The legendary musician is still coming to terms with the diagnosis. Neil Diamond’s health journey hasn’t been an easy one over the last few years, but he’s learning to find acceptance.
The 82-year-old music legend—who announced in 2018 that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease—candidly opened up about the condition in an emotional new interview for CBS Sunday Morning, which is set to broadcast over the upcoming weekend.
In a snippet from the forthcoming interview reported by CBS News, Diamond told correspondent Anthony Mason he was in denial for a long time after initially receiving the diagnosis.
“I’m still doing it. And I don’t like it,” Diamond stated. “But … this is me; this is what I have to accept. And I’m willing to do it. And, okay, so this is the hand that God’s given me, and I have to make the best of it, and so I am. I am.”
After he was if there was a particular moment that reality began to sink in for the “Sweet Caroline” singer, Diamond admitted it hadn’t been until “the last few weeks,” that he has been able to come to terms with the situation.
“But somehow, a calm has moved [into] the hurricane of my life, and things have gotten very quiet, as quiet as this recording studio,” he went on to insist. “And I like it. I find that I like myself better. I’m easier on people. I’m easier on myself. And the beat goes on, and it will go on long after I’m gone.”
Diamond found out he had Parkinson’s Disease in the midst of his 50 Year Anniversary World Tour in 2018. Following his public announcement of the diagnosis, the Grammy-winning artist broke the news to his fans that he would no longer be able to tour as a result of the condition.
But so far Diamond hasn’t let the disease completely stop him from doing what he loves, as he has still been producing music. He has even made a few surprise performances, including an appearance at the opening night of the Broadway musical, A Beautiful Noise, The Neil Diamond Musical, which is a celebration of his life and work.