O. K.. Get This Straight!
Neil Diamond rocks. And rolls. Saying Neil Diamond is not "rock and roll" is like saying Elvis Presley is not "rock and roll". Anyone on the face of planet Earth who says that Neil Diamond doesn't have a (large) place in rock and roll history is brain dead or simply doesn't know what the words "rock and roll" mean.
Children. -- I'm speaking to anyone over the age of 10 and under the age of 30 -- Most of you have never heard a "real" ROCK recording. Pop in a "Neil Diamond -- The Classics" CD or anything by Elvis Presley. That is real "rock and roll". Basically rolling, rapid, smooth and loud R&B (stands for rhythm and blues, boys and girls --- most of you have never heard of rhythm, either.)
Yes. I, along with most of the Neil Diamond admirers that I know --- who consider him to be the really real King of Pop --- will admit that he is also the epitome of Pop(ular) music. But he is to be admired for that. (I suppose. Sometimes I think if it hadn't been for him helping re-invent pop music, we could've completely bypassed the Boy Band years of the late '90s and early '00s.)
I do not love everything he has ever done UNCONDITIONALLY like many of his dyed in the wool fans do. ( I will not mention those that I hate I will simply sniff and wipe a tear. ) I do know that he deserves a deep respect from every person (very young to very old) who has ever put on a head phone or put in an ear-piece. He is usually honest, occasionally brilliant and always creative.
So, here is a tip to all you kids out there that think that rock and roll is something played through a fake keyboard guitar or sung without being able to recognize a word or a note at the top of the voice of a guy or gal with pink or green hair and a spike through their tongue. Hook up your six speaker surround sound, put in (the original) Hot August Night (cd, cassette or better yet find a record) and turn it up to 8 (or 18 depending on your residential situation) on the volume dial. That, my children, is rock and roll.
