Neil Diamond is releasing a new album eight years after stepping away from live performances due to his diagnosis with Parkinson’s disease.
The 85 year old singer songwriter will release Wild At Heart on 8 May 2026, marking his first major new project since retiring from touring in 2018.
New album completes trilogy with Rick Rubin
The record features material created during studio sessions with Rick Rubin and completes a trilogy of collaborations that began with 12 Songs (2005) and Home Before Dark (2008).
Diamond said:
“My work with Rick was a labor of love, and I’m so gratified that these songs will finally be set free into the world to complete our trilogy of work.”
Mix of unreleased songs and new recordings
Wild At Heart will include 10 tracks, combining archived recordings with newly completed material.
The album features nine previously unreleased songs, alongside an alternative version of Forgotten, originally released on Home Before Dark.
Life after touring and diagnosis
Diamond retired from touring in 2018 after publicly confirming his Parkinson’s diagnosis, a degenerative neurological condition that affects movement.
Speaking in a 2023 interview on CBS Sunday Morning, he reflected on the time it took to come to terms with the condition.
“When the doctor told me what it was, I was just not ready to accept it.”
“I said: ‘Oh, OK, I’ll see you whenever you want to see me, but I have work to do, so I’ll see you later’ …”
He added that acceptance came gradually.
“Somehow, a calm has moved in and the hurricane of my life and things have gotten very quiet.”
“And I like it. I find that I like myself better. I’m easier on people. I’m easier on myself and the beat goes on and it will go on long after I’m gone.”
Continuing to create despite limitations
Diamond acknowledged the ongoing challenges of living with Parkinson’s, while maintaining his commitment to music.
“I’m still doing it [accepting the condition] and I don’t like it.”
“There’s no cure, there’s no getting away from it… But I’ve come to accept what limitations I have and still have great days.”
Despite stepping back from touring, Wild At Heart shows that Diamond remains creatively active, with new material now set to reach listeners for the first time.
