In 1976, a satellite link failed and a television host started to panic. Neil Diamond did not blink. While the cameras rolled for a national audience in Australia, the singer stepped up to save the broadcast. He did the commercials himself right from the stage to keep the screen from going black.
He sang Jonathan Livingston Seagull, his famous song. People used to poke fun at the idea of a song about a seagull. However, the music felt like a spiritual awakening that night. He was at his vocal peak and moved with a quiet power that commanded every eye in the stadium.
Watch the full video below:
NEIL DIAMOND – Jonathan Livingston Seagull Medley – Sydney, Australia 1976
One viewer said they still remember sitting in front of the television with their family. Another fan noted that Neil was the only artist who could make a story about a bird feel so important. It was a masterclass in how to stay bold when everything else is falling apart.
That same fearless spirit stayed with him when he eventually left the bright lights of the stadium. It was a shift from the grand stage of Sydney back to the humble sidewalks of New York. This journey home showed a side of him that was just as strong but much more quiet and reflective.
Neil Diamond – I Am… I Said (Official Music Video)
The grainy film shows him walking through Brooklyn as a man who finally knows who he is. There is a peace in his eyes as he visits the places that made him a songwriter. It is a beautiful look at a man who conquered the world but never forgot the boy from the old neighborhood.
Neil Diamond is a storyteller who wears his heart on his sleeve. His voice has a grit that tells the truth about life. He built a blueprint for how to be a star without losing your soul. Follow Neil Diamond on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube to keep up with his journey.