Neil Diamond, 84, Performs ‘Sweet Caroline’ and Collaborates with Cher and Streisand

Neil Diamond is a singer and songwriter who rose to fame in the 1960s.

He’s known for chart-topping hits like Sweet Caroline, Forever In Blue Jeans, Cracklin’ Rosie and Song Sung Blue.

Diamond has sold more than 130 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling musicians of all time. 

He’s also written songs for other artists, including the Monkees, Jay and the Americans, the Ronettes, and Sonny and Cher.

On Saturday the 84-year-old legend was honored at the Carousel Of Hope Ball in Denver. By his side was his wife Katie and son Jesse.

Event Chairman Dana Davis hosted The 39th Annual Carousel Ball, presented by Dexcom, at the Hyatt Regency Denver in Denver. 

The biennial event returned to present Diamond with the ‘Inspirational Lifetime Achievement Award’ and The MacMillan Family with the High Hopes Tribute Award.

Patrons of the evening were treated to a show-stopping performance from the Goo Goo Dolls. 

The event raised $2 million this year, and has raised $119 million to date.

The 39th Annual Carousel Ball celebrated all the remarkable things the Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes (BDC) has accomplished and brought to the forefront of diabetes care, as well as the exciting research and influential moments they have been a part of since its inception in 1978. 

The Ball aims to raise awareness of type 1 diabetes and support clinical care and research at the BDC, which provides specialized care for children, adolescents, and young adults, while also conducting extensive clinical and basic science programs to prevent and ultimately cure this chronic, life-threatening condition.

Dana Davis kicked off the evening’s festivities to welcome guests and pay homage to her parents, Barbara Davis and Marvin Davis, who started CDF and the BDC 50 years ago after she was first diagnosed.

‘The Children’s Diabetes Foundation and the Barbara Davis Center have accomplished more than my parents could have imagined. Together, we have contributed to the advancement of life-changing technologies… And thanks to your generosity, we have raised over $117 million to further this mission.’

She added: ‘But our work is far from finished. Our vision is bold: to achieve the next 50 years of progress in just 25 – bringing us closer to prevention, better care for everyone living with Type 1 diabetes, and a cure.’

Diamond was honored with the ‘Inspirational Lifetime Achievement Award’ in honor of his incredible service and dedication to the BDC and the role he has played in advancing type 1 diabetes care and clinical research.

The music icon accepted the award alongside his wife and son, Katie and Jesse Diamond.

‘I’ve been through it all now, and I’m still coming back for more,’ said Diamond, who has proudly served on CDF’s Advisory Board and has attended and performed at the organization’s previous star-studded fundraising galas.

‘I remember being a 15-year-old in Brooklyn and dreaming of a day like this… My sincere thanks to Barbara and Dana [Davis] for including me in this beautiful evening… 

‘I’m proud to be a champion for this cause and grateful to be part of a night that brings hope to so many. Thank you, thank you, and thank you.’

Neil was also surprised with a congratulations video featuring Hugh Jackman – who stars in the highly anticipated musical drama Song Sung Blue, following Jackman opposite Kate Hudson in a Neil Diamond tribute band: ‘I’m thrilled you’re getting this award, because you are inspirational – not just through your music and creativity, but through your heart and your generosity. As a performer myself, you inspire me every single day. The way you connect with audiences, the way you connect to your music, the authenticity of who you are, it’s everything to me.’

Country star Luke Bryan added: ‘Congratulations, I’m a huge fan of you and all you’ve done for music… All my career, if I’m losing a crowd, all I gotta do is play ‘Sweet Caroline,’ and I got ’em back. And my wife’s named Caroline, too, so that helps!’

Honorary Event Chair and CDF Co-Founder Barbara Davis added: ‘It’s such a thrill to see you again and to know that you are very happy. Truly, Neil, you spread love, and I give you this award. There is no one who doesn’t know and care about Neil Diamond, so I wish you and Katie [Diamond] a happy, happy life.’

Diamond treated attendees with a live performance of his 1969 hit ‘Sweet Caroline’ with Broadway star Nick Fradiani, who played Neil Diamond in the hit Broadway musical and current tour based on Neil’s life, ‘The Neil Diamond Musical: A Beautiful Noise.’ The unforgettable exchange was reminiscent of an impromptu duet Diamond gave with George Clooney at CDF’s Beverly Hills gala in 2012, which became a beloved viral moment for the organization.

Diamond’s illustrious career, spanning over five decades, has seen him sell over 130 million albums, placing him among the best-selling rock musicians ever. He has had 18 Top 10 albums and scored nearly 40 Top 40 singles, with 10 reaching number one. A GRAMMY Award-winning artist, Diamond is a member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. He also has received two of the highest honors bestowed upon songwriters: the Johnny Mercer Award and the Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award. His achievements include a Golden Globe Award, 13 GRAMMY nominations, an American Music Award, an ASCAP Film and Television Award, and a Billboard Icon Award.

The MacMillan Family were also honored at the event, receiving the ‘High Hopes Tribute Award’ for their over three decades of support and service. Darius Anderson, a member of the MacMillan family living with type 1 diabetes, accepted the award on their behalf. The MacMillans, based in Denver (home to CDF’s base of operations), have served on several committees, donated auction items, made generous contributions, and brought dozens of guests to the wonderful and important events that support the organization.

Four-time GRAMMY-nominated rock band Goo Goo Dolls closed out the evening with an incredible performance of hit songs including ‘Iris,’ ‘Slide,’ ‘Name,’ Sympathy,’ and ‘Better Days.’ Beyond selling 15 million records worldwide, John Rzeznik and Robby Takac have together garnered nearly a dozen platinum and gold singles combined and seized a page in the history books by achieving 15 number one and Top 10 hits. As a result, they hold the all-time radio record for ‘Most Top 10 Singles.’

On the heels of going viral on TikTok, the band’s global hit ‘Iris’ is now Certified Diamond and amassed over 5 billion streams to date. The track continues to reach new audiences around the world, yet again proving the timelessness and staying power of Goo Goo Dolls’ illustrious catalog.

The event also held an auction featuring hot ticket items such as a Travis Kecle signed jersey; a stunning 18K white gold necklace with 2.3 carats of exquisite natural diamonds; and a four-night stay at the Four Seasons Resort Anguilla, with a winning bid of $14,000.

Type 1 diabetes, which affects more than 9.5 million people worldwide, is on the rise. In the United States, approximately 64,000 people are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes each year—about 60% of new diagnoses occur in adults, and roughly 30,000 are children. The Carousel Balls have raised almost $119 million to date, with proceeds supporting the Children’s Diabetes Foundation, the fundraising arm of and the BDC. The BDC provides state-of-the-art care to more than 8,000 patients from 49 states and over 33 countries, including 35% who live at or below the poverty level and 45% who are underinsured or uninsured.

The 2025 Carousel Ball is proudly presented by Dexcom, a company empowering people to take control of health through innovative glucose sensing technology. Underwriting support is provided by Sanofi. Additional sponsorship generously provided by 5280 Magazine, the official media sponsor of The Carousel Ball, the Abrams Family, MacMillan Family, Hyatt Regency Denver, The Corley Legacy Foundation, RBC Wealth Management, Eva Schoonmaker, Iris & Michael Smith and 7Cellars Wines by John Elway. CBS Colorado is the broadcast partner and KBCO is the radio partner of The Carousel Ball.