Neil Diamond on life as a solitary man

May 18 2008 Exclusive by Billy Sloan, Showbiz Editor

WHEN Neil Diamond walks on stage at Hampden Park in Glasgow this summer he will be met with a wave of emotion from loyal Scots fans.

But few members of the 50,000-strong audience will realise the price their idol has paid for five decades of phenomenal success.

The US superstar claims his obsession with work - songwriting and making records - means he does not have any close friends.

By his own admission, he shuts himself away and can only look on with envy when he sees others enjoying a normal family life.

After two broken marriages - which produced four children - the 67-year-old is living the lyrics of his 1966 hit song Solitary Man.

But he wouldn't have it any other way.

He said: "Personal relationships? I have none. I have no friends and it's just impossible to have relationships.

"My closest friend is a fellow I went to high school with. I haven't seen him in four years. Not spoken to him in three and haven't written to him in two.

"And he will always be my closest friend. I have people I love but not friends in the usual way.

"Does it sadden me? It's my life...it's just what it is.

"I see photographs of people who are friends and I would like to be able to call somebody up and just chat or go out for a beer. As it is, I don't have that.

"I'm very envious of people. My brother - who I adore - is surrounded by friends. His life is all about social situations. I see it and I want it...but I never have it.

"It's the price I have to pay and I have absolutely no complaints. I make this journey, for the most part, alone."

As a performer, Diamond has done it all. His hits Cracklin' Rosie, Sweet Caroline and Beautiful Noise have helped build a multi-million dollar fortune.

His compositions have been recorded by Elvis Presley, Barbra Streisand and Johnny Cash and earned him a coveted place in the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Surprisingly, it is only now that Diamond - who has sold more than 150 million records worldwide - is on the brink of chalking up his first ever No.1 album.

His latest CD, Home Before Dark - recorded with Beastie Boys' producer Rick Rubin - is being tipped to top the UK charts tonight.

Diamond - who hits Hampden on June 5 - revealed success will again come at a price.

He said: "It would be amazing if I had a No.1 album and beyond all my expectations at this point in my life.

"Making the record for the last 15 months has meant there has been nothing else on my horizon.

"I have not read a single newspaper. I have not seen a single movie or television show. I've not gone to a baseball game - or seen one on TV - which is my big passion.

"I've only occasionally seen my family. It's not that I planned it that way. It's just what my world is.

"When I'm working, I suppose people keep away from me. I try to act like I'm normal but I don't really want to be involved with people other than working people.

"It's not a normal way to live...just what is required. For me, the music begins and I don't stop dancing until it's over. It's pretty intense and I'm very relieved to be out of that cycle now."

When Diamond hits the road for his biggest ever UK tour his bizarre life will take on a bit more normality.

He said: "I'll be able to interact with people - laugh and have fun. "

Diamond was born into a Jewish Russian-Polish family in Brooklyn, New York, and signed his first record deal in 1960 at the age of 19.

He thought he would be lucky to have 18 months of success. Little did he know.

He said: "Writing songs comes naturally to me. I've been doing this since I was 16. When I was 25, I thought, 'Gee, if I can do this for a year or two wouldn't it be great?'"

He learned his craft in the legendary Brill Building in New York, the music publishing house which produced writers such as Neil Sedaka, Paul Simon and Carole King.

His earliest success came in 1966 when his songs I'm A Believer and A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You were recorded by The Monkees.

That success led to Diamond kicke starting a career with the classic Cracklin' Rosie in 1970 and becoming one of the world's biggest recording artists. Now Diamond has come to terms with the fact his time as a performer is running out.

He said: "At this time in my life each new song is more important because I see a limited horizon.

"I'm in the twilight of my existence and I can't deny it any more. So every word and note is considered to be my last.

"I don't have many more chances so I really have to make it count."

But he added: "The bottom line is I'll do this as long as I'm physically able.When I'm not, I'll put it aside and not be very happy about it. I'll have to cross that bridge when I come to it.

But I'd like to think I can do this for ever."

For his Hampden gig, Diamond has consulted a sports nutritionist who works with marathon runners and Olympic cyclists.

He said: "Standing on stage for two hours holding a guitar is terrific for getting me into shape. It's an exhausting exercise.

"I'm trying to learn as I get older to be able to cope with the demands on my body. The nutritionist told me that until now I'd been doing my concerts on pure adrenalin. Now, the goal is to have something in the tank."

Diamond is counting the days until Hampden and the massive show will be a warm up for when he makes his debut at the Glastonbury Festival later in June.

He said: "I'm very affectionate towards Scotland. Why is that? Because they love me. I must have Scottish roots - there's definitely a tie to Scotland.

"There must be something which draws us together. I certainly wouldn't go back to Scotland - ever - if I felt there was any discordance between myself and the audience there."

And talking of Glastonbury - where he will share a bill with US rapper Jay-Z and Scots rockers The Fratellis - he said finally: "Do I know what I'm letting myself in for? No. I just thought it would be fun.

"I will know if it's been a good idea playing Glastonbury the moment I walk on that stage."

MAILFILE

HE was born Neil Leslie Diamond into a Jewish Russian-Polish family in Brooklyn, New York, on January 24, 1941.

At school, he sang in the choir with classmate Barbra Streisand. The pair would later score a worldwide hit with the duet You Don't Bring Me Flowers.

In 1963, he married sweetheart Jaye Posner and they had two daughters, Marjorie and Elyn. The couple split six years later.

Diamond's first big break as a songwriter was in 1966 when The Monkees recorded I'm A Believer and A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You.

His songs have been recorded by Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and Cliff Richard.

In 1967, Lulu hit No.6 with The Boat That IRowwhileUB40 topped the UK charts in 1983 with Red Red Wine.

In 1969, he wed Marcia Murphey and they had two sons, Jesse and Micah. They divorced in 1995.

His solo career began in 1970 with Cracklin' Rosie. His string of hits include classics Sweet Caroline, I Am I Said, Song Sung Blue and Beautiful Noise.

In 1972, Diamond performed a 10-night sell-out run at the famous Greek Theatre in Los Angeles.

The shows were taped for Hot August Night, regarded as one of the best live albums in rock history.

Diamond's duet with Streisand happened by accident after both artists recorded You Don't Bring Me Flowers independently and a US disc jockey "mixed" their versions. It inspired them to go into a studio and record it together. It hit No.1 in 1978.

In 1980, Diamond starred in The Jazz Singer - a remake of the Al Jolson biopic - opposite Sir Laurence Olivier. His performance earned a Golden Globe nomination - and a Worst Actor Razzie.

In 1996, Diamond was romantically linked with Rachel Farley, who handled the merchandise on his Australian tour.

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