Neil Diamond - Didi Zill photos - 1971-1974 (a review)
by Iris Gerhardt
I have been a huge fan of Didi Zill's photos ever since I saw some in the German fan magazine, "Bravo." This was in the early 80's so by then those magazines were hard to obtain, but I diligently sought out all I could find, paying premium prices for most. So of course when Karin Thieme told me that Didi's photos were going to appear in a book, I was with thrilled. Some months later when I finally obtained a copy of the book, I realized that I had far underestimated the skills of this wonderful photographer.
"Neil Diamond - Didi Zill photos - 1971-1974" begins with a short biography by Karin which provides a rare insight into Neil through the eyes of a young fan. She was there during Neil's most productive years...the years when his stage personality was just formulating.
Didi's behind the scenes photos give us glimpses of the side of the man most of us have never known. The origin of the famous "flag" photos is revealed as well as whose idea it was to use the American flag as a prop. This series of photos shows many expressions of Neil, including a very unusual one of him exhaling the smoke from his cigarette. In several of the close-ups, you can almost count the hairs on his chest (well, it would take a while....)
The series of black and white concert shots from Munich reflect many of Neil's stage emotions and mannerisms.
From the photos in the heavy fleece-lined parka to the ones of Neil in the grass in the park in Fort Worth, there are photos that will take the breath away of any Neil Diamond fan. What we've seen in the past is only a tiny sampling of what Didi has provided in this book.
Another series of photos were shot at Neil's home. You can see him on sitting on the hood of his Jaguar as well as in the driver's seat (with a full view of the dash board, on-the-floor shift and overflowing ashtray. He's in the garden, on the steps, at the piano, and shooting billiards.
And then there's the white wicker chair photos..each one more beautiful than the one before. I particularly like the double page spread with his hand slight up to his face and that oh, so pensive expression.
The series of shots with a fan at the airport and reading a German newspaper capture moments from Neil's past that have escaped the eyes of the public.
Didi was able to take more fantastic shots in Neil's hotel suite while he was in New York for the Winter Garden shows. Some of these are the yellow pants and navy windbreaker (again lots of chest hair), and a particularly poignant photo shows Marcis seated between Neil's mom and dad. They are all dressed up like they are just ready to leave for the show. There are some beautiful on-stage shots from Winter Garden with Neil in the red outfit that Didi picked for him to wear that evening.
A slightly more casual performing Neil is captured in the shots from the Shriver's lawn where Neil did a benefit concert. There are beautiful shots of Neil performing, the crowd watching, and a spectacular close-up of Neil and Marcia.
On Independence Day 1973, Didi shot the famous beach shots for the Jonathan promotions. Don't expect to see "the" beach photo, but the origin of the bird is revealed and many others from that same sequence as well as some adorable ones with Jesse as a toddler.
The book concludes with the 1974 Star Parade photos and some other lovely candids, including one with Neil holding a single pink rose.
"Neil Diamond - Didi Zill photos - 1971-1974" is highly recommended for anyone who is a fan of Neil Diamond. Photos of this caliber are simply not available from any other source.