Neil Diamond says he has been blown away by the support of fans who have donated their refunded ticket cost to charity.
Taking to Twitter on Wednesday, the singer said the news that fans were giving money to worthy causes in his name ‘makes me smile’.
On Tuesday, Neil revealed he was retiring from touring after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, cancelling his 11 Australian concerts.
‘This makes me smile’: Neil Diamond blown away by fans donating refunded ticket cost to charity after singer cancelled Australian tour due to Parkinson’s Disease diagnosis
Taking to Twitter, Neil’s wife and manager Katie McNeil said she was happy to learn people were putting their refunded ticket cost to good use.
‘Wow, I’ve received a bunch of messages from people in Aus & NZ who are donating their ticket refunds to good causes: Parkinson’s research, animal rescue groups, fire victim funds, etc,’ she tweeted.
‘My heart is so full of joy to see this silver lining. Faith in humanity = restored. Thank you!’
Heartwarming donations: Neil’s wife and manager Katie McNeil said she was happy to learn people were putting their refunded ticket cost to good use
Overwhelmed by support: ‘Wow, I’ve received a bunch of messages from people in Aus & NZ who are donating their ticket refunds to good causes: Parkinson’s research, animal rescue groups, fire victim funds, etc,’ she tweeted.
Grateful: Neil also tweeted his approval of the generous move, writing: ‘This makes me smile. Thank you. Thank you to everyone for your outpouring of love and support. It makes a difference’
Neil also tweeted his approval of the generous move, writing: ‘This makes me smile. Thank you. Thank you to everyone for your outpouring of love and support. It makes a difference.’
Meanwhile, Australian promoter Paul Dainty has broken his silence over Neil’s Parkinson’s Disease diagnosis.
Writing for the Herald-Sun on Wednesday, Paul said he was shocked by the singer’s sudden cancellation of his 11 Australia shows.
A longtime friend and promoter of Neil in Australia, Paul believes the singer will continue to make music despite his diagnosis.
‘Neil will carry on recording and doing musical things’: Australian promoter Paul Dainty (pictured right) predicts Diamond will keep making music despite retiring from touring due to Parkinson’s diagnosis. Paul pictured with his wife in 2001
‘When I got the call about the retirement it was a shock,’ Paul wrote.
Despite Paul’s surprise over the sudden need to cancel a national tour, the promoter accepted it was unavoidable and necessary.
‘It’s a pretty big deal to unwind 11 shows as a promoter, but obviously these things happen and his health comes first,’ Paul wrote.
Neil, who is godfather to Paul’s eldest son Sam, will continue to keep on making music for his fans, Paul predicted.
Won’t stop his passion for music: Neil, who is godfather to Paul’s eldest son Sam, will continue to keep on making music for his fans, Paul predicted
‘The good thing is Neil will carry on recording and doing musical things,’ Paul wrote, referencing Neil’s existing credentials as a prolific songwriter.
In a public statement posted to his website on Tuesday, the 76-year-old Grammy Award winner revealed that the third leg of his 50th Anniversary tour, scheduled for March and April, would no longer go ahead.
‘It is with great reluctance and disappointment that I announce my retirement from concert touring,’ the statement read.
Bowing out: Neil Diamond has cancelled his Australian concerts and announced his retirement from touring due his recent diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease
‘I have been so honoured to bring my shows to the public for the past 50 years. My sincerest apologies to everyone who purchased tickets and were planning to come to the upcoming shows.’
He continued: ‘I plan to remain active in writing, recording and other projects for a long time to come.’
‘My thanks goes out to my loyal and devoted audiences around the world. You will always have my appreciation for your support and encouragement. This ride has been ‘so good, so good, so good’ thanks to you,’ he concluded.
End of an era: Neil, who turns 77 on Wednesday, had been scheduled to perform five decades of hits in front of stadium, winery and arena audiences in would have been his final concerts Down Under and in New Zealand
Neil, who turns 77 on Wednesday, had been scheduled to perform five decades of hits in front of stadium, winery and arena audiences in would have been his final concerts Down Under and in New Zealand.
The Brooklyn-born crooner had booked shows across the country in addition to ‘down time’ scheduled for him and his wife Katie, who is almost 30 years his junior.
The couple married in 2012 in Los Angeles, with Neil dedicating his 2014 album, Melody Road, to Katie, who is also his business manager.
Cancelled plans: The Brooklyn-born crooner had booked shows across the country in addition to ‘down time’ scheduled for him and his wife Katie, who is almost 30 years his junior
Veteran: One of the biggest-selling artists in the world with more than 130 million albums sold, Neil wrapped up the UK leg of his anniversary tour last month
One of the biggest-selling artists in the world with more than 130 million albums sold, Neil wrapped up the UK leg of his anniversary tour in September last year.
With a staggering 38 songs in the Top 10, he is the second most successful artist in the history of the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.
The musical superstar hails from humble beginnings, once describing himself and former high school classmate Barbra Streisand as ‘two poor kids in Brooklyn.’
Classic: With a staggering 38 songs in the Top 10, he is the second most successful artist in the history of the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart