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Episode details

Radio 2,28 Dec 2025,58 mins

Hugh Jackman presents Neil Diamond at the BBC

Sounds of the 70s with Bob Harris

Available for 32 days

In what Hugh Jackman describes as a personal bucket list wish for him, the superstar actor and performer on stage and screen brings us classic BBC archive interviews with a legendary figure. Hugh has not only loved him since his childhood in Australia, but has also studied and met the musical legend as preparation for his new film role in Song Sung Blue. The movie is a true story about a Neil Diamond interpreter, who overcomes many hurdles pursuing the American dream. Hugh has a true insider’s insight into Neil, having sung karaoke with him and his family around the dinner table. In interviews with Steve Wright, Tim Smith, Paul Gambaccini, Nicky Campbell, Gloria Hunniford, Johnnie Walker and Matt Everitt, Neil talks about his classic songs, including I Am I Said, Sweet Caroline, Cracklin’ Rose, Solitary Man and many others. With both wisdom and a sense of humour, he talks about early days in the Brill Building, duetting with Barbra Streisand, acting alongside Laurence Olivier, confiding in Frank Sinatra, living a normal life with his kids, getting his first number one album, changing direction with producer Rick Rubin late in life, and having to prove his identity by singing in public.

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Tracklist

  1. Track
    Artist
  2. 1.
    Song Sung Blue
    Song Sung Blue
    Neil Diamond
  3. 2.
    Play Me (BBC TV, 1974)
    Play Me (BBC TV, 1974)
    Neil Diamond
  4. 3.
    I Am...I Said
    I Am...I Said
    Neil Diamond