Good times never seemed so good at Fenway Park Saturday (June 18th), when Neil Diamond made a rare live appearance to sing his 1969 hit “Sweet Caroline” in person. The musician went out to the ball game to promote the long-delayed opening of his new musical Neil Diamond: A Beautiful Noise, joined in the stands by the play’s star Will Swenson.
“Sweet Caroline” has been an 8th inning staple at Sox games since the tradition began 25 years ago, and Diamond has even come to Fenway to sing it himself twice before — once in 2010 and again in 2013. But this most recent cameo marked an especially momentous occasion, as the soft-rocker retired from touring in 2018 due to a Parkinson’s diagnosis. Even with the Sox down 10-2 against the St. Louis Cardinals, Fenway was overflowing with fans exciting filling in each bah-bah-bah. Watch a clip of Diamond leading the sing-along at Fenway below.
After its six-week residency in Boston, Neil Diamond: A Beautiful Noise will finally make its Broadway debut this fall. Way back in March 2020, Diamond did a deed of public service by reworking “Sweet Caroline” into an ode to hand washing. If you’re in the market for some nostalgia, you can watch archival footage of Diamond performing “Sweet Caroline” live on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1969 over on the famed talk show’s YouTube channel.
Neil Diamond singing “Sweet Caroline” at Fenway Park is incredible 🎤 🙌 pic.twitter.com/P1yRDJR5ho
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) June 19, 2022