14.9.13

Neil Diamond Impersonator And Other Chart Toppers

By Helene Norris


Neil Diamond is an American singer-songwriter. Born Neil Leslie Diamond (NLD) in 1941, he began his career in the 1960s and has been going strong ever since. He has a unique velveteen voice and he is popular with all generations. His folksy-rock music, most of which he writes himself, is timeless and ageless. This is why it is so easy to find a Neil Diamond impersonator. He is one of the top three adult contemporary artists on the Billboard charts. The other two are Barbra Streisand and Elton John.

Among his many, many top hits are "Cracklin' Rosie, " "I'm A Believer, " "Sweet Caroline" and "I Am, I Said." His Jewish parents raised him in Brooklyn, New York, where he attended Abraham Lincoln HS. It was at Lincoln that he learned fencing, and attained the skill to join the NCAA men's championship team in 1960.

In terms of entertainment roles, Barbra Streisand has done it all. She started out as a singer-actress and then graduated to fill the roles of songwriter, author, film director and producer. Some of her most popular numbers have been, "People, " "Evergreen, " "The Way We Were" and "Memories." Streisand has collected Best Actress Oscars for her performances in, "Funny Girl, " "Yentl, " "Hello Dolly, " "The Owl and the Pussycat, " "Funny Lady" and "Nuts."

Born Reginald Kenneth Dwight, Sir Elton Hercules John was born in 1947 and began quietly working his way into our hearts in the late 1960s. He has received numerous awards for his music, including Oscars, Tony's, Grammy's, Brits and Golden Globes. He performed at the funeral of the late Princess Diana in 1997, where he reprised a rewritten version of his hit, "Candle In The Wind."

The #4 spot occupied by Elvis Presley is perhaps not as surprising as it first seems. Had he not died in 1977, he most certainly would have been at least in the top 3, and possibly a clear #1. The King of Rock and Roll had acquired 53 listings on the chart, compared to Elton John's 69. Who knows what he could have achieved in the ensuing 35 or so years.

Fifth on the list is Barry Manilow, who, in 1943, was born Barry Alan Pincus. In his 70s, he is still touring and has a huge international following. Among his greatest hits are "Copacabana, " "Looks Like We Made It" and "Mandy."

The remaining five spots on the list are held, in no particular order, by Dionne Warwick, Frank Sinatra, Johnny Mathis, Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass and Kenny Rogers. New talent in the Billboard Hot 100 include singers like Lady Gaga, Robin Thicke, Mylie Cyrus and Katy Perry.

A Neil Diamond impersonator would have his work cut out for him trying to capture the singer's smooth and highly distinctive voice. He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2012. The singer was nominated into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010. He topped the bill at the Royal Variety Performance in 2012. Most recently, NLD recorded a single called, "Freedom Song, " for which the proceeds are dedicated to the Wounded Warrior Project and One Fund Boston.




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