Joel Diamond Experience

Growing up in Passaic, New Jersey two things were important to the young Diamond, ham radio and American Bandstand. Both would influence the eventual outcome of his life and career. Before they could alter his destiny he graduated from Rider College and joined the family business selling insurance. While racking up record breaking insurance sales by day, the young Joel was warbling hits by night at the local Holiday Inn. It didn't take long for his career decision to be made.
Joel began his music industry career in 1969 by heading up MRC Music (the publishing arm of Mercury Records). He scored his first #1 success with "This Girl Is A Woman Now," as recorded by Gary Puckett and the Union Gap. He followed that with Steam's #1, "Na, Na, Hey, Hey," and the Supremes/Temptations duet of "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me."
While heading MRC he recruited virtual unknowns at the time such as: Janis Siegal, (of The Manhattan Transfer), Phil Cody, (who would later write numerous top ten hits with Neil Sedaka), Don Oriolo, (the force behind Lisa Lisa's fame), artist Benny Mardones, (who scored his #10 record twice with "Into The Night"), songwriter Alan Bernstein, (who penned Engelbert Humperdinck's #1 record for Diamond, "After The Lovin';"), Robert Flax, (who is Senior Vice President of EMI Music International), and last, but not least, Diamond's #2 man and assistant, Tommy Mottola. Mottola, who with Diamond's help, landed his position at Chappell Music, which in turn afforded him the opportunity to launch the careers of Hall & Oats. Mottola is the current President and CEO of Sony/CBS Entertainment Group.
Clive Davis, founder and former President of Arista Records, then President of CBS Records, became aware of Joel's achievements. Clive hired Joel as the head of the CBS Music Publishing Division (replacing super-star Tony Orlando, who was then riding the crest of his second #1 record with Dawn) over seeing the New York, Los Angeles, and Nashville offices. Joel was also part of Clive's personal A&R staff at CBS Records.
It was during this period of Diamond's music publishing career that he had the opportunity to work closely and build long-lasting relationships at every level with gifted songwriters, producers, managers, studio owners, attorneys, and record company heads. Many of whom are today's giants in the music industry.
While at CBS he began his successful career of publishing/record signings with an unknown group, Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show. Dr. Hook would ultimately scored 62 gold and platinum records worldwide. His second signing was that of two brothers who had written "Never My Love," which not only achieved the #1 position three different times by three different artists, but also just recently received an unprecedented 6 Million Performance Award from BMI. The Addrisi Brothers, thanks to Diamond, now had their first #1 record as recording artists as well as writers entitled "We've Gotta Get It On Again." Mama Cass Elliott's last top 10 record, "Move In A Little Closer," hit the charts during this era and is currently owned by his publishing company.
After several successful years at CBS, an offer for Joel to establish and run his own record label came from Polygram International. He used this opportunity to produce records for his own label, as well as outside labels. This was also the birth of his currently successful publishing companies Silver Blue and Oceans Blue Music Publishing, as well as the creation and inception of Silver Blue Records, and Silver Blue Productions.
Gearing his label early on toward R&B/Disco, he scored no less than 27 chart successes, including several Billboard #1 R&B singles. Silver Blue Records signed the late Van McCoy as an exclusive artist, while also purchasing 29 Van McCoy copyrights at the same time. Enjoying the art of producing, he carried it one step further by creating his own sound with himself as the artist.
"Silver Blue" debuted in 1977 with the single "We Got Love On Our Side" which is not on their 1978 album. Their album was an instant club success. The controversial cover featured a dapper Diamond as a svengali-esque master with two disco diva slaves, (pre Robert Palmer video), on leashes. Inside was a rehashing of old rock hits and popular standards done ala disco. The album did well and brought him out from behind the desk and introduced him to the club-goers who would remain his biggest audience. There were several 12 inch releases from the album. Only the 12 inch of Light My Fire was different from the album version. The other 12 inch releases of Tennessee Waltz and others were not different.
A move to the premier disco label, Casablanca, in 1979 brought us "The Joel Diamond Experience" album. The cover, once again, featured Joel and two disco divas riding a harmonica to ecstasy. So the man had bad taste in album covers, let's not let this diminish his obvious talents. The album produced the classic 12" single "Tall In The Saddle." Other cuts that were programmed were: "Music Machine," "Just As Long As I'm Dancing" and "I'm Only Human."
He then had a top 50 single Billboard hit, "Theme From Raging Bull" on Motown, followed by an independently distributed album entitled "Joel Diamond’s “House Gold.” A final release came in 1982 with his 12" single of "Super Strauss" on Atlantic Records. The record has since become somewhat of a late night classic.
An advanced copy of a song from a forthcoming Broadway Show, "La Cage Aux Folles," given to Diamond by good friend Allen Carr, would be another turning point in Diamond’s career. In a matter of days upon hearing this song, he was in the studio to produce “I Am What I Am” for recording artist Gloria Gaynor. It became an instant international success on Silver Blue/CBS records, and was also the linchpin for the return of Joel to CBS, except this time with his own wholly owned record label.
The show “Chess” had just opened to rave reviews in London and Diamond was quick to get his hands on an advance soundtrack, and responded to only one song in the entire show, “One Night In Bangkok.” He promptly coordinated a recording session, and rushed successful NY model (and part-time singer) Robey into the studio. Once again, his instinct was correct, and the result was Robey’s first top ten record for Silver Blue/CBS and the second 12" single hit for his label.
A third 12" single for the label came from the remade movie "Where The Boys Are." The title track was recorded into a hot dance mix by none other than Liza Minnelli's kid sister Lorna (Luft). Once again Diamond's label scored another major club hit and cemented it's place in disco history.
Diamond has continued on in the 1980's and 1990's as one of the industries' most active men. Besides his many publishing projects he has also gotten involved in film and television work. His projects have included the films; "Continental Divide," "Paradise" and the T.V. show "Brothers" among many. A film director in search of authenticity (for what turned out to be a critically acclaimed movie) gave Joel an opportunity to stretch his talents even further. Diamond co-starred with Ruben Blades and Elizabeth Pena in "Crossover Dreams." The film portrays Joel Diamond a/k/a Neil Silver giving a break to a Latino recording artist, Ruben Blades a/k/a Rudy Velez, and successfully crossing him over from the Latin market into the American market. A role he was a natural for.
People who know Joel well, will be quick to reminisce about his adventures of 22 years in New York City, residing in his (entire) top floor Central Park South Penthouse, complete with elevator opening right into the apartment. This was certainly enhanced and complimented (or complicated) by Joel becoming the only "Bachelor of the Month" to ever appear twice in Cosmopolitan Magazine (resulting in over 4,000 letters), his legendary New Year's Eve parties, and his dinner parties which always included a very eclectic and achievement driven group of people from all walks of life.
Joel now leads a very different, but yet very fulfilling lifestyle. Recently divorced and once more single, he resides in his multi acre gated estate, tucked away deep in the hills of Calabasas, CA.
As for Joel Diamond on those pictures, does he not look like a combination of Rod Stewart and Barry Manilow ?

* Joel Diamond Experience - Music Machine (In And Out).MP3