Fans Thought He Disappeared – But Neil Diamond Has Been Doing This All Along
When Neil Diamond retired from touring in 2018 after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, fans feared they’d heard the last from the beloved singer-songwriter. But away from the spotlight, Neil’s life today is not what many expected — it’s softer, quieter, and surprisingly heartwarming.
Living with his wife Katie McNeil in a serene home in Colorado, Neil has settled into a peaceful rhythm. Gone are the screaming crowds and spotlight beams. In their place: morning walks with his dog, gardening, and — most unexpectedly — songwriting.
Still writing — not performing
Yes, Neil Diamond still writes music. Not for tours, not for charts. Just for the love of it. For healing. For memory. His wife has said he writes almost daily, using music as “a way to stay in conversation with life.”
In a rare interview in 2023, Neil revealed: “I can’t perform the way I used to. But music hasn’t left me. It’s still how I breathe.”
Dozens of unreleased songs now sit in his notebook — crafted during early morning hours or sleepless nights.
Living simply, loving deeply
Neighbors often spot Neil walking the aisles of local stores alone, wearing a sweater and baseball cap. One longtime resident shared: “He’s just Neil to us — polite, kind, always smiling. You’d never guess he filled stadiums.”
He’s also active in a small local volunteer group, helping elderly neighbors and supporting animal shelters. Never once has he introduced himself as “Neil Diamond.” Just “Neil.”
A quieter kind of greatness
Neil’s days are filled with reading, planting, journaling — and reflecting. His world is small now, but his heart remains vast.
One journal entry shared privately read: “I sang for millions. Now I sing for myself. And somehow, that feels enough.”
Perhaps the most powerful songs are the ones we never hear — the ones written not for the world, but for peace.