Neil Diamond is that rare breed of pop music icon who has notched a presence on the charts – either Top 40 or Adult Contemporary – every decade since the 1960s.
But, while some contemporaries – such as Rod Stewart – opt to spend the twilight of their career in a bow tie singing other people’s hits or – such as Billy Joel – don’t record anything at all, Diamond has enjoyed a critical resurgence with his past two albums.
It began in 2005 with “12 Songs,” a tremendously moving collection of stripped compositions produced by veteran rock guru Rick Rubin.
Then, this May, Diamond experienced a career first – his “Home Before Dark” album (also produced by Rubin) debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard chart. Believe it or not, it’s Diamond’s first chart-topper, and with it, the 67-year-old singer/songwriter booted Bob Dylan out of the record for oldest performer to have a No. 1 record.
A few days before the tour kickoff, Diamond talked to reporters about the show, the new record and what the future might hold.
Q. Can just give us the rundown on the look and the feel of the new tour?
A. The look is different. It’s a completely new stage. The lighting grid is different. It’s pretty impressive, I think. I think my lighting director really did herself this time and came up with some spectacular looks, as well as very intimate moments as well, because the music is varied and it goes to both of those spectrums. I think she did a wonderful job.
Basically, I’m trying to cover a lifetime of music and to be as close up to the audience as I possibly can. So the stage and the lighting and the choice of the songs that we use in the set, and the sequencing of the songs are all based on that, connecting with the audience in a way, as best I can really.
Q. With the new record and its predecessor even, would you say that you’re trying to branch out and reach out to a slightly younger demographic, and maybe even reinvent yourself a little bit?
A. No, I like the way I was invented originally. I’ve kind of gotten used to it. This is just another step, that’s all. I’ve been taking steps since the beginning, from “Cherry Cherry” to “I Am… I Said” to “America” to Christmas music to “Home Before Dark.”
It’s me. I’m not reaching out for anybody but the audience that wants to listen. That’s all. I’m not doing anything logical. I’m not pre-planning anything. Maybe I would have had a better career if I had and thought it out, but it was all based on how well I could write the songs, and how good the songs would be, and how the audience took it to their hearts, or not, and it’s still that way – exactly that way.
Q. What’s it like to have an album debut at number one after all these years?
A. Well, I didn’t actually think it was my first number one. Somehow in my mind, I don’t know what the opposite of a state of denial was, but I thought for sure I had a number one album somewhere along the way. I thought “Hot August Nights” was number one, but then I was told it only went to number two, so I was crestfallen.
It’s a nice feeling to be number one. It’s very nice. I enjoyed every moment of the time that I was number one, and I enjoyed the fact that people became aware that it was my first number one and they were a little amazed at that. Also, I’m told that I’m also the oldest performer on Billboard charts ever to have a number one album, which amazes me.
I don’t feel that old. I feel very young, but it’s nice to feel that in this market that’s filled with young people, or seems to be aimed at young people, that an old geezer can come along and knock a few of them off their perches and say hey, here’s for the senior citizens, and we can kick a little butt too.
Q. How do you maintain that energy [for your live shows]?
A. The secret is the audience. It has very little to do with me. It’s the audience. They establish the atmosphere and the ambience, and I only reflect it, and when they’re happy, I’m happy, and when they’re excited, I’m excited, and I just want to do a show as well as I possibly can. I want to sing as well as I can, but the energy does come from the audience, and I only reflect it…
The audience knows a bunch of these songs, and they want to join in and sing-along and I’m happy to have them do it. I take it as a compliment and I enjoy the experience as well. As long as they know that I’m the main singer, they can do with the songs whatever they like. I’ve heard some pretty horrendous notes out there, but they’re welcome to sing.
Q. But the one thing that hasn’t aged is your music…is it because you’re one of the few performers who has never followed trends?
A. I was never good enough to, because to follow a trend you have to be able to know what the trend is, you have to be able to copy it, and you have to know enough about music to be a good imitator, and I’ve never been that. I’ve always had to follow my own thing, because it was the only thing I could do. It was the only thing I felt I could do well. So, I haven’t followed any trends. To me, trends don’t exist. The only trend is music. Either it’s good or it’s bad. Either it’s beautiful or it’s not. Either it involves the listener or it doesn’t. Either it moves me when I perform it or not. These are the considerations.
Q. Do you see anybody on the scene now who you think has the possibility of having a career like yours, the length and success of your career?
A. There are a lot of talented people out there, but to go for a long time and to try and remain productive, that’s, I think, in the hands of the gods. Luck has a lot to do with it. I’ve seen more talented people than I fall by the side of the road. Road kill in a business and a world that can be very cynical and very difficult and has lots of traps and potholes, so I do believe that good luck and maybe a little karma plays a part in this whole scenario.
I also think that you have to absolutely be in love with what you’re doing if you want to be around for awhile, because you’re around for as long as you want to be around. Nobody will stop you from making music.
It’s not like if you’re a movie actor. You’re around as long as they want you in a movie, but a musician or a writer can always, till their dying day, make music. I think a lot of that comes from inside the person themselves, their motivation, and their passion for it. I would say that’s an important element as well.
Q. You’re in the middle of a tour and everything. Have you thought at all about what your next musical project or album might be? Do you see foresee going back with Rick and those guys and continuing this path?
A. I’m so much into this project now, this tour, and the completion of this album, I really haven’t sat down and logically tried to figure out where I go to next. I’m just going to enjoy this, all the wonderful fallout from the release of “Home Before Dark” and the wonderful response to the show. I’m just committed to enjoying the hell out of it and not thinking about anything else for awhile.
Maybe in six months from now I’ll really start to think seriously about what’s next. I have a feeling it will have something to do with music. That’s all I know.
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