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Yesterday, we highlighted one of Barbra Streisand's biggest hits, and today we're turning our attention to her former high school classmate (Erasmus High School In Brooklyn), and later duet partner--Neil Diamond, who just turned 83 years old.
Back in 1980, when Neil Diamond and his collaborator Gilbert Becaud were working on the film soundtrack for "The Jazz Singer," (starring Neil),they came up with a reggae song called "Scotch on the Rocks."
They decided NOT to include it in the film after they realized it could be turned in to a much better non-reggae ballad by changing the title to "Love on the Rocks" and reworking the lyrics.
It was a wise decision. "Love on the Rocks" turned out to be one of the best songs in the film, and when it was released as a single from the soundtrack in late 1980, not only was it showered with almost universal acclaim by music critics, it climbed all the way to #2 on Billboard's Hot 100 and #3 on the Adult Contemporary Chart in early '81.
Happy 83rd, Neil...we hope you're holding your own in your battle with Parkinson's disease...and thanks for ALL your Great Songs, including "Love on the Rocks."
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