Neil Diamond: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2011 part 3

1980-2014

Neil starred in The Jazz Singer in 1980.
Love on the Rocks (1980): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbvxP08FlMs

Hello Again (1981): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VI8FIm1Mrw0

America (1981): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTSLRbm8L9E

Yesterday's Songs (1981): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKzrV_ZQPkY

Inspired by the film E.T.:

Heartlight (1982): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0TfR9mgOiU

after E.T.Bos

I'm Alive (1983): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPgF2tcdUv0

Front Page Story (1983): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C74mmgznWto

Turn Around (1984): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9utj6AUtjE

Headed for the Future (1986): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vM3QAjWH8Q

Sales slumped in the mid-80s and 90s, but he remained a huge concert draw.

I Dreamed a Dream (1987): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUZMDF3mLBw

The Best Years of Our Lives (1989): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eqxvlB5i8Q

Don't Turn Around (1991): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poyehZZ8pnk

Diamond enjoyed a resurgence in the 2000s. Sports teams, most notably the Boston Red Sox began playing "Sweet Caroline" at games,his songs appeared in films, Will Ferrell did an impression on Saturday Night Live, and "America" became an anthem for the 2002 Olympics. The 2001 film, Saving Silverman, featured a Neil Diamond subplot.

You Are The Best Part of Me (2001): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fj-Vo1h65pM

Delirious Love w/ Brian Wilson (2006): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjvBmlg2HZ8

Cherry Cherry Christmas (2009): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjKaPHLPSXM

Following the Boston Marathon bombings, Neil Diamond stood up:

The Freedom Song (2013): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UR5XD5O8vU

Neil Diamond: Freedom Song (They'll Never Take Us Down) (2013)

Neil Diamond channels himself in this song inspired by the Boston Marathon attacks. "I was moved by the unity and the attitude of the people in Boston." He appeared at Fenway Park performing "Sweet Caroline" after the bombings and then went home to write "Freedom Song." This is classic Neil Diamond.

       http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TSpWbAQCvQ

 

     

The Four Tops: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1990

Rock Hall Bio:

http://rockhall.com/inductees/the-four-tops/bio/

Official Site:

http://www.thefourtopsoriginal.com/

Their career in links.

In 1956, Levi Stubbs, Duke Fakir, Obie Benson, and Lawrence Payton sang together at a birthday party. They decided to stay together and signed with Chess Records. They changed their name from The Four Aims to The Four Tops and later signed with Motown Records.

Baby I Need Your Loving (1964):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joqjBAJx4ZA

I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch) (1965):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3bksUSPB4c

It’s the Same Old Song (1965):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uS2nWLz-AbE

Motown was not immune to what was going on in the 60s. The Four Tops echoed the streets with…

Reach Out I’ll Be There (1966):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnDm3qr1Knk

And a more depressed Tops released…

Standing in the Shadows of Love (1966):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhtzMwA5gJI&feature=related

Bernadette (1967):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pVM00eoohI

7 Rooms of Gloom (1967):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZdhvTUZZwI

If I Were a Carpenter (1967):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXX36b_mlMo

Their chief songwriters, Holland-Dozier-Holland quit Motown over a royalty dispute with Berry Gordy. They struggled until 1970.

Still Water (Love) (1970):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NASl6heMzw

It’s All in the Game (1970):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvD7RkEkH5A

River Deep-Mountain High w/The Supremes (1970):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHpH5rnX0Ec

Their Still Waters Run Deep album inspired Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On?

They left Motown in 1972 when Gordy relocated to LA. They joined ABC Records.

Ain’t No Woman (Like The One I Got) (1973):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drotqeAuVRI

In 1980, they signed with Casablanca Records.

When She Was My Girl (1981):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ejg-22i4VYQ

They returned to Motown in 1983.

Indestructible (1988):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COtHMn2BUDE

They were scheduled to fly on Pan Am Flight 103, but missed their plane.

Since the late 80s, they have concentrated more on touring and less on recording.