Neil Diamond Surprises Broadway Audience With “Sweet Caroline” at A Beautiful Noise Opening

Back in 2022, when the UK celebrated the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, many wondered why Sweet Caroline was the unofficial anthem and why Rod Stewart performed it outside Buckingham Palace on June 4. After all, Neil Diamond is American, and Rod Stewart has a massive catalog of hits of his own.

The answer is simple: BBC Radio 2 listeners voted it as the Jubilee song, and royal fans were encouraged to sing it at street parties on June 5. As for why Neil Diamond didn’t perform himself? He has Parkinson’s disease, which makes traveling and performing extremely difficult.

Fast forward to Broadway, where Diamond himself thrilled audiences at the opening of A Beautiful Noise, the musical chronicling his life and music. From his humble beginnings as a kid from Brooklyn, Diamond wrote songs before he even became a household name. Over his career, his hits have been recorded by legends like Elvis Presley (And the Grass Won’t Pay No Mind, Sweet Caroline), Lulu, Cliff Richard, and Deep Purple.

Many may not know that Neil Diamond penned classics like I’m a Believer (made famous by The Monkees) and Red, Red Wine (popularized by UB40). His ten US number-one hits include Cracklin’ Rosie, Song Sung Blue, and You Don’t Bring Me Flowers. With over 130 million records sold worldwide, 38 US Top 40 singles, and a legacy that spans decades, Diamond is truly one of the best-selling artists in history.

Fans of Diamond’s work will love seeing the 1976 promo video for Beautiful Noise, the song that inspired the Broadway musical. Produced by Robbie Robertson of The Band, the clip is a rare gem showing Diamond in his prime—even if the original TV broadcast faded it out after two minutes.

Neil Diamond retired from touring in 2017 due to Parkinson’s, but his music continues to inspire. In 2019, the Library of Congress selected Sweet Caroline for preservation, recognizing its cultural, historic, and aesthetic significance. For those who want more, Diamond’s official YouTube channel offers a treasure trove of performances and hits spanning his legendary career.

Whether it’s a royal celebration or a Broadway stage, Neil Diamond’s songs remain timeless—proof that great music knows no borders or generations.