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If you walk into a cinema today to see the new movie Song Sung Blue, you might think you are just watching a sparkly Hollywood story starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson. But behind the big screen and the bright lights lies a true story so wild and so full of heart that even the real Neil Diamond couldn’t stop himself from crying.
Song Sung Blue BTS: How Neil Diamond Called Hugh Jackman in Tears
The movie features a real-life inspiration of Mike and Claire Sardina, two ordinary people from Milwaukee who became a legendary duo called Lightning and Thunder.
Mike was a mechanic with a gravelly voice, and Claire was a hairdresser with a dream. They didn’t just like Neil Diamond; they worshipped his music.
The couple spent their lives in matching sequined shirts, performing in small bars and festivals. All they sang were Diamond’s songs! Their journey of being Diamond fans eventually led them to fall in love and get married right in the middle of the Wisconsin State Fair in 1994!
But why did everyone fall in love with them? It was because of the pure love they had for Neil.
In 1995, the famous rock star Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam saw them singing their hearts out at a festival. He was so amazed by their passion that he invited them to open for him in front of 30,000 screaming people. Imagine a local mechanic and his wife suddenly becoming stars just because they believed in the power of a Neil Diamond song!
They might be the biggest Neil fans at that point, yet they were not able to meet Neil. Then, life took a sadder turn for them. In 1999, a terrible accident happened, and Claire lost her leg. Many people would have quit, but Claire said that Neil’s music was her medicine. She put on a prosthetic leg and went right back to the stage to sing.
When asked why they did it, they simply said that singing Neil’s songs made them feel alive. It gave them a way to survive the hard times.
Song Sung Blue / Thunder Meets Neil Diamond!
The most magical part happened in 2008. A documentary film was made about their life. It got so famous that even Neil Diamond watched it! His heart melted, and he invited Claire to his concert and hugged her backstage. He told her that her tribute was an honor to him and gave her legal rights to her songs!
Sadly, by then, Mike had passed away; he never got to meet his idol.
Neil Diamond also gave the movie producers the legal rights to the movie. Now, the movie is so famous that it has been nominated for an Oscar!
It shows the world that Neil Diamond is not just a singer, but an inspiration who helps ordinary people do extraordinary things. Whether you are a fan or not, you have to respect the legacy and aura he has! Follow us for more updates and secret stories that you never knew about Neil Diamond.
