Neil Diamond's first single, "At Night", was released in 1962, but it achieved little success. He worked as a songwriter for other performers, including the Monkees and Jay and the Techniques, which put him in touch with the industry, and he released a string of singles in the 1960s and early 1970s without major commercial success.
Success
Diamond achieved commercial success in 1966 when his song "Solitary Man" reached the Top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart; in the UK it reached number four on the UK Singles Chart. In the years that followed, he had a string of successful albums, including "Sweet Caroline" (1969), "Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show" (1969), and "Stones" (1971), which established him as a popular and respected singer-songwriter.
Diamond continued to release successful albums and songs throughout the 1970s, including "You Don't Bring Me Flowers" (1978), a duet with Barbara Streisand, and "Forever in Blue Jeans" (1979), which were among his best-selling and well-known works.
Career Highlights
Over his career, Diamond sold more than 135 million records, making him one of the best-selling music artists of all time. He won numerous awards, including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2011.
Legacy
Neil Diamond's music is known for its warm, soulful melodies, introspective lyrics, and honest emotions, which have resonated with audiences for decades. He is regarded as an influential figure in popular music, having left a lasting impact on the singer-songwriter genre and inspiring several generations of musicians.