By Joseph Martinez -
The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce
honored the legendary singer/songwriter Neil Diamond with his star on
the Hollywood Walk of Fame on August 10, 2012. “We finally were able to
pin him down for a date to dedicate his star. This is one busy man and
we are thrilled to honor this legendary performer,” stated Walk of Fame
producer Ana Martinez.
Neil Diamond’s eclectic and universally
beloved songs—as well as his charismatic and openhearted performances of
them—continue to make him an international force both as a record maker
and a live entertainer as he continuously sells out major arenas and
venues around the world. Diamond has a remarkable track record of 16
Top Ten albums and 37 Top Ten singles. This Grammy-winning artist rock
icon has been a Kennedy Center honoree, inducted into the Rock and Roll
Hall of Fame and Songwriter’s Hall of Fame and is a recipient of the
Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award. Among Diamond’s many other
notable honors, he has received a Golden Globe Award, thirteen Grammy
nominations and was named the 2009 MusiCares Person of the Year.
On hand for the event that also commemorates the 40th Anniversary of the seminal album, "Hot August Night", was guest speaker Randy Newman and Diamond's third wife, Katie McNeil Diamond. (photo by © 2012 Joe Martinez/PictureLux)
Neil Diamond Trivia per IMDB.com:
- Ran away from his home in Brooklyn at the age of 13 and went to the Midwest where he formed a musical group called The Roadrunners. They performed in coffeehouses for two years, after which Neil went home.
- Seriously considered "Eyce Charry" and "Noah Kaminsky" for his professional name.
- Screen-tested for the lead in the movie Lenny (1974), based on the life of famed comedian Lenny Bruce, but turned it down.
- When he and Barbra Streisand had a smash hit in 1978 with "You Don't Bring Me Flowers", it was not the first time that the Brooklyn-born superstars had sung together. While students at New York City's Erasmus High School, they both sang in the school choir.
- Penned hits for other pop groups before making it on his own, including The Monkees' "I'm a Believer.".
- For his role in The Jazz Singer (1980), Diamond became the first ever "Winner" of a Worst Actor 'Razzie' Award.
- Was forced to pay $150,000,000 to former wife Marcia Murphey in their divorce settlement. Is the most expensive divorce in history up to that date.
- Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on March 14, 2011.
View a full gallery of celebrity photos from this event at pictureluximages.com
