(ANSA) - ROME, JANUARY 23 - Neil Diamond, the singer and author of "September Morning", "I'm a Believer", "America", "SweetCaroline", turns 80.
In Italy his name is certainly less known than in the Anglo-Saxon world, where he sold 100 million copies, was inducted into the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame, received the Kennedy Center Honor, and has a star on the Walk of Fame.
In 2008 at the Glastonbury Festival there were over 100,000 people at his concert.
A singer-songwriter who managed to reach the status of "classic", able to write a sort of alternative anthem like "America", which Muhammed Ali liked, to get along with rockers (in 2005 "12 Songs" was produced by guru RickRubin) but also to sing for George W. Bush.
A typical example of evergreen.
For some years Neil Diamond has retired from the scene because he has begun his battle with Parkinson's.
(HANDLE).
