Neil Diamond discusses living with Parkinson’s disease: ‘I was just not ready to accept it’
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Musician provides a rare and open interview about the 2018 diagnosis, which resulted to his retirement from performing.
Neil Diamond has delivered an open interview about living with Parkinson’s disease, admitting that he only recently accepted his diagnosis.
During an appearance on CBS Sunday Morning, the 82-year-old artist said to journalist Anthony Mason that he was in denial “for the first year or two” following his diagnosis in 2018.
“When the doctor told me what it was, I was just not ready to accept it,” he informed me. “I said, ‘Oh, OK, I’ll see you whenever you want to see me, but I have work to do, so I’ll see you later.'”
Diamond, the singer-songwriter who wrote classic songs including Sweet Caroline and Cracklin’ Rosie, said acceptance had given him peace of mind.
“I believe this occurred during the last few weeks. But, somehow, a calm has settled over the hurricane of my existence, and things have become extremely quiet.
And I like it. I’ve discovered that I like myself better. I’m kinder to people. I’m easier on myself, and the beat continues long after I’m gone.”
Even yet, he warned Mason, acceptance is a challenging process.
“I’m still doing it and I don’t like it,” he told me. “OK, so this is the hand that God has dealt me, and I must make the best of it.” And so I am.
“There is no cure; there is no escaping it. You can’t simply say, “OK, enough already, let’s get back to life.” It does not operate like that. But I’ve learned to accept my limits and still have excellent days.”
Diamond’s diagnosis in 2018 cancelled the Australian portion of his 50th anniversary tour. He has already played gigs in the United States and Europe before announcing his retirement from touring.
The CBS interview also discussed the Broadway musical A Beautiful Noise, which premiered in December and is based on Diamond’s life and music.
“The show is part of my psychotherapy, and it hurt,” he stated.
“I did not like seeing myself in several of the scenes… I felt a little ashamed, flattered, and afraid.”
Diamond stunned the audience on the first night of A Beautiful Noise with a chorus of Sweet Caroline on stage, one of his first public appearances since retiring.
“I can still sing,” he stated during the CBS interview. “I have been doing it for 50 years and enjoy it. It’s as if all of my mental and physical processes are operating together.
“I’ve had a pretty amazing life, it’s true.”
