Biography of Neil Diamond

1. Biography of Neil Diamond BY Ryan Hayes

2. Early Life • Neil Diamond was born on January 24, 1941 • His Parents were Jewish immigrants from poland named Akeeba his father and Rose his mother • As a young boy he would do the casual things like go to school, play with friends, and help around the house • When he turned 15 his parents gave him an acoustic guitar which was when he started to appreciate and love music. • While he was 15 he wrote his first song called Hear them bells but never took interest in recording it until later on in his life.

3. Early Life Continued • He went to Brooklyn Erasmus high school where he and his friend Jack formed a duo and sang at Long Island’s Little Neck Country Club. • The two made a record for Shell Records but it did not turn out successful as they thought it would. • While in high school Diamond took fencing and was given a scholarship to New York University for a pre-med program in hopes of becoming a doctor someday. • But he dropped out of it because he loved music more than becoming a doctor.

4. Start of his Career • He came upon a songwriter and record producing team of Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich which gave him a shot with Bang Records • In 1962 Bang Records signed with him because of his song called At Night • It wasn’t all that big but in 1966 he had his first big break being Solitary Man and Cherry Cherry • Shortly after he joined with “The Monkees” where they recorded I’m a believer with him. • In 1967 Diamond wrote Red Red Wine which wasn’t a huge hit until UB40 in1988 remixed it with reggae style • A year later he wrote Shiloh as well as writing a book named Brooklyn Roads • With his fantastic start Diamond was loved by both old and young audiences, but he was criticized by some though because of his wide variety of themes in his music.

5. The 1970s • IN 1969 Diamond left Bang Records and signed with California Uni Label • That same year he wrote three stunning hits them being; Sweet Caroline, Holly Holly, and Brothers Love Traveling Salvation Show. • Two years later in 1971 Diamond signed a 5 million dollar contract with Columbia Records • Throughout the 70s Diamond wrote many and very unique songs like Cracklin Rosie, Crunchy Granola Suite, He Ain’t Heavy… He’s My Brother, I am… I said, Song Sung Blue, Desiree, Forever in Blue Jeans, and You don’t Bring Me Flowers

6. The Jazz Singer • In the 1980s Diamond encountered probably his most difficult task, of doing a remake on “The Jazz Singer” • With all the singing within the film he was tasked to write new songs for it. • Some of the biggest hits for the album were Love on the Rocks, America, and Hello Again. • Just with these three songs “The Jazz Singer” sold over six million copies of its soundtrack

7. The 90s • In 1988 Diamond released another album called “The Best Years of Our Life” • With the help of David Foster who helped produce and co-write some of the songs for the album. • In 1991 producer Peter Asher helped Diamond with another Album named “Lovescape” • One year later Diamond released his first seasonal collection titled “Neil Diamond’s Christmas Special.” • In January 1993 Diamond re-signed with Columbia Records to release and produce six more albums with them • While working on these albums Diamond went on many tours around the world to spread his popularity to everyone

8. Interesting Facts • Diamond came up with Cracklin Rosie after going to an Indian reservation and had a drink of wine called Cracklin Rosie • Crunchy Granola Suite was written after Diamond was into eating healthy food and wanted to write about it. • Diamond wrote more songs full of emotion than his unique and fun uplifting songs like He ain’t heavy…He’s my Brother • I am…I said took four months to complete • The majority of his songs were completed within a day or so.

9. Forever in blue jeans • 0:00-0:22 Introduction • Drum Enters in quadruple meter • Guitar Enters in quadruple meter • 0:23-0:43 Chorus • Soft chorus to start off with • Voice enters • Guitar and Drums still play in quadruple meter • 0:44-1:04 Verse 1 • Piano joins in with voice guitar and drums still play in quadruple meter • 1:05-1:28 Verse 2 • Instruments play the melody one by one playing right after the other • Voice still sings • Still in quadruple meter • The volume starts to ascend • 1:29-1:49 Chorus • Volume now ascended to its peak • Voice Piano Drums and Guitar still play • 1:50-2:10 Repeat of Verse 1 • Verse one is repeated with the piano, drum, and guitar playing in quadruple meter still • Can still hear the voice singing • 2:11-2:33 Repeat of Verse 2 • Verse two is repeated but with the chimes joining • Piano plays and gets louder at the end of each stanza • 2:34-2:57 Repeat of Chorus • The Chorus is repeated • Getting louder • All instruments playing • 2:58-2:3:13 Repeat of the last half of Verse 1 • The last half of verse one Is repeated but it is played like the chorus • Starting to get quieter • 3:14-3:27 Coda • Repeats the last half of the chorus as it get quieter and ends • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfxLT_JQFfE

10. Sweet Caroline • 0:00-0:14 Introduction • Guitar, Trumpet, Trombone play • All join in one after the other plays the triple meter • 0:15-0:43 Verse 1 • Voice Begins to sing • Guitar Plays • Drums plays every other beat • 0:44-1:02 Bridge • Drums continue to play every other beat • Build up to the Chorus • 1:03-1:25 Chorus • Trumpets play, Voice sings, can hear the accompany of backup singers • 1:26-1:54 Verse 2 • Voice sings • Trombones Play • Drums play every other beat • 1:55-2:13 Bridge • Repeat of the bridge • Build up again for the chorus • 2:14-2:36 Chorus • Louder than the first time the Chorus played • Trumpets play, backup singers can be heard • Can still hear the main singer • 2:37-2:49 2nd Bridge • Repeat of the intro • Guitar, Trumpet, and Trombone play • Each join in after one plays the triple meter once • No Voice • 2:50-3:21 Coda • Song ends with the chorus being repeated • Starts to die down • Trumpets, Trombones play • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzXt7YvK9Hw