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Before they were the king and queen of the music world, they were just two awkward teenagers in Brooklyn. Guess who I’m talking about?!
Neil Diamond and Barbra Streisand.
As kids, both superstars attended the same school, Erasmus Hall High School. They were also a part of the same choir! While they practiced their scales in the school’s Choral Club, they also became buddies outside of class.
Neil later joked that they used to hang out at the front of the school and smoke cigarettes together.
Neil Diamond – Erasmus Hall Memories/Brooklyn Roads
Can you imagine? Two of the greatest voices in history, probably worrying about their homework or their crushes while leaning against a brick wall in Brooklyn.
This friendship followed them to their fame. Even though they were friends in school, they didn’t record a song together for years.
In 1977, Neil wrote a sad song called “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers.” He recorded it alone, and a year later, Barbra recorded her own version.
Then, something “viral” happened (even before the internet!).
Barbra Streisand Neil Diamond – You Don’t Bring Me Flowers
A radio DJ in Kentucky realized both songs were in the same key. He used a tape machine to “splice” their voices together, making it sound like a duet. Fans went crazy! People called the radio station crying because the “mashup” was so beautiful. Neil and Barbra saw how much the world loved it, so they finally got together in a real studio to record the official version.
Their duet quickly reached Number 1 on the charts in 1978 and became one of the most famous duets of all time. In 1980, Barbara and Neil both performed it at the Grammys. It was the first time the two high school friends sang it live together, and the audience gave them a standing ovation!
Who knew a high school choir could produce two of the biggest stars ever? Follow us for more legendary stories about Neil Diamond. The man who started from nothing has a life that continues to inspire millions.
