It’s the kind of story that sounds like a rock ’n’ roll tall tale — but it turns out, it’s true. In a hilarious and heartwarming revelation, one of Neil Diamond’s longtime friends has come forward to share a story that has fans laughing across the internet: decades ago, the Sweet Caroline singer borrowed his friend’s car… and never gave it back.
The story surfaced during a recent radio interview in Los Angeles, when musician and producer Jon Landers (a close friend of Diamond’s from his early New York days) was asked about his fondest memory of the legendary singer. Chuckling, he replied,
“Oh, I’ve got plenty — but the one that still makes me laugh? Neil borrowed my car in the late ’70s and, well… let’s just say it never found its way home.”
According to Landers, the “car” in question was a cherry-red 1969 convertible that Diamond had asked to borrow for a weekend in Los Angeles while recording. “He said he just needed it for a few days — some errands, some studio runs,” Landers recalled. “I said, ‘Sure, take it — just don’t scratch it.’ Well, the next thing I know, he’s driving it to Malibu, showing up at concerts in it, and then he moved houses. That car just… disappeared into Neil Diamond’s life.”
Fans erupted with laughter when the story spread online, especially after Landers jokingly added:
“I’m still waiting for him to bring it back. But at this point, I think it’s officially vintage — and I’m charging 40 years of late fees.”
When the anecdote reached Neil Diamond’s team, the singer himself reportedly responded with his trademark wit. Through a representative, he playfully said,
“Tell Jon I took good care of it. It still runs… somewhere.”
The good-natured exchange quickly went viral, with fans calling it “the most wholesome celebrity scandal ever.” Many took to social media to share their amusement:
“Only Neil Diamond could turn borrowing a car into a 40-year love story,” one fan joked.
“He probably wrote a hit song while driving it — I’d say that’s fair trade!” another wrote.
Music historians even chimed in, noting that during the late ’70s — around the time the “missing car” incident supposedly happened — Diamond was writing some of his most personal songs, including “Forever in Blue Jeans” and “September Morn.” “It’s entirely possible that car heard more hit songs than most recording studios,” one journalist quipped.
For Neil, who’s known for his self-deprecating humor and down-to-earth charm, the playful story only adds to his enduring legend. Even after decades of fame, he remains as relatable as ever — the friend who meant to return your car but somehow turned it into a musical artifact.
Landers, for his part, insists there are no hard feelings. “Neil’s one of the kindest guys I’ve ever known,” he said. “If he wants to keep the car another 40 years, he can — but only if he promises to sing Sweet Caroline at my next birthday.”
As fans continue to laugh and share the story, one viral comment summed it up perfectly:
“Of course Neil Diamond forgot to return the car. He’s been too busy driving through our hearts for 40 years.”