
My thanks goes out to my loyal and devoted audiences around the world. You will always have my appreciation for your support and encouragement. This ride has been ‘so good, so good, so good’ thanks to you.”
Promoter Paul Dainty commented, “I am devastated and saddened to hear the news of Neil’s illness and his retirement from touring. I have had the honour of promoting Neil’s numerous tours in Australia and New Zealand, he is one of the world’s greatest artists and we and his thousands and thousands of fans here will miss seeing him tour down under.”
Neil Diamond will turn 77 tomorrow (24 January). On January 28th The Recording Academy will honor him with its prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award.
Neil Diamond spent the start of his career working as a professional songwriter at the Brill Building in New York. It was there he wrote ‘Sunday and Me’ for Jay & The Americans and ‘I’m A Believer’ and ‘A Little Bit Me A Little Bit You’ for The Monkees.
Diamond’s first album was ‘The Feel of Neil Diamond’ in 1966. It contained ‘Solitary man’ and ‘Cherry Cherry’.
Neil’s most recent studio albums were ‘Melody Road’ in 2014 and ‘Acoustic Christmas’ in 2016.
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