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Carlota

You Love Neil Diamond, And It’s Okay To Admit It

Author carlota
Neil Diamond showing love to the crowd. He is at Songwriters Hall of Fame 49th Annual Induction and Awards Dinner in New York

Are you a closeted Neil Diamond Fan? Don’t worry, you aren’t alone.

Recently, a listener reached out to me to ask for help. He was also a closeted Neil Diamond Fan and felt a ton of shame because of his love for the man “Forever in Blue Jeans”. He told me he only sings Neil Diamond songs in private, in the shower or even just in his head. He never blasts the songs loudly in his car or in public. Where he could be caught stone cold in a “Song Sung Blue.”

Why It’s Okay To Like Neil Diamond

The man is a national treasure. According to billboard.com, he has sold over 100 million records and has racked up 13 Top 10 hits, including three number ones. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2011. And, fun fact… he has smoked cigarettes in front of his high school with Barbra Streisand, according to goldradiouk.com. Surprised? Me too.

Inductee Neil Diamond accepts his award onstage at the 26th annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at The Waldorf Astoria on March 14, 2011 in New York City. Diamond is wearing a black suit and holding his arms out, with the award in his left hand.

Inductee Neil Diamond accepts his award onstage at the 26th annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at The Waldorf Astoria on March 14, 2011 in New York City (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images).

Nationwide, there seems to be enough Diamond fans to warrant an entire Broadway musical about the guy. “A Beautiful Noise – The Neil Diamond Musical” has been open on Broadway since 2022. And if you’re interested (even if you won’t admit it), the last show is June 30, 2024, according to abeautifulnoisethemusical.com.

Related: Vinyl Records Are Back, In A Very Big Way

And Las Vegas LOVES Mr. “Heartlight”. We have the “King of Diamonds – Neil Diamond Tribute” Show at the Alexis Park Resort. And “Legends in Concert”, which has been a Vegas staple for years, has multiple performers that impersonate Diamond. Because the more Neil, the more “Cheesy Cheesy”… I mean, “Cherry Cherry.”

Neil Diamond On The Big Screen

Over the years, Neil has graced us with his presence in movies too. According to imdb.com, Diamond’s films have included “Jazz Singer”, “Keeping up with the Steins”, and the most EPIC appearance in “Saving Silverman”.

The bottom line is this. It’s okay to love Neil Diamond.

Because Neil is so bad, he’s good. Neil is Cheese… not those Kraft American slices, but not Gouda either. He’s Velveeta. That creamy, smooth pot of deliciousness that you don’t know even know what it’s made of but you still want to dip your fingers into. He’s not champagne, but he’s not fine wine either. He’s red zinfandel in a box. Not wool, or leather. He’s polyester. Cheap and old ladies dig him.

So come out of the Neil Diamond Closet. You aren’t alone. No need to be ashamed. Be proud of your love for Mr. “Sweet Caroline.”

Just don’t blast that crap in public.

Carlota is the music director and midday on-air personality for KXTE Las Vegas. She has been with the station since July of 2023. Carlota has been in the Las Vegas market since 1998, First with KXTE, 92.3 KOMP for 18 years, and now back with KXTE. She is known mostly for her on air work but also writes about Las Vegas happenings and where to find the best tequila in Sin City.

 

Rock Hall Fan Vote 2024: Voting Ends Early, Final Standings

The 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominations were announced on Feb. 10. Once the 15 nominees were announced, the Rock Hall Fan Vote officially opened.

The 15 nominees are:

-Mary J. Blige
-Mariah Carey
-Cher
-Dave Matthews Band
-Eric B. & Rakim
-Foreigner
-Peter Frampton
-Jane’s Addiction
-Kool & the Gang
-Lenny Kravitz
-Oasis
-Sinéad O’Connor
-Ozzy Osbourne
-Sade
-A Tribe Called Quest

 

Fans can cast their vote once a day at Vote.RockHall.com for who they think should be part of the 2024 Rock Hall induction class. This year, voting was initially announced to last through April 26. However, it abruptly ended on April 15. Even the Instagram post below from the Rock Hall states voting ends on April 26.

 

However, Future Rock Legends noted on X (formerly Twitter) on March 26, “The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame quietly pushed up the Fan Vote closing date to April 15th. It had previously been set to close on April 26th.”

Unlike in previous years, fans got to vote for up to seven nominees every day. Previously, the choices were capped at five nominees.

The Fan Vote was first launched in 2013. Per the Rock Hall, “There have been over four million fan votes cast over the past 10 years, with 64% of the Fan Vote ballot (35 of 55) earning induction in the same year; and 86% (38 of 44 unique nominations) eventually earning induction. In 2022, the entire Top 5 earned induction – the only time that has happened.”

Once voting closes, the top seven artists in the Fan Vote will create what is called a “Fans’ Ballot.” It will be counted among the other ballots that various artists, historians, and music industry professionals fill out and submit.

To see the final standings in the Rock Hall fan vote, keep scrolling. (NOTE: Vote tallies are as of vote closing on April 15, 2024.)

More on the 2024 Rock Hall Nominees and Induction Ceremony

The Rock Hall noted that ten of the 15 nominees are on the ballot for the first time. Those artists are Mariah Carey, Cher, Foreigner, Peter Frampton, Kool & the Gang, Lenny Kravitz, Oasis, Sinéad O’Connor, Ozzy Osbourne and Sade.

The 2024 inductees will be announced in late April. This year’s induction ceremony will take place in Cleveland. The exact date of the ceremony is currently unknown, but it will take place in the fall. As with last year, the 2024 ceremony will live stream on Disney+. An edited special will air on ABC at a later date, which will be available on Hulu the next day.

In a statement on the 2024 nominees, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation Chairman John Sykes said, “This remarkable list of Nominees reflects the diverse artists and music that the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame honors and celebrates. Continuing in the true spirit of Rock & Roll, these artists have created their own sounds that have impacted generations and influenced countless others that have followed in their footsteps.”

  • 7. Kool & the Gang: 286,912 votes.

    Kool & the Gang have been eligible for induction since 1995. However, they only received their first Rock Hall nomination in 2024. It’s pretty shocking, considering just how many hits are in their catalog. Those hits include “Celebration,” “Ladies’ Night,” “Get Down on It,” “Jungle Boogie” and “Hollywood Swinging.”

  • 6. Lenny Kravitz: 310,663 votes.

    Lenny Kravitz has been eligible for induction since 2014. This is his first nomination. Since debuting in 1989, he’s consistently offered up his unique brand of rock to the masses. Some of his biggest hits include “It Ain’ Over ’til It’s Over,” “Again,” “Fly Away” and “Are You Gonna Go My Way.”

  • 5. Cher: 339,939 votes.

    Cher has been eligible for the Rock Hall for over three decades, but 2024 marks her first nomination. Despite her current standing in the Fan Vote, Cher recently bashed the Rock Hall in a December 2023 appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show. Cher said, “I wouldn’t be in it now if they gave me a million dollars … They can just go you-know-what-themselves.”

  • 4. Ozzy Osbourne: 480,292 votes.

    Currently, The Prince of Darkness is atop the Fan Vote rankings, and it’s not a terribly big surprise. He’s been one of the most iconic figures in hard rock and metal for over 50 years. This is Osbourne’s first Rock Hall nomination as a solo artist, despite being eligible since 2005. Over course, Ozzy has a history of delayed acknowledgment from the Rock Hall. He was inducted as a member of Black Sabbath in 2006, despite being eligible since 1995.

  • 3. Foreigner: 527,193 votes.

    Foreigner has been one of the Rock Hall’s most notable snubs over the years. The band has been eligible since 2003, and this is their first nomination. Guitarist/founding member Mick Jones said in response to the nomination, “I deeply appreciate the recognition from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame committee … Getting this news today is an incredible endorsement of what we have achieved over time.”

    Similar to Dave Matthews Band, expect Foreigner’s fans to really rally and put their support behind these classic rock giants.

  • 2. Peter Frampton: 528,482 votes.

    Like Foreigner, Peter Frampton has long been overlooked by the Rock Hall. Despite being eligible since 1997(!), 2024 marks Frampton’s first Rock Hall nomination. The guitarist candidly told Billboard he was in the bathroom when he learned of his nomination and let out a scream. Frampton said his band leader Rob Arthur came running once he heard him scream.

    “He thought something was wrong,” said Frampton. “So, anyway, it was a very good day.”

  • 1. Dave Matthews Band: 586,211 votes.

    This year marks the second Rock Hall nomination for Dave Matthews Band. They were previously nominated in 2020. That year, the band won the Fan Vote, but they failed to be inducted. After the 2024 nomination was announced, DMB didn’t waste any time to plug the Fan Vote on social media. Considering their enthusiastic fanbase, don’t be surprised if Dave Matthews Band rises in the Fan Vote ranks.

 

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