Neil goes on a six-city tour of Europe, beginning with two performances on May 29th at London’s Royal Festival Hall and ending in Stuttgart, Germany. While on this tour, Neil appears on BBC-TV’s “Top of the Pops,” on June 3, looking introspective, and performing the equally introspective, recently released, “I Am…Said.” Also appearing are The Hollies, Stevie Wonder and Peter Noone, among several others.

UNI releases “Done Too Soon” (as A-side release).

Bang releases “I’m A Believer” and “Crooked Street” single.

Neil plays a seven-night engagement at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles, California. This engagement is the first time that a stereo sound system is used at the Greek Theater, incorporating the sounds of Neil’s band, a 35-piece string orchestra, and six background singers. The Los Angeles Herald-Examiner reports, “…the finest concert…in Greek Theater history.”

Neil goes on tour of Eastern and Midwest North America, doing 16 shows in 12 cities, including a stop in Montreal, Canada.

MCA UK and Decca Records pronounce today as “Neil Diamond Day,” in view of the fact that BBC-2 is screening “An Evening With Neil Diamond,” a 45-minute solo show taped with a 30-piece orchestra during his British visit in June.

UNI releases “Open End Radio Special with Neil Diamond” promo album, promoting the “Stones” album.

UNI releases the “Stones” album.

UNI releases “Stones” and “Crunchy Granola Suite” single.

Neil signs a $5 million contract with CBS Records.
The contract does not take effect until March, 1973, so Neil continues to release records under the UNI label.

“Stones” album is certified gold.

Neil participates in “A Seminar in Songwriting” at the Sherwood Oaks Experimental College in Van Nuys, California.

At the Grammy ceremonies, Neil is recognized with a nomination in the POP VOCAL MALE category for “I Am…I Said.”

UNI releases “Song Sung Blue” and “Gitchy Goomy” single.

UNI releases “Moods” album.

“Song Sung Blue” single is certified gold.

UNI releases “Play Me” and “Porcupine Pie.”

Neil opens a 10-night sold out engagement at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles, California. Determined to out-do the 1971 Greek Theater engagement, which had been the first time that stereo sound was used at the Greek, Neil’s show this time uses “quadraphonic” sound, yet another pioneering effort. One night during the engagemnet, Neil performs with a 102 fever. The August 24th performance is recorded and the result is the history-making best selling 2-disc album, “Hot August Night.” By December, the album is number 5 on the Billboard charts.

“Moods” album is certified gold.

Neil begins a 20-performance engagement at the Winter Garden Theater in New York City. The Winter Garden performances thrust Neil into superstardom, even though it is to be his last stage performance for more than three years. Shortly after the Winter Garden engagement, Neil begins a 3-year sabbatical from touring, during which, he says, he plans to “…study the piano…learn the technical language of music…and read.”

Neil appears at a Democratic Party fundraiser for Presidential candidate, George McGovern, hosted by Ethel Kennedy and Eunice Kennedy Shriver, in Rockville, Maryland. Neil performs “Sweet Caroline,” Mrs. Shriver’s favorite Diamond tune. Memorable also is the incident where Mrs. Kennedy pours a carton of beer over Neil, supposedly because he chose to perform Mrs. Shriver’s favorite song prior to performing “New York Boy,” Mrs. Kennedy’s favorite song.

Neil receives an offer from producer Hal Bartlett to compose the music for his new film, “Jonathan Livingston Seagull.” Bartlett guarantees 48 minutes of music will be used in the movie–almost unprecedented provision.

Life Magazine publishes feature article, “Diamond In The Smooth.”

UNI releases “Walk on Water” and “High Rolling Man” single.

MCA releases “Hot August Night” album. (Recorded live in concert at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles, California.)
(Initial chart run – 71 weeks.) (Re-enters charts on 3/12/1977 for 7 weeks.)

“Hot August Night” album is certified gold.

Bang releases “Double Gold” album.

Neil begins work on the score for the Hal Bartlett film, “Jonathan Livingston Seagull,” based on the book by Richard Bach.

At the 1972 Grammy ceremonies, “Moods” is nominated for both “Album Of The Year” and “The Best Engineered Recording.” “Song Sung Blue” is nominated for “Song Of The Year.”

MCA releases “Cherry, Cherry” and “Morningside” single.

Seventeen Magazine publishes feature article, “High Flying Balladeer.”

Bang releases “The Long Way Home” and “Monday, Monday” single.