Neil Diamond

In addition to Alice Cooper, also joining the ranks of the Rock and Hall of Fame this year is Neil Diamond. Ordinarily, one might suppose that these two artists couldn't be farther apart. Cooper, with his horror-show theatrics and shock tactics, seems the antithesis of Diamond's adult contemporary sound. A Venn diagram of there overlapping fan base might be small. But deep down I think they share an appeal to a certain segment of society--the white, suburban middle-class.

Diamond has been a big act for over forty years, but I didn't have any records of his until I bought one called The Essential Neil Diamond, a two-disc collection of all of his hits. The first disc, with his early pop songs, is very enjoyable to listen to, while the second, containing music after his inevitable slide into easy listening, is a chore to get through.

Diamond has written some terrific songs, some of them covered by other artists. He deserves entry into the Hall of Fame if only for writing "I'm a Believer," which was a huge hit for The Monkees. He also wrote and performed "Solitary Man," "Cherry, Cherry," "Song Sung Blue," and "Sweet Caroline," which has an extra life as a staple at sporting events (especially Boston's Fenway Park).

Beyond his pop hits, Diamond has specialized in overproduced, emotionally pulsing songs like "I Am...I Said," "Holly Holy," and "If You Know What I Mean." These songs, which most right-thinking people would find way over the top, do appeal to a part of me that grew up with a family who appreciated the middlebrow. In fact, Diamond appears to be a litmus test for many people. If he is to be enjoyed, it is only ironically, like the Neil Diamond cover band with Jack Black in the movie Saving Silverman. Bill Murray said, in What About Bob? that there were two types of people: those who like Neil Diamond, and those who don't.

Diamond's audience has aged with him, and he remains a huge touring act, although his hits have been few and far between. Mostly they've been real middle-of-the-road stuff, like "You Don't Bring Me Flowers," with Barbra Streisand, the cheesy "America" (used as a campaign song for Michael Dukakis, which should have tipped us all off), and the horrible "Heartlight," which was inspired by E.T. I imagine that Diamond is now the act that grandparents will listen to in an attempt to feel youthful.

So, in the final analysis, it is possible to both like and roll one's eyes at Neil Diamond. Certainly Red Sox Nation has figured out a way to do it.