“I want to stay productive. “We’ll laugh, and then we all get in a circle and one person gets in the middle and we all go ‘WhooOoOoOoooOop!’ Then we’re ready to go!” On off nights, he regularly treated the 80-strong entourage to movie outings, renting out entire theaters for the occasion. It’s like, ‘Let’s put our clothes on and go and have some fun and sing and dance,’” Maxine tells PEOPLE. “It brings back memories – very deep, loving and warm memories,” he said of his performance. His performance, at the Keep Memory Alive charity’s Power of Love Gala, helped raise money for the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health. Neil Diamond is set to create another Beautiful Noise – by making a comeback at 79. “It’s not work, that’s for sure! “I’m glad to still be around. “He looked after us and always made us feel special,” Julia says. In the final minutes of 2017, Neil Diamond stood before more than a million revelers braving the subzero chill to celebrate New Year’s Eve in New York City’s Times Square. For more on Neil Diamond’s last tour and his brave fight against Parkinson’s disease, pick up the latest issue of PEOPLE — on newsstands Friday. The Senate confirms Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court, officially giving conservatives a 6-3 majority on the bench, retired from the road due to Parkinson’s disease, Neil Diamond thanks fans for 'outpouring of love' after Parkinson's diagnosis, Alan Alda reveals he has Parkinson's disease, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. “He loves family, so our whole organization is like a big family,” says Julia. You'll get the latest updates on this topic in your browser notifications. He retired from touring in January 2018 to battle Parkinson’s disease. I do my workouts. Birthdays were always recognized with onstage shout-outs, and at the end of each tour Diamond always made a point of thanking each member of his massive crew by name. Coyote Ugly Turns 20: Where Is the Cast Now? Many of the members, including the Waters’ sisters, have been with him for nearly four decades. “You just have to be there and let the moment happen. In March, Neil played a medley of hits during a rare public appearance in Las Vegas. I’m in pretty good shape. on the 'Settling Down' Video, Widowed Mom of 4 Gives Back to Nonprofit That Helped Her Family Before Husband's Death, Common on the 'Extremely Significant' Election, What He Learned on the Campaign Trail & Why He Backs Biden, See All the Celebs Taking RV Trips This Summer, The Sweetest Photos of Princes Harry with Diana, From Empty Streets to Virtual Weddings: What Life Has Looked Like During the Coronavirus Pandemic. “Even though nobody could know this would be Neil’s final tour I feel like we all lived like it: so many dear memories made and lots of laughs,” he says. I want to stay productive. He always lets you know that he cares.”. The 77-year-old canceled planned concerts when he announced he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in January. I take my meds. The singer was forced to cancel his 50th ­anniversary tour dates in Australia and New Zealand on doctor’s advice in 2018. It’s a special experience for me.”, He said he re-watched the 2012 footage recently as it was edited for the new release, and he calls it “one of the best live performances that I’ve done and I’m proud of it.”, “I love the chemistry with the audience and myself. I’m active. That’s part of the thrill of the whole thing. After years of dreaming, he got to live his childhood dream of hitting the road with his two idols — his father and Diamond — on the 50th anniversary excursion. I still have my boys. Before each show, the man affectionately known as “Number One” insists on telling jokes to ensure everyone hits the stage with a smile. It’s a powerful tool.”, Diamond is one of music’s best-selling singers with a number of hit songs, from “Sweet Caroline” to “America” to “Love on the Rocks.”. He’s comfortable with the circumstances, but it’s heartbreaking to see that he is leaving behind a part of what he really loves to do. Some songs deal with his career and reflect on his plight but there is a lot of uplifting material. “Well, I’m doing pretty well. “This ride has been ‘so good, so good, so good’ thanks to you.”, His diagnosis came as a surprise even to longtime members of his traveling band. I’m feeling good. I just can’t do the traveling that I once did, but I have my wife there supporting me (and) friends,” he said in an interview with The Associated Press. “Stevie Wonder is just one of the stars working on the project.”. NEW YORK – Neil Diamond may have retired from the road due to Parkinson’s disease, but he said he’s working hard to get back onstage. https://parade.com/31344/davidbrowne/31-neil-diamond-on-life-marriage-music “I’m feeling better every day, dealing with it as best as I can and keeping music coming.”. I’m active. I’m feeling better every day,” he added. If you would like to opt out of browser push notifications, please refer to the following instructions specific to your device and browser: Neil Diamond's Parkinson's Fight: Inside the Music Legend's Triumphant Last Tour. Text us for exclusive photos and videos, royal news, and way more. Neil, whose hits include Sweet Caroline and Cracklin’ Rosie, will duet with pal Stevie Wonder on one track. Let that relationship with the audience express itself. “No prompter, no paper, no nothing!” marvels Maxine. I want to do it,” he said. “He wants to make another album before he turns 80. “It speaks volumes that he still has the desire to make music at his age – and with his medical condition. Neil, who is managed by his third wife Katie, 49, says of his Parkinson’s: “I’m doing pretty well. “Playing there and doing music relating to the audience, it was special. I’m active. His new album will be out by Christmas. I do my workouts. NEW YORK – Neil Diamond may have retired from the road due to Parkinson’s disease, but he said he’s working hard to get back onstage. “He sent us a nice letter. He said he’s not sure he can perform more than one song at the moment, but added: “The only way I could find out is to actually do it.”, “But I think I can and I will give it a try at some point,” he added. Leading the crowd through “Sweet Caroline,” his 1969 smash and perpetual party starter, good times never seemed so good for the music icon. Neil Diamond is set to create another Beautiful Noise – by making a comeback at 79. It’s out on Friday. Parkinson’s disease put a stop to the vibrant and tireless performer. It was a shock to us just as it was to everyone else.”. He last performed a full show at the Forum in Los Angeles in August 2017. “Neil is such a big part of my life. Throughout the years of hits and accolades, including his 2011 induction into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame, touring would be a pillar of Diamond’s life. “I plan to remain active in writing, recording and other projects for a long time to come,” he said in a statement, before thanking his legions of loyal fans. I take my meds. https://people.com/music/neil-diamond-parkinsons-fight-inside-last-tour As a child, he recalls collecting dislodged sequins from the singer’s flamboyant stage costumes after each show. Hitmaker Neil is defiant and ready to rock once again, Subscribe to Daily Mirror and Sunday Mirror newspapers, Neil Diamond fans fear he is dead after he trends because of public spirited washing hands video, Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan in secret Glastonbury reunion talks, Strictly bosses 'monitoring' Maisie Smith and HRVY 'to enforce show's kissing ban', Strictly Come Dancing bosses are said to be keeping a close eye on contestants Maisie Smith and HRVY after the pair engaged in some flirty banter. His voice was nice and strong on this tour,” Julia Waters, who sang backup on the 50th Anniversary trek alongside her sister Maxine, tells PEOPLE. His voice is so strong and vibrant, it felt like the years all fall away.”. Rehearsals for the Australia leg were due to commence when they received word of the cancellation a day before it made headlines. Introducing ... PEOPLE's Products Worth the Hype, Neil Diamond stood before more than a million revelers, canceling the remainder of his tour and announcing his immediate retirement. “Well, I’m doing pretty well. Get push notifications with news, features and more. Nothing says a family vacation like an RV, Princess Diana died when Harry was just 12 years old, It's looked — and felt — like a whole different world as we've been social distancing and attempting to keep each other safe, Go Behind-the-Scenes with Miranda Lambert (and Her Husband and Horse!) “When I look back at the 50th anniversary tour, Neil absolutely wound up on top. “Just dealing with it as best I can, and just keep the music coming.”. “He makes everybody under his umbrella feel like they’re his best friend. The two-hour-plus performance featuring 33 songs celebrated the 40th anniversary of his original “Hot August Night” live album, also recorded at the Greek in August 1972. He performed 10 shows at the venue that month. His father, Richard, is a longtime collaborator of Diamond’s in the studio and onstage throughout the ’70s. Let yourself connect with the audience. Guitarist Nick Bennett is a second-generation member of the Road Team. 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