Latest news with #NickFradiani
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Neil Diamond Gives Surprise Performance of 'Sweet Caroline' for 'A Beautiful Noise 'Audience
Neil Diamond surprised the audience of the July 12 matinee performance of A Beautiful Noise by singing "Sweet Caroline" in Los Angeles The musician retired from concert touring in 2018 after he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease His impromptu appearances to belt out the 1969 hit through the years has brought fans joyIt's impossible not to sing along to "Sweet Caroline" — especially when Neil Diamond has the mic. During the curtain call of the Saturday, July 12 matinee performance of A Beautiful Noise at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles, the 84-year-old singer surprised audiences with an impromptu performance of "Sweet Caroline." Nick Fradiani, who portrays Neil in the musical based on his life, introduced the legendary musician, who was seated in the orchestra section with a microphone in hand, ready to sing the 1969 song. After his performance, Neil greeted the cast and company of A Beautiful Noise backstage and spent time with them. The musical's Instagram account called Neil's appearance, "a moment we'll never forget." Days before, during the curtain call of the Los Angeles opening night of A Beautiful Noise on Wednesday, July 9, actor Fradiani, 39, paused the standing ovation to surprise the audience. "I've been doing this show for a long time now, and it's still an amazing feeling to perform Neil's songs for everybody. And we have a special guest here, a good friend of the show: Katie Diamond," he said, introducing Neil's wife. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 'This is really a special day for me, because as I'm sure many of you know, if you're a fan of Neil, that 'The Jazz Singer' was shot in this very venue for the live scenes. So it's really special, actually, for me to stand here on this stage." "It's very exciting. Also, I do have Neil on FaceTime, so please welcome on stage Neil Diamond," Katie, 53, added, showing off her phone screen, which featured Neil. She held her microphone to the phone speaker for him to sing the 1969 hit. Diamond has surprised fans with performances of "Sweet Caroline" through the years, including a massive sing-along in Times Square for New Year's Eve in December 2017. He made an appearance at Fenway Park in June 2022, where the song is played during the middle of the eighth inning at Boston Red Sox Games, and at the Broadway show's opening night in December later that year. The December 2022 performance marked the first time he had performed in his hometown since 2017. In January 2018, Neil announced that he was retiring from touring after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. "It is with great reluctance and disappointment that I announce my retirement from concert touring. I have been so honored to bring my shows to the public for the past 50 years," he said in a statement at the time. "My sincerest apologies to everyone who purchased tickets and were planning to come to the upcoming shows. I plan to remain active in writing, recording and other projects for a long time to come." "My thanks goes out to my loyal and devoted audiences around the world. You will always have my appreciation for your support and encouragement. This ride has been 'so good, so good, so good' thanks to you." In March 2023, Neil opened up about his Parkinson's disease diagnosis, saying that he had accepted it several years later. "Somehow, a calm has moved in, and the hurricane of my life, and things have gotten very quiet, as quiet as this recording studio," he said during an appearance on CBS Sunday Mornings. "And, I like it. I find that I like myself better. I'm easier on people. I'm easier on myself. And the beat goes on, and it will go on long after I'm gone." Read the original article on People
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Neil Diamond, 84, bravely returns to the stage amid devastating Parkinson's battle
Neil Diamond delivered a deeply moving surprise performance at the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles over the weekend. Seven years after retiring from touring following his Parkinson's disease diagnosis, the beloved 84-year-old music legend stunned the audience with an impromptu rendition of his 1969 classic, Sweet Caroline, from his seat in the crowd. The incredible moment happened as the Grammy Award-winning legend attended the musical, A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical, which tells the story of his life and career through his music. In a touching Instagram video from the show, the musical's lead, Nick Fradiani, introduced Diamond—who didn't miss a beat as he began to sing, his voice ringing out strong and familiar, as the entire room joined in. Despite his health battle, his spirit and voice soared, filling the theatre with joy and nostalgia. By his side stood his wife, Katie McNeil, visibly moved as she watched him sing. As the audience erupted in cheers, he turned to her and gave her a sweet kiss on the cheek. After leading the crowd in son, Diamond expressed his gratitude to those around him. The comments section was flooded with sweet messages as fans called his performance electric. 'I was lucky enough to be in the room. Great show, wonderful surprise, still have goosebumps. Thank you!!' one shared. Another gushed: 'Story teller, song writer, musician, poet, all put together in a name to live on in music forever, glad to be part of the generation living with Neil Diamond.' 'Omg that was incredible, I'm so glad I got to see this,' a third raved. On Sunday, Fradiani, who stars as Diamond in the Broadway musical, shared his heartwarming reaction to the Forever In Blue Jeans hitmaker attending the show. 'I built up this day in my head for over 2 years. The day where Neil Diamond himself would see this show,' he wrote on Instagram. 'It sounds cliché, but I don't have the exact words to describe how it felt portraying a music icon as he sat and watched from an audience. But mostly I felt honored and fulfilled.' Fradiani concluded: 'He's a great man, a great musician, and he's changed so many of our lives. I was able to tell him how much he's changed mine. Thank you for letting me share your songs and story across the country every night my friend.' The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer's numerous hits include Sweet Caroline, America, Love on the Rocks and Hello Again. Diamond has sold well over 125 million records over his 50 year career and is in both the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. The hitmaker was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1941 and previously described his upbringing, with a father in the Army, as 'poor.' He got his first guitar at age 16 for his birthday. However, he did not pursue music immediately. It was only after attending New York University as a pre-med student, on a fencing scholarship, that he discovered his true calling. Finding himself bored in class he began cutting school to write music and less than a semester shy of graduating he dropped out of college for a songwriting gig at Sunbeam Music Publishing for $50 a week. In 2023, Diamond reflected on his Parkinson's disease diagnosis and learning to live with the condition. 'I'm still doing it. And I don't like it,' he explained on CBS Sunday Morning. 'OK, so this is the hand that God's given me, and I have to make the best of it, and so I am.' The I Am I Said crooner first revealed his condition in 2018, though he was diagnosed more than a decade ago and said of that time that he was 'in denial' and 'not ready to accept it.' 'I was in denial for the first year or two. When the doctor told me what it was, I was just not ready to accept it,' he admitted. 'I said, "Oh, OK. I'll see you, you know, whenever you wanna see me. But I have work to do, so I'll see you later."' The singer explained that it took years for him to truly accept his diagnosis. 'I can't really fight this thing, so I had to accept it, this Parkinson's disease,' he said. 'There's no cure. There's no getting away from it.' Overall, he said he's 'come to accept what limitations' he has and still has 'great days.' Since his acceptance, he said, 'a calm has moved into the hurricane of my life, and things have gotten very quiet, as quiet as this recording studio.' 'I find that I like myself better,' he continued. 'I'm easier on people, I'm easier on myself. And the beat goes on, and it will go on long after I'm gone.' The Song Sung Blue singer is celebrating the fact that he can still sing and he hasn't totally given up on the idea of touring again someday - even if its in a limited way. 'I just have to take life as it comes to me, enjoy it, be thankful that I've had it, especially having the life that I've had,' he said. Since his acceptance, he said, 'a calm has moved into the hurricane of my life, and things have gotten very quiet, as quiet as this recording studio.' 'I find that I like myself better,' he continued. 'I'm easier on people, I'm easier on myself. And the beat goes on, and it will go on long after I'm gone.' Parkinson's disease is the fastest growing neurological condition in the world and there is currently no cure. It causes muscle stiffness, slowness of movement, tremors, sleep disturbance, chronic fatigue, an impaired quality of life and can lead to severe disability. It is a progressive neurological condition that destroys cells in the part of the brain that controls movement. Sufferers are known to have diminished supplies of dopamine because nerve cells that make it have died. Around 18,000 Brits and 90,000 Americans are diagnosed every year, with charities estimating that one in 37 people alive today will be diagnosed in their lifetime. Celebrities who have battled the condition include Michael J. Fox, Muhammad Ali, Billy Connolly, Alan Alda, George H.W. Bush and Ozzy Osbourne.
