Forget the sequins and the soft ballads. In 1966, Neil Diamond was a hungry Brooklyn kid with enough soul to shake the city. This rare footage from his debut era reveals a raw, edgy side that most fans have never seen. You have to watch this performance of Do It to see the real man before the fame took over.
This is the sound of a young artist with everything to gain and nothing to lose. It feels like a hidden treasure from a lost time. The mono sound is crisp and honest. There are no fancy tricks here, just a man and a beat that makes it impossible to sit still. It is the perfect proof that Neil was a rocker from day one.
Watch the full video below:
Neil Diamond – Do It (Remastered 2011 / Mono)
The fans are in total shock over this rare look. One viewer said this footage finally proves that Neil is true rock n’ roll. Another fan mentioned they had to hit replay because they could not believe this was the same singer. It is a time capsule of a man who did not need a big production to be a star.
That early fire never left him. It just grew into a deeper kind of power as the decades rolled by. He went from those small New York studios to the biggest stages in the world. He never lost that special connection with the people in the seats.
Neil Diamond – Cherry, Cherry (Live At The Greek Theatre/2012)
By 2012, Neil returned to the Greek Theatre to show the world he still had that groove. He performed ‘Cherry, Cherry’ with a massive brass section and the same grit he had in the sixties. The crowd was on its feet for the entire song. People in the comments were amazed that a 71 years old could still command a stage with that much strength.
Neil Diamond’s voice is a steady friend to millions of people who grew up with his songs. He remains a master of making every person in the audience feel seen and heard. Follow Neil Diamond on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube to keep the music alive.