JANUARY 22, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEIL DIAMOND ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT FROM CONCERT TOURING
AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND TOUR DATES CANCELLED
Legendary Artist Will Continue To
Write, Record & Pursue New Projects
Legendary singer, songwriter and performer Neil Diamond today announced his retirement from touring due to his recent diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease. The onset of the disease has made it difficult to travel and perform on a large scale basis but will allow Mr. Diamond to continue his writing, recording and development of new projects. Based on his doctors’ advice, the third leg of Diamond’s 50th Anniversary tour, set to land in Australia and New Zealand this March, has been cancelled.
“It is with great reluctance and disappointment that I announce my retirement from concert touring. I have been so honored to bring my shows to the public for the past 50 years,” said Neil Diamond.”My sincerest apologies to everyone who purchased tickets and were planning to come to the upcoming shows.
I plan to remain active in writing, recording and other projects for a long time to come.
My thanks goes out to my loyal and devoted audiences around the world. You will always have my appreciation for your support and encouragement. This ride has been ‘so good, so good, so good’ thanks to you.”
The Australia and New Zealand leg of the 50th Anniversary tour (announced by TEG DAINTY in November, 2017) was scheduled to visit a number of outdoor stadiums as well as arena and winery shows in Australia and New Zealand. This would have been the third leg of the 50th Anniversary tour with Diamond selling out shows in the U.S. and Europe throughout 2017.
In making the announcement, Paul Dainty, President and CEO of TEG Dainty stated: “I am devastated and saddened to hear the news of Neil’s illness and his retirement from touring. I have had the honour of promoting Neil’s numerous tours in Australia and New Zealand, he is one of the world’s greatest artists and we and his thousands and thousands of fans here will miss seeing him tour down under.”
On January 24th, Diamond will celebrate his 77th birthday and on January 28th The Recording Academy will honor him with its prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award.
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A shame.

Sad news. I hear he puts on a great live show.

The silver lining I'm hoping for is that his recording career will get a jumpstart similar to when Johnny Cash had to stop touring. Creative people have to create, and now Neil will have some time to do just that. The two albums he did with Rick Rubin were brilliant. I would love to see that relationship resume.

Jim

I've seen Neil Diamond in concert a bunch of times over the years. I think his live singing actually got better in the 90s. Sorry to hear this news, but pleased that he can still make new music.

We saw him in 2015 and again in 2017, and we were honestly shocked how much he'd slowed down in the two years between the two shows.

Don't get me wrong, the second show was still amazing, but it was a very different vibe.

Wish him the best and thank him for two fabulous shows and a gazillion amazing recordings. Looking forward to more.

linda ronstadt said her parkinson's left her unable to sing anymore.