Neil Diamond, diagnosed with Parkinson’s, retires from touring
Neil Diamond, who turns 77 on Wednesday, has announced his retirement from touring after revealing on his website Monday that he has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
The singer-songwriter and musician, who was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, has canceled the remaining dates of his 50th anniversary tour, which was set to take him through Australia and New Zealand in March.
“It is with great reluctance and disappointment that I announce my retirement from concert touring,” Diamond said in a statement. “I have been so honored to bring my shows to the public for the past 50 years.”
His website stated, “The onset of the disease has made it difficult to travel and perform on a large-scale basis.”
Diamond, who was born in Brooklyn in 1941, is scheduled to receive the lifetime achievement award at Sunday’s Grammy Awards.
He also performed last month on “Fox’s New Year’s Eve with Steve Harvey: Live from Times Square.”
Best known for his string of hits from the 1960s through the 1980s – karaoke bar staples such as “Sweet Caroline,” “America” and “Heartlight” – Diamond said he would remain active writing and recording.
He scored a No. 1 album with 2008’s Rick Rubin-produced Home Before Dark; received a Kennedy Honor in 2011; and released his latest album, “Acoustic Christmas,” in 2016.
“My thanks go out to my loyal and devoted audiences around the world,” Diamond said in the statement. “You will always have my appreciation for your support and encouragement. This ride has been ‘so good, so good, so good’ thanks to you.”
(San Francisco Chronicle/TNS)