Editorial: Best wishes to legend Neil Diamond after Parkinson's diagnosis

Hawke's Bay Today News Editor James Ford.

Many local Neil Diamond fans will still be reeling following the news that the American hit-maker has cancelled his Australian and New Zealand tour dates.

The legendary singer, songwriter and performer, announced his retirement from touring due to his recent diagnosis of Parkinson's disease.

The onset of the disease made it difficult to travel and perform on a large scale basis, but will allow Diamond to continue his writing, recording and development of new projects.

Diamond, who is one of the world's best-selling artists of all time, having sold more than 135 million records worldwide, was set to wow a packed house at the Mission Estate Concert.

The 76-year-old would have been the jewel in a crown of artists to have performed at the Mission Concert, including the Beautiful Noise of Carole King, Rod Stewart, Sting, Tom Jones, Eric Clapton, Engelbert Humperdinck, The Beach Boys, Kenny Rogers, Dionne Warwick and Ray Charles.

Obviously there will be thousands of disappointed fans in Hawke's Bay and beyond that were all set for a night of Yesterday's Songs.

The moment the breaking news went live comments poured in on to the Hawke's Bay Today Facebook page.

Endearingly, a large number of them were not posts airing their own grievances at missing out on seeing a living legend live. But rather sympathy for a man who will now start an incredibly challenging battle against a disease that is close to so many of us.

My best wishes go to Mr Diamond after receiving such awful news.

But, luckily for us, we'll always have the songs of the Solitary Man, If You Know What I Mean.