The Parkinson’s disease that Neil Diamond has is something he is learning to accept.
In an interview that will air this weekend on CBS Sunday Morning, the 82-year-old “Hello Again” singer claims that it has only been “in the last few weeks” that he has accepted his diagnosis, which he first disclosed in 2018.
In spite of this, Anthony Mason, a reporter, claims that “the cyclone of my life has passed and things have grown quite quiet, as quiet as this recording studio.”.
And I like it. I have come to appreciate myself more. I’m kinder to myself and other people, and the beat will keep on even after I’m gone. “.
The musician stopped touring five years ago, but that hasn’t stopped him from interacting with his devoted fans.
He states in the interview, “I’m still doing it. However, I have to accept who I am. “And I’m willing to do it, and, OK, so this is the hand that God has dealt me; I have to make the best of it, and I am. “.
The New York native stunned fans and audience members in December during a performance of A Beautiful Noise, a musical based on his life.
He spontaneously performed his well-known song “Sweet Caroline.”.
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It was a rare opportunity to see the musical legend perform in his hometown after he last did so in 2017.
Before his surprise curtain-call singalong and entrance into the theater to a standing ovation, Diamond strolled the red carpet with his wife, Katie McNeil. When he stood up from his box seat in the audience and began speaking, the audience cheered and sang along to the 1969 pop classic.
During the discussion on Sunday, Mason queries the famous person about the aspect of seeing his younger self portrayed on stage that he found the most difficult.
Diamond remembers, “It was all pretty difficult. I confess that I felt a mixture of shame, flattery, and fear. “.
What were you scared of, Mason queries.
“Because we all have a façade and the truth be known to all, getting discovered is the scariest thing you can hope for. I’m not a well-known celebrity. I’m just me, Diamond says.