In a free interview, Neil Diamond talked about his Parkinson’s disease experience and admitted that he has only lately finally got accustomed to it.
The musician – who is now 82 – said that he was in denial “for the first year or two” after receiving his diagnosis back in 2018, according to reporter Anthony Mason, during an appearance on CBS Sunday Morning.
“I was just not ready to admit it when the doctor revealed what it was,” he commented. “Oh, all right, anytime you want to see me, I’ll see you later because I have work to do,” I told him.
Diamond, the singer-songwriter of such well-loved songs as “Cracklin’ Rosie” and “Sweetheart Caroline,” asserted that acceptance had caused him to feel more relaxed.
I believe that such incidents have only happened within the last few weeks. But there has been inexplicably a hurricane in my life, which has gone and a tranquility has settled all, and now everything is very silent.
“It’s extremely complicated”, say scientists seeking remedy for the Parkinson’s.
And I enjoy it. I have actually developed a liking towards self. I’m kinder to others. The beat goes on as will I will continue to remain that way for as long after I’m gone and forgive myself for the little mistakes.
However, he told Mason the process of acceptance has remained problematic.
He said “I don’t like it, but I’m still doing it.” “All right so I have to make the most of the hand that God has given me. So I am.
“There is no way around it and no way to heal it. One cannot just say, “Okay, enough already, let’s get back to life”. That isn’t how it operates. But now I have learned to live with my limitations and still I have beautiful days to look forward to.
The Australian part of Diamond’s 50th anniversary tour was ruined when he was diagnosed in 2018. Even before he declared his retirement from touring he had performed in the United States and in Europe.
The CBS interview also mentioned the Broadway performance of A Beautiful Noise, that made its debut in the previous year’s December and was based on Diamond’s life and music.
“It hurt,” he said butting that the show is a part of his psychotherapy.
’I didn’t enjoy seeing myself in a lot of the scenes. I felt flattered, a little embarrassed and afraid.
One of his first public appearances since retiring was a surprise sing-along of Sweet Caroline on stage during the opening of A Beautiful Noise.
In the CBS interview, he stated that he can still sing. I have been doing it for fifty years simply because I enjoy it. My body and mind appear to be working as an entire system.
“Yes, I have had rather an amazing life.”