I have seen him live and he was amazing!!!! I have been a fan sionce carcklin Rosie was first in the charts and he forst appeared on TOTP. I used to have Hot August Night on 8 track in my then BF's XJ6 and we would drive through town playing it full blast!!!
I love Neil Diamond -me thinks peeps are afraid to out themselves lol
I certainly wouldnt knock him as a songwriter/musician even if his musical style doesnt suit your taste or else :)