Spinner

Neil Diamond 'Thrilled' by Rock Hall Nomination

Jordan Strauss, WireImage

This year's nominees for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame include several overdue honorees, such as songwriting genius Tom Waits, rappers the Beastie Boys and shock-rock pioneer Alice Cooper. But perhaps no choice is going to be more of a fan-favorite than Neil Diamond.

"I was thrilled and surprised to hear that I was nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame," Diamond tells Spinner.

Already a member of the Songwriting Hall of Fame, Diamond has enjoyed success in more than six decades with such hit singles as 'Sweet Caroline,' 'Solitary Man,' 'Forever in Blue Jeans' and countless more. On top of that, several of his songs, including 'I'm a Believer,' 'Red Red Wine' and 'Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon,' have become smashes for other artists. More recently, he's enjoyed critical acclaim for his two collaborations with producer Rick Rubin, '12 Songs' and 'Home Before Dark.'

Despite all that success, Diamond has frequently been the classic example of how a beloved artist can be written off by critics as too populist. But today, Diamond and his fans have found a measure of vindication.

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Paul

Rap does not belong in the rock and roll hall of fame!! It's not rock music. It should have it's own hall. A band like Badfinger,Prism or Survivor or Al Kooper should have been in the hall by now,they contributed a lot more than a lot of people being nominated.

February 13 2011 at 10:46 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Aeromom

Why call it the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame when you induct the likes of Neal Diamond? Geeze!

October 17 2010 at 9:26 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Robin

What about Chicago???? I have been waiting year after year for one of the all time greatest bands to be inducted. But year after year they are disrespected.
40 Years...over 120 million records sold???

October 04 2010 at 8:42 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Robin's comment
doneldathomas

YES WHEN WILL THEY LET CHICAGO IN.????

January 09 2011 at 2:57 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
stevesmarble

RockRick forgive us for we have sinned ,Yes we forgot you are "the" one that should decide who and what we admire. just change your name to "dick",

September 29 2010 at 11:18 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
goinggone

I think what I am reading on ND message boards hysterical...just what I figured it would be...now all of a sudden, the fans are abuzz with excitement over this nomination. All they have done or said for years, is the RRHOF is a sham, not fair, nor worth being inducted into...you name it...Now all these jerks are shedding tears of happiness for ND, and 'We knew it all along' comments are just laughable...these people are just crazy....just was a lousy organization, now that ND is maybe in, it is the most marvelous thing in the world...u are jerks...

September 28 2010 at 6:05 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Bob

People should realize that the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is a joke designed to make money for the founders & to sell tables at the induction ceremony. The nominations are controlled by a few individuals who are not musicians. The nominations are "politically" motivated. A good commentary can be found at wikipedia under the "Criticism" & "Controversy" sections under "Rock & Roll Hall of Fame".

September 28 2010 at 3:37 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply