9/11/2013

Neil Diamond Impersonator And Other Chart Toppers

By Helene Norris


American folksinger-songwriter Neil Leslie Diamond (NLD) was born to a Jewish mother and father in 1941. His soulful, one-of-a-kind voice is a challenge for a Neil Diamond impersonator. He is a big hit with every generation of rock and roll fans and souly-folk fans. His is one of the top three names in the Billboard Adult Contemporary Artists chart. Joining him there are Elton John, who holds the #1 spot, and Barbra Streisand at #2.

Among his many, many top hits are "Cracklin' Rosie, " "I'm A Believer, " "Sweet Caroline" and "I Am, I Said." His Jewish parents raised him in Brooklyn, New York, where he attended Abraham Lincoln HS. It was at Lincoln that he learned fencing, and attained the skill to join the NCAA men's championship team in 1960.

In terms of entertainment roles, Barbra Streisand has done it all. She started out as a singer-actress and then graduated to fill the roles of songwriter, author, film director and producer. Some of her most popular numbers have been, "People, " "Evergreen, " "The Way We Were" and "Memories." Streisand has collected Best Actress Oscars for her performances in, "Funny Girl, " "Yentl, " "Hello Dolly, " "The Owl and the Pussycat, " "Funny Lady" and "Nuts."

Sir Elton Hercules John was born Reginald Kenneth Dwight in 1947. By the 1960s, he was gaining a name for himself as a singer and songwriter. His many, many awards include Grammy Awards, Tony Awards, Oscars, Brits and Golden Globe Awards. At the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales, in 1997, he performed a tailored version of "Candle In The Wind, " originally written for Marilyn Monroe.

The #4 spot occupied by Elvis Presley is perhaps not as surprising as it first seems. Had he not died in 1977, he most certainly would have been at least in the top 3, and possibly a clear #1. The King of Rock and Roll had acquired 53 listings on the chart, compared to Elton John's 69. Who knows what he could have achieved in the ensuing 35 or so years.

Fifth on the list is Barry Manilow, who, in 1943, was born Barry Alan Pincus. In his 70s, he is still touring and has a huge international following. Among his greatest hits are "Copacabana, " "Looks Like We Made It" and "Mandy."

Rounding out the chart in spots 6 to 10 are, in alphabetical order, Herb Alpert (and the Tijuana Brass), Johnny Mathis, Kenny Rogers, Frank Sinatra and Dionne Warwick. Stars of tomorrow include Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Imagon Dragons, Lana Del Rey and Cedric Gervais. Lady Gaga, nee Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, was born in New York City in March 1986. Her classical, yet non-distinguishing features make her a prime candidate for periodic reinvention, which she does on a regular basis with tremendous flair. Never afraid to shock or offend, she has a massive international following.

Anyone aspiring to be a Neil Diamond impersonator would have a tough job emulating that golden velveteen voice. The singer himself remains in huge demand, having performed at the centenary Royal Variety Performance in 2012. In the wake of the Boston bombing, NLD penned the "Freedom Song, " which he performed for the first time in July 2013, three months after the tragedy.




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