I reacted with a no small measure of grief at the news Neil Diamond is retiring from the concert stage. The 77-year-old entertainment legend had to cancel the last leg of his 50th anniversary tour two weeks back after being diagnosed with Parkinsons. 

My first concert was a Neil Diamond show in 1972. My sister Dodie took me up to Merriweather Post Pavillion in Columbia, Maryland. Musical memories are vague, partially because this was the tour immortalized on the classic live album Hot August Night. It’s the first LP I bought, and I wore out countless needles playing it. Where, sonically, my real live concert experience ends and the Hot August Night tracks begin I do not know. 

What I do remember is being mesmerized, wanting to do what he was doing. Strumming and singing, filling the night air with music. Lifting people up. And I wanted to wear the same outfit of denim with Indian beads dangling off the shirt pockets. 

Fortunately, I did not have a similar reaction to the cheesy sparkled shirts Neil would wear in the 80s. I preferred to stay “Forever in Blue Jeans.” However, the thrill of seeing Neil Diamond live did not dim, even when the songs got schmaltzy. (“Heartlight,” anyone?)

Neil in concert does what all the greats do. They act their songs. It isn’t about pretty notes. It’s about making a personal connection. A perfect example is the 1980 Grammy Awards when Neil Diamond paired with Barbara Streisand for “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers.” Say what you will about her politics, but watch as these two put you in the living room of an estranged husband and wife. Go ahead. I’ll wait.  (Did anything from Sunday’s Grammys even come close?)

Three-Chords, But He Knew How to Use Them

Neil Diamond and Barbra Streisand actually went to Brooklyn’s Erasmus Hall High School together. Clearly, that neighborhood had something in the water. Those same few blocks in Flatbush also produced at that time legendary producer Clive Davis, singer-songwriter Neil Sedaka and songwriter Al Kasha. Kasha took Broadway with Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and would write two Oscar-winning songs in a row, “The Morning After” and “We May Never Love Like This Again.” 

He’d later become a Christian. I took a couple songwriting courses from Kasha and was blessed to take part in a Bible study at his home. Kasha would speak fondly of his old Brookyn and Brill Building pal Neil Diamond. He also added something I’ve never forgotten: “Neil only knows three chords, but is a genius at making them work.” 

Run through your Neil Diamond mental jukebox. “Cherry Cherry,” “I”m a Believer,” “Thank the Lord for the Nighttime,” “Song Sung Blue,” “America,” “Kentucky Woman,” and, of course, “Sweet Caroline.” These are structurally simple songs that anyone can play, and everyone can — and does — sing along to. Sometimes with “a cry in your voice.” 

Diamond knew only three chords, but he has blessed millions of people across the planet. He took the little he had, and made the most of it. 

The Little We Have

How much blessing do we create when we take what we have and put it in God’s hands? Think of the feeding of the multitude. “Well, that was Jesus,” you might say. Then think of the widow hosting Elijah with her tiny bit of oil and flour (2 Kings 4:17). “Well, that was a mighty prophet.”  Then think of David and the very long Vegas odds he faced against Goliath (1 Samuel 17).

To paraphrase Kasha, “He had just five stones, but was a genius at making them work.” In fact, he just needed one.

Peter put it this way: “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms” (1 Peter 4:10). His one skill when Jesus got hold of him? Catching fish.

These examples and the career of Neil Diamond prove very helpful on days when I talk down the gifts I’ve been given. We have some folks at The Stream whose writings are symphonies or concertos. It’s easy to feel I’m merely smashing keys with my fists. But that’s hardly the way God wants it, is it? “What are you doing with the three chords I’ve given you?” Are you making noise? Are you even playing? Or are you composing something that reaches people, touches people. Something they can sing along to?

It’s not about having a perfect voice. It’s about using your voice to the glory of the One who is Perfect.

A Prayer and a Sing-Along

Today I want to use my voice to thank Neil Diamond for all the musical memories and to pray for his health as he battles the Parkinson’s. Thankfully, Neil promises that he will continue writing and recording.

Just this past New Year’s Eve, Neil performed “Sweet Caroline” in Times Square. I don’t know if the shaking in his right hand is from the affliction or the frigid cold. That just weeks later doctors would force him to immediately stop touring seems to provide a clue. But even with the bitter temperatures making each singing breath a chore, even with the Parkinson’s, even after 50 years of touring wear and tear, Neil was able to use his three chords to bless. Watch multiple generations of all colors, creeds and origins making singing as one.

Good times never seemed so good. (So good! So good!)