Last week Neil Diamond and Elton John both announced that after 50 years they were retiring from touring.
Sadly, Diamond’s reason is a diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease while John wants to spend more time with his family. Nevermind the fact that they are 77 and 70 years old, respectively which is beyond the age of retirement. And they both stated that they are retiring from the road only and will still be active in the music industry in other ways.
In 1966, at the tender age of 8, I fell deeply and madly in love. He was 17 years older than me but ruggedly handsome with a deep gravelly voice that sang to me (literally) over the radio. His name was Neil Diamond and the songs I was hearing were “Solitary Man”, “Shilo”, “Cherry Cherry”, and the one I felt was written for and sung to me and me alone, “Girl You’ll Be A Woman Soon”.
Yes, I would have had to fight off a lot of other females who were just as in love, but it was worth it. We had 9 “dates” over the years, beginning with 1972’s “Hot August Night” tour in Vancouver, Canada. I guess we will never have number 10.
Neil Diamond went on to have many hits both as a singer and songwriter. I remember my friends younger brother saying “who’s this Diamond dude covering UB40’s song – doesn’t he know it is supposed to be reggae?” Of course, he was referring to “Red Red Wine”, written and recorded by the Diamond dude many years before.
Anyway, Neil, I am so sorry for your health news but I look forward to hearing any new songs you write, whether for yourself or anyone else. You started in Tin Pan Alley making $50.00 a week (in the 60’s) writing songs for other people to sing and I am sure you could bring in a little more than that these days! 😉
Sir Elton John first entered my life in 1970 with “Border Song” and “Your Song”. I loved his piano-laden tracks and beautiful melodies. Bernie Taupin’s lyrics really drew me in, making me feel like I was part of the story they were telling. “Tiny Dancer” and “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” remain two of my favourites. It is amazing that these two did not work together on a song. Bernie would write “a bunch” of lyrics and hand them off to Elton who would add the music. It is a process that definitely works.
Oh, and Sir Elton John may be not touring, but that is only after he does his 300 date Farewell tour!
In researching this post I found out some interesting facts that I didn’t even know about.
- Both wrote songs for other people before they had their own singing careers
- Both had songs recorded by Lulu and The Hollies
- Sir Elton played piano on The Hollies’ recording of “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother”, a song that Neil Diamond also recorded and had a hit with.
- Both are celebrating 50 years of touring this year.
Enjoy a couple of my favourites.
Lydia!
Being Lydia! 
Sweet Caroline, Play Me, Bennie and the Jets, and Daniel are always on my random playlist! The music these two greats created have been a big part of my life and bring wonderful memories to mind.
I wasn’t aware Neil had Parkinson’s – that’s simply heartbreaking and I’m sending up prayers for him.
Anita Baker begins her farewell tour in March, and I’ve told my children I want tickets! LOL! Guess I’ll be adding Elton John to the must-have tickets list! I mean…my birthday, Mother’s Day, Christmas…several opportunities to combine gifts, right? 😁
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I didn’t know about Anita Baker. I will have to see if she is coming anywhere around here.
Neil announced the Parkinson’s last week when he canceled his New Zealand/Australia tour.
I love all the songs you mentioned as well.
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Two more of my favs getting older. But Elton John has good reasons to retire from touring; his two young sons! I will always enjoy the music of these two. Perhaps Elton John was more a part of my 20s living in England and so he does have a big part of my musical heart.
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Did you see Elton perform with Miley Cyrus on the Grammies Sunday? They did Tiny Dancer. Yes, his sons and David will be definitely glad to have him around more…after 300 more concerts LOL!
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I always wondered what it would have been like married to ND. After all, a guy who could write like that must be a romantic!😉
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Well, he was married and divorced twice…;-)
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Oh well…..; (
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Love both these men and their music! Thanks for the memories of their songs💖
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You are welcome! I could have listed dozens from both of them and still not made a dent in their discographies.
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Lydia, sad day indeed. My wife has attended a Diamond concert and we both went to a John concert. What strikes us is the multi-generations of people singing word for word in the audience. Keith
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Yes, Keith, I agree. One of my 9 concerts I went with my sister (8 years older than me), her friend, my friend and my nephew who was 8 at the time. He was singing away and at one point pulled on my top to get my attention. I thought he was bored, when he said “I have a friend named Gregory”, but not the case. I listened very carefully and he was singing “Gregory Blue Jeans”! I saw Elton as well, with another legend, Billy Joel. They played separately and together and it was one of the best concerts I have ever been to. The fan base was so varied at that one it was unbelievable – all ages and walks of life.
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