In an open interview, Neil Diamond discussed his experience with Parkinson’s disease and stated that he has only lately come to terms with it.
The musician told reporter Anthony Mason during an appearance on CBS Sunday Morning that he was in denial “for the first year or two” following his diagnosis in 2018.
“I was simply not prepared to accept it when the doctor told me what it was,” he remarked. “Oh, all right, anytime you want to see me, I’ll see you later because I have work to do,” I said.
Diamond, the singer-songwriter of popular songs like “Cracklin’ Rosie” and “Sweetheart Caroline,” claimed that acceptance had made him feel more at ease.
“I believe that this has only occurred in the past few weeks. But inexplicably, the hurricane of my life has passed and a calm has taken over, and everything is now very quiet.
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And I enjoy it. I’ve come to like myself more. I’m kinder to others. The beat continues and will continue long after I’m gone, and I’m kinder to myself.
Nevertheless, he informed Mason, the process of acceptance remains challenging.
He declared, “I don’t like it, but I’m still doing it.” “All right, so I have to make the most of the hand that God has given me. So I am.
“There is no way to avoid it, and there is no remedy. Simply saying, “Okay, enough already, let’s get back to life,” is not enough. That isn’t how it operates. However, I’ve learned to live with my limitations and still enjoy wonderful days.
The Australian leg of Diamond’s 50th anniversary tour was ruined by his diagnosis in 2018. Before declaring his retirement from touring, he had already given performances throughout the United States and Europe.
The Broadway production of A Beautiful Noise, which debuted in December of last year and is based on Diamond’s life and music, was also discussed in the CBS interview.
“It hurt,” he said, adding that the show is a component of his psychotherapy.
“I didn’t enjoy seeing myself in a lot of the scenes. I felt flattered, a little embarrassed, and afraid.
One of Diamond’s first public appearances since his retirement was a surprise sing-along of Sweet Caroline on stage during the opening night of A Beautiful Noise.
In the CBS interview, he claimed to still be able to sing. I’ve been doing it for fifty years because I find it enjoyable. My body and mind seem to be functioning as a single system.
“It’s true that I’ve had a pretty amazing life.”
