Neil Diamond to be inducted into Rock Hall of Fame

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has disclose its 2011 inductees, and many oldies artists have finally made the final cut. Neil Diamond and Dr. John get succuss on their very first nomination, while Darlene Love wins after two previous nominations in 1999 and 2010.

Here's the full list of 2011 Hall of Fame nominees. Click on a link to read their profile:

Beastie Boys
Bon Jovi
Chic
Alice Cooper
Neil Diamond
Donna Summer
Donovan
Dr. John
The J. Geils Band
LL Cool J
Darlene Love
Laura Nyro
Joe Tex
Tom Waits
Chuck Willis

The winners will be inducted at the annual ceremony held on March 14 in New York.

Neil Diamond eligible for the Rock and Roll Hall

For many years Neil Diamond had been eligible for the Rock and Roll Hall, he was never worried because he newer got a nomination to connect music's prestigious club.

According to the news he said in a phone interview, "I thought about it occasionally, but I kind of figured they'd get around to me at some point".

Diamond hits include "Sweet Caroline," made the list, along with the Alice Cooper Band, New Orleans musician Dr. John, Darlene Love and singer-songwriter Tom Waits.

Piano man Leon Russell was respected with a musical excellence award, category of the previously sideman, Executives Jac Holzman and Art Rupe were given the Ahmet Ertegun Awards.

'Dreams,' Neil Diamond

Most of the fans are disappointed on the release of the Neil Diamond new album 'Dreams'.Diamond after the release of this album seems to be tired with his passion because this is not we actually want Diamond to be.

But Dreams? It’s just disappointing, man — especially on the heels of Home Before Dark, which was such a great late-career album.

The ablum 'Dreams' is seriously for some other kind of people's song - ones that Diamond holds dear. There’s a little Cohen, some Lennon and McCartney, a little Eagles. But where he might usually lay that great snarling sass down on his own songs — the swagger that makes the ladies go crazy — he simply throws a wet blanket over old songs here.

For Troubled Americans Diamond Plans Another Uplifting Anthem

For those people who have fall-out due to recession in America, Neil Diamond has decided to is work on an uplifting new anthem for those people.

Diamond who is very renowned for some of the America's most inspiring songs - like Sweet Caroline and America, which have been adopted as unofficial anthems - and now has plan to release another.


He tells Parade magazine, "We’re so inundated with bad news, and I would like to write a song that’s an optimistic, uplifting view of what America can and will be. That would be a challenge. I don’t even know if I could do it."

Neil Diamond goes back to basics with covers CD; talks Twitter, rock and baseball hall of fame

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - Neil Diamond recorded his latest album, "Dreams," with just a guitar and a microphone, interpreting old classics in a very intimate setting that puts the focus squarely on his voice.
But the 69-year-old legend is hoping the stripped arrangement draws listeners closer to something else he holds dear — the songs' lyrics. While he knows people are pretty familiar with the tunes on this album, which include "Midnight Train To Georgia," ''Hallelujah" and "Yesterday," he wanted to highlight the stories behind them that made them special in the first place.
"On my songs, I worked very hard on the lyrics and I want people to hear them. I felt these songs deserve to be heard, and so they are," said Diamond in a recent interview, where he delved more into "Dreams," discussed his affection for Twitter and getting "Sweet Caroline" into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
The Associated Press: Explain the title "Dreams."
Neil Diamond: I titled it that because the album is really a dream of mine. It was an idea, a feeling, a desire of mine to do these songs. ... I haven't been able to do it for my entire career. I just felt at this point, if not now, when?
AP: After two such successful albums with Rick Rubin, what made you want to do covers?
Neil Diamond: I went into the studio just to sing for my own amusement. Just take my guitar in front of a microphone and sing. I didn't have any new songs of mine to sing, so I went back and just did some of my favourite songs that have been out there. I did it every Friday for months. Just as an upper for me. Kind of a tonic for the rest of the week. ... It was more like an accidental album.
AP: Do you ever get intimidated reinterpreting someone else's song, like the Beatles song?
Neil Diamond: I've never gotten intimidated. I will always try a song. There are certain songs that you just cannot sing. They are not made for you. I did try a Brazilian song on this album, and there was no way I could sing it. It was kind of a bossa nova thing. No way I could get all the words and the notes in. I was very frustrated. I tried, and tried and tried and just said, "It is just not made for me to sing."
AP: You are on Twitter. Talk about social media and interacting directly with your fans.
Neil Diamond: Yeah, I tweet. Occasionally I do. There is nothing lost in translation. I like that and it is simple. As a songwriter, you are limited to a very short list of words, a number that you can use in a song. A hundred words, 150 words, that is it. So, to have a medium where I can reach out to people and share part of my life and have only 147 or so characters ... you have to say it very briefly and I like that.
AP: As a musical icon and grandfather, how do you combine that?
Neil Diamond: Well, I would like my grandkids to be involved in music. I have given them guitars. I have offered them lessons. They just take to it. I've never put any pressure on them. If they continue to love it, and want to do it, they will. But, the bottom line is, I want them to have their hearts and minds open to music, because it is nourishment to the soul.
AP: John Fogerty's "Centerfield" was recently honoured by the Baseball's Hall of Fame this year. Do you think Sweet Caroline will get its due from the hall?
Neil Diamond: It was honoured by the Baseball Hall of Fame? Wonderful, I didn't know they honoured songs. Well, hey, you know "Sweet Caroline" is there and it would love to be in the Baseball Hall of Fame. That would be a real kick for me, because I'm a big baseball fan.
AP: What did you feel when you were finally nominated into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?
Neil Diamond: My music is very broad. It is based on rock 'n' roll. But it also has a folk element, it has a country element to it, which is pretty strong. I was never sure they would take me in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They still haven't, I have just been nominated. But, I am very happy to be a part of that. I think any group that has a Little Richard, Chuck Berry, and the Everly Brothers is a group I want to be a part of.

Neil Diamond Tickets Prices Rise

Since Neil Diamond last played in Wellington, he has doubled his ticket prices,but he's still a steal compared with the Rolling Stones.

According to Ticketek's website,The most costly tickets for Diamond's gig at Westpac Stadium on March 4 will set fans back $199.90,Cheaper options to watch the man responsible for a swag of hits including Sweet Caroline and Cracklin' Rosie are priced at $149.90 and $99.90.

In March 2005 Neil Diamond performed in front of 33000 the tickets of which only cost between $60 and $100.

Sherayl McNabb attended the 2005 concert, "I love Neil Diamond" she said, but she don't know the reason for this high price but may be because value of money increase.She expressed that no matter how expensive the tickets are but you wouldn't like atmosphere where people are drunk and fighting around you-that happened with us in 2005

"I would have expected the price to go up, but $200 is too expensive."

She said that she would consider paying $100, as it would going to be very difficult in tight economy to sell out 33000 tickets this time

Neil Diamond told The Dominion Post last month that he was looking forward to performing Down Under. "The audiences down there are spectacular and any performer wants to get in front of an audience like that. That's what it's all about."

The singer-songwriter has sold 128 million albums worldwide. His 2008 album, Home Before Dark, went straight to No 1 in New Zealand, the United States and Britain.

He will also perform at Vector Arena in Auckland on February 26 and 28.

A new 14-song collection by Neil Diamond

A new collection of 14 songs, title "DREAM" by Neil Diamond is available in stores now. The album title "Dream" is comprises of his favorite songs from other composers of the rock era.

The covers include "Let It Be Me" by the Everly Brothers, "Blackbird" and "Yesterday" by the Beatles, and Leon Russell's "A Song for You.This album spot-lighted on music that influenced Neil Diamond when he was growing up in Brooklyn.

Other songs include Gilbert O'Sullivan's "Alone Again (Naturally)," Bill Withers' "Ain't No Sunshine," and Randy Newman's "Feels Like Home" and "Losing You."

Diamond Mentioned that "he has wanted to record these songs for more than 40 years"

Neil Diamond final Electric Prom legend

Singer songwriter Neil Diamond has been announces at London concert as part of festival as the final 'legend' for this year's Radio 2 Electric Proms. The Diamond will play in London the Roundhouse on October 30, this concert have also including Elton John (28) and Robert Plant (29) at the same venue. At the movement ticket are go on sale and will be announced more name for this year's BBC Electric Proms soon.

Neil Diamond Tribute Show

DESPITE his uncanny natural resemblance to the iconic singer songwriter, Neil Diamond, Sydney musician Peter Byrne has never lost his sense of self.
The Dublin born musician, his popular tribute show who has been performing Forever Diamond for almost two decades, in his performances he said always asserts his own, and is no mere Neil Diamond copyist.
“It’s not a typical tribute show. I’m not a clone, I don’t try to talk or look like him,” the 48 year old said.
“It is more of a tribute to his music.”
The Sydney based musician said he always enjoyed the music of Neil Diamond but it wasn’t until people began marvelling at his vocal similarity to the American artist that he started to learn and perform his songs.
He said, “There were a lot of tribute bands around at the time. People said it would have a longevity of five years”.
Eighteen years later, Byrne continues to perform his Forever Diamond show to adoring audiences at clubs and venues across Australia and internationally, playing such hits as Cherry Cherry, Crunchy Granola Suite, Sweet Caroline and Solitary Man to critical acclaim.
In 1996 he experienced a career highlight in when he came face to face with the actual Neil Diamond, who later wrote to Byrne to wish him luck for an upcoming performance.
Having first picked up a guitar at age 7, Byrne continues to perform as a musician in his own right. He harbours no confusion about where Neil Diamond ends and where Peter Byrne begins, and his self confidence is perhaps best expressed in his choice for a favourite Diamond song.
“I Am, I Said. The words and lyrics are true to life, it’s an amazing song,” he said.

At Mounties forever Diamond performs on Saturday, 7 August. For details, call 9822 3566.

At Harmon Meadow with the sounds of Neil Diamond, Secaucus Summer Concert Series opens Thursday

A Neil Diamond tribute band will kick off Secaucus' Summer Concert Series this Thursday at the Plaza Courtyard in Harmon Meadow.
Fans attending the show, which gets underway at 5:30 p.m., will be able to enjoy a variety of free food and family activities. The event is co-sponsored by Hartz Mountain Industries and the town of Secaucus, arrangers said.
Neil And The Diamonds' song list boasts all the essentials from the Diamond canon, including "Bluejeans," "Cracklin' Rosie," "Sweet Caroline," and "Coming to America."
The northern New Jersey band, A True Story, will warm up the crowd with its signature blend of modern rock, pop and metal.
While enjoying the music, Harmon Meadow restaurants and cafés will offer guests free food samples.
Participating restaurants and cafés include Houlihan's, Cheeseburger in Paradise, Cosi, Starbucks, Bazooka's and many more. Adding to the fun and festivities will be free face painting, balloon sculptures, and cotton candy.
"The Secaucus Summer Concert Series is a great chance for the residents of Secaucus and our neighbors to come out, look a show, and enjoy each others' company," said Secaucus Mayor Mike Gonnelli. This event is free.
The concert and fun will start at 5:30 p.m. and end at 8:30 at the Plaza Courtyard at 700 Plaza Drive in Harmon Meadow.
Guests are invited to bring lawn chairs, as there will be limited seating. The rain date is Friday from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Play Me - Neil Diamond

Stars Salute Neil Diamond At MusiCares Event

Good times never seemed so good for Neil Diamond as they did last night (Feb. 6). The pop icon was named MusiCares Person of the Year at the annual fundraiser for the charity, which helps musicians who have fallen on hard times."This is a great honor, of course," Diamond said at the event, which was held at the L.A. Convention Center and attracted a crowd of 2,200 people. "I've been writing music for a little over 50 years now, and it's hard to believe because it seems like yesterday."Diamond said he started taking guitar lessons as a child in a fit of depression after the Brooklyn Dodgers moved to Los Angeles. His parents bought him a guitar, and paid it off over the course of 10 weeks at the price of $1 a week."It was a good investment, mom," Diamond said to his mother Rose, who was in attendance. "You made the beginning of a life for me."A host of stars paid tribute to Diamond by performing his songs. The Jonas Brothers played "Forever in Blue Jeans," Jennifer Hudson belted out "Holly Holy" and Urge Overkill did its famed cover of "Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon" from the "Pulp Fiction" soundtrack.A Tejano band called Los Volcanes performed "Red Red Wine," a booking Diamond joked that happened after he called band member Eddie Rodriguez by accident, when he really meant to call Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder. "This is like the greatest karaoke night ever," noted host Jimmy Kimmel.Diamond closed the evening with a mini-set of his own, including a run through "You Don't Bring Me Flowers" with Faith Hill. The event was chaired by Ticketmaster Entertainment CEO Irving Azoff, Diamond's longtime business manager Marshall Gelfand and AEG President and CEO Tim Leiweke.Among the items auctioned off at the benefit were a customized 2009 Acura TL which went for $55,000 and a Britney Spears London Experience, which included business class airfare to see the "Circus" tour in London, for $30,000.In addition, Diamond donated his own perfectly restored 1956 Thunderbird for the auction, and Recording Academy President/CEO Neil Portnow bought it. He promised to take Diamond out for a ride.For Billboard.com's Grammy microsite, please click here.The complete set list:"Forever in Blue Jeans," the Jonas Brothers"Holly Holy," Jennifer Hudson"Cracklin' Rosie," Adele"Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon," Urge Overkill"I'm a Believer," Coldplay"Kentucky Woman," Chris Cornell"Solitary Man," Raul Malo"Love on the Rocks," Cassandra Wilson and Terence Blanchard"Red Red Wine," Los Volcanes"Hello Again," Tim McGraw"Delirious Love," Foo Fighters"Play Me," Josh GrobanNeil Diamond set:"Cherry, Cherry""Love on the Rocks""You Don't Bring Me Flowers" with Faith Hill"Pretty Amazing Grace""America""Sweet Caroline