Multi-platinum and 2x Grammy Nominee Joel Diamond has been lauded by some of the most notable people in the Music Industry. He has produced 47 Gold & Platinum recordings and has had over 100 charted Billboard records. His vast knowleddge and experience has included everything from music publishing, record production, song writing, personal management, and even having been a recording artist himself. He has held senior positions in both executive and creative capacities for major music companies, including Sony.
Just recently, a top Sony executive described him this way: "Joel is respected as one of the industry's more creatively oriented business people who always has his finger on the pulse of what's happening now."
CURRENT & RECENT
Joel Diamond produced and conceived “Dreams Come True” which consists of duets with some of the most distinctive and iconic male voices in the world. This will be the first time that all these great artists including Engelbert Humperdinck, Jack Jones, Tony Orlando, Gary Puckett, Steve Tyrell, Howard Hewett, Full Force, Jason Crabb, Benny Mardones, Robert Tepper, Bill Medley, Little Anthony, Tommy James, Jon Secada, Placido Domingo, Jr. & Easy E, Jr., all from so many varied genres, will appear together on one CD of all new recordings. Each and every cut is arranged and produced to bring out the best of each individual’s style of music and his own rich and distinctive artistry. This ground-breaking album is also demographically targeted at the people who actually buy CD’s. There is also data base of tens of thousands of email addresses from people all over the world who have already expressed how the center-piece song, “Dreams Come True”, has touched their lives. Even before its official release, the total number of YouTube views of “Dreams Come True” has now organically grown to over 58 Million views.
Each immediately recognized recording artist brings along his own loyal following, and their combined fan bases will help to cross-promote the album to an even a wider range of demographics, that will no doubt result in substantial sales.
Universal Music Publishing International currently administers Joel Diamond (Writer) and his Silver Blue Music/Oceans Blue Music publishing companies. Having this deal in place, in turn now gives Joel more freedom to create new recordings and the inside track to Universal’s Film, TV, and Record divisions. A win-win for all parties!
Joel Diamond had the highly imaginative vision for 5 siblings, Deondra, Desirae, Ryan, Melody, and Gregory, all attending Juilliard Music school at the same time (in history), to have them perform on their 5 concert grand Steinway pianos on stage all at the same time. With the help of Clive Davis and Sony/BMG Masterworks worldwide president Gilbert Hetherwick, Joel landed them their first recording contract. He then orchestrated the rest of the dream-team consisting of ICM for booking, hot music attorney Fred Davis for legal, Steinway & Sons for exclusive representation, and Rogers & Cowan for press. Joel also landed them a major book deal with a huge advance.
This resulted in Joel Diamond producing and managing The 5 Browns who literally became the "First Family of Classical Music" and dominated Billboard Magazine’s Classical Charts with their 3 consecutive #1 CD’s; at one point they held down both the #1 & #2 positions in Billboard, and knocked YoYo Ma out of the #1 position. Their first CD debuted at #1 and remained there for 22 weeks. Their second CD release also debuted #1 as well, holding in the Top 10 for 54 weeks, and their third CD also debuted #1 and featured a cameo from Chris Botti as well as a duet with Dean Martin. The Dean Martin duet with The 5 Browns also appeared on Dean’s EMI last CD (scanning over one million units) along with collaborations from: Joss Stone, Diana Ross, Martina McBride, etc.
The 5 Browns still perform to this day to "sold out” audiences performances across the country (and in Asia and Europe as well) with equally rave reviews. The 5 Browns story has aired an unprecedented 5 times on 60 Minutes, along with appearances on Good Morning America, Tonight Show with Jay Leno, NBC Today Show, Martha Stewart, The View, Tony Danza, etc. The Browns have been featured in People Magazine, NY Times, LA Times, and many of the major Teen Magazines. They have performed at The First Ladies Luncheon in Washington DC honoring Laura Bush, with a standing ovation from over 2,000 of the most powerful women in America. The 50,000 seat Rose Bowl in conjunction with VH1 had The 5 Browns headlining with the Pasadena Symphony Pops for the July 4th extravaganza.
Diamond’s Silver Blue Music publishing company landed a major cut on “The Black Album” for hip-hop Superstar, Jay Z, who has sold in excess 18 million albums Internationally..
Joel has worked with a group called TKO with Ray J, who as an artist and writer himself having had two huge hits “One Wish” and “Sexy Can I” as well as starring in his own reality show, “For The Love Of Ray J”. Joel and Ray J have recruited Ray J’s sister Brandy and phenomenal rapper Shorty Mac,for this new group.
Many people have asked Joel how he finds his new artists and he answers, “it seems that, for some reason, all my new artists have either been referred to me or I meet them through my every day life, but I still frequent clubs and showcases. It’s all about reputation and relationships.” Something he learned many years ago while working with Clive Davis, Joel always keeps his ear close to the streets and religiously takes the time to listen weekly to every song on Billboard’s Hot 100.
HISTORY
Joel Diamond began his music industry career by heading up MRC Music (the publishing arm of Mercury Records). He scored his first #1 record with "This Girl Is A Woman Now," as recorded by Gary Puckett and the Union Gap. He followed up with Steam's #1 "Na, Na, Hey, Hey" (on which he is also was one of the background singers) and then the Supremes' and Temptations' smash duo of "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me."
He organized MRC Music with keen instinct and by setting high standards for himself. He recruited virtual unknowns at the time such as: Janice Seigal, who is currently and has been from inception the lead singer of Manhattan Transfer; Phil Cody, who went on to write numerous top 10 hits with Neil Sedaka; Don Oriolo, the force behind Lisa Lisa's success, and also the current copyright owner of the famed cartoon characters Felix The Cat and Casper The Ghost; artist Benny Mardones, who scored his top 10 record twice with "Into The Night"; songwriter Alan Bernstein, who wrote “This Girl’s A Woman Now,” and later penned Engelbert Humperdinck's #1 records for Diamond, "After The Lovin'" and “This Moment In Time.” Robert Flax, who is the former President of EMI Music International and former partner with the law firm of Grubman/Indursky; and last, but not least, Diamond's #2 man and assistant, Tommy Mottola, who with Diamond's help, landed him his position at Chappell Music, which in turn afforded him the opportunity to launch the careers of Hall & Oats. Mottola, former husband of diva Mariah Carey, current husband of Thalia, Latin soap opera queen and pop star, currently heads up his own Universal distributed company after serving for 15 years as CEO of Sony Music Entertainment.
Clive Davis, former President of Arista Records, then President of CBS Records, became aware of Diamond's accomplishments. Davis brought Diamond on board and positioned him as the head of the CBS Music Publishing Division (replacing Tony Orlando, who was then riding the crest of his second #1 record, “Knock Three Times”) to oversee the New York, Los Angeles, and Nashville offices, as well as part of Clive’s personal A&R staff at CBS Records.
Diamond initiated his publishing/record signings with an unknown group, Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show, who went on to achieve 62 gold and platinum records worldwide. His second signing was that of two brothers who had written the classic song “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 and writers entitled "We’ve Gotta Get It On Again," which today Joel owns 50% of as well as at least 25 other Addrisi songs. Mama Cass' last top 10 record "Move In A Little Closer" hit the charts during this era and is currently owned by Diamond’s publishing company.
It was also during this period that Diamond's music publishing career flourished and gave him the opportunity to work closely with such writer/artist giants such as James Taylor, Laura Nyro, Harry Nilson, Van Morrison, The Bee Gees, Rod Stewart, Barry Manilow, David Bowie, etc. 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 power brokers of the industry. One such example is David Geffen, who recently donated 200 million dollars to UCLA according to a recent article in the LA times, and states that it all began for him in 1971. It was Diamond who was pivotal, as the head of the publishing company, along with CBS chief Clive Davis, that afforded Geffen his first seven figure deal in exchange for Laura Nyro’s Tuna Fish Music. This in turn afforded Geffen the luxury of signing Linda Ronstadt, The Eagles, and Jackson Browne, and became the nucleus and birth of Asylum Records
After several successful years at CBS/Sony, an offer made to Diamond to establish and run his own record label came from Polygram International. He used this opportunity to now produce records for the first time for his own label, as well as outside labels as well. This was also the birth of his currently successful & wholly owned publishing companies, Silver Blue Music and Oceans Blue Music, as well as the beginning of Silver Blue Records and Silver Blue Productions, Ltd..
Gearing his label early on mostly toward R&B and Dance, he scored no less than 27 chart successes, including several Billboard #1 R&B singles. Silver Blue Records signed Van McCoy, best known for his ground-breaking hit/dance, “The Hustle,” as an exclusive artist; and at the same time benefitted Silver Blue Music by purchasing 29 Van McCoy copyrights. Enjoying the art of producing, he carried it one step further by creating his own sound with himself as the artist. His first self-produced album that rode the charts during the height of the disco craze was "The Joel Diamond Experience", distributed by CBS Records followed by his Casablanca album, then a top 50 single Billboard hit, "Theme From Raging Bull", distributed by Motown, followed by an independently distributed album entitled Joel Diamond’s “House Gold” and a Silver Blue Records distributed deal with Henry Stone & TK Records. Joel Diamond's classic rendition (still being played today in clubs as the end of the evening spin), "Super-Strauss," was distributed by Atlantic Records.
To add yet another dimension to his string of successes, Diamond was approached by film producer Frank Capra, Jr. to write and produce the title song for Capra’s new movie, "Paradise," starring Phoebe Cates ("Fast Times At Ridgemont High"). The result was an astonishing success. The "Theme From Paradise" quickly became a gold and platinum record, selling 712,000 copies in Italy alone, and remained #1 for an amazing 22 weeks. This huge European success became the vehicle for Diamond weave a deal for Phoebe with an entire album with CBS/Sony Records.
Having proven successful with this project, the title track to a John Belushi movie, "Continental Divide," came next with Helen Reddy singing the title song and Joel producing. Then a chance meeting with Michael Uslan (of "Batman" fame), landed Joel the opportunity to write and produced the title them for the film "Swamp Thing.”.
Before Reality Shows were in fashion, Diamond co-wrote the title song for Gary Nardino's highly acclaimed Showtime Cable TV sitcom, "Brothers," which is now in network syndication. The show prides itself on having achieved for the first time on cable, over 100 episodes.
In addition, Diamond has had his copyrights performed on such major TV shows as Chicago Hope, ER, Friends, Beverly Hills 90210, 2001 Super Bowl, etc., as well as multiple features.
A film director in search of "authenticity" (for what turned out to be a critically acclaimed cult movie) gave Diamond an opportunity to stretch his talents even further. Diamond co-starred with Ruben Blades and Elizabeth Pena in one of Miramax’s first films, "Crossover Dreams". The film portrays Joel Diamond a/k/a Neil Silver as a highly successful record producer offering a big break to a Latino recording artist, Ruben Blades a/k/a Rudy Velez. This film and storyline no doubt was a template for today's Latino cross-over success in the music industry.
Certainly one of the apexes of Diamond's career (thus far) has been the 12 successful albums and 109 recordings he has produced for legendary recording artist, Engelbert Humperdinck. "After The Lovin'," was a 100% owned Diamond copyright, and was nominated twice for a Grammy, achieved platinum album and gold single status, won most played "Jukebox Record of the Year" award, top 10 best sheet music seller of all time, #1 Country record, and has surpassed the 4 million radio/TV performances as logged by BMI, which has only been accomplished by around 40 songs in BMI history and carries with it substantial monetary bonus awards. "This Moment In Time," another #1 record, 100% owned copyright and Diamond produced recording, is close to follow the achievements of "After The Lovin'".
It was also during this period of time, that Joel became a virtual magnet for many diversified and eclectic Pop, Country, R&B, and Middle of the Road Artists that the industry had given up on and boosted their careers by producing Billboard Hot 100 chart singles for such artists as: Helen Reddy, David Clayton-Thomas, Tommy James, Jay & The Americans, Gloria Gaynor, Howard Hewett, Clint Holmes, Steve Tyrell, Al Martino, Lana Cantrell, Eddie Arnold, Billy Crash Craddock, James Darren, Jack Jones etc. He also produced the one and only recording for Britt Ekland (married to Peter Sellers & The Bond girl), and also produced quite a unique perennial Christmas record with Joe Pesci & Frank Vincent.
An interesting occurrence in Europe happened for Diamond with superstar actor David Hasselhoff. When they met, David was then the star of Knight Rider, which was followed by BayWatch - the “most watched TV show” on the planet according to Guinness. After being turned down by virtually every U.S. record label, it was only Diamond who believe in David's talent, ability, and potential career in music. Joel Diamond personally underwrote and produced David's first recording session that resulted in making David’s dream come true. Little did anybody think that one year later after the recording, that David would achieve Gold & Platinum status in Germany (outselling Michael Jackson & Madonna) on .his first album on Silver Blue Records. This led to David Hasselhoff, also known as The Hoff, being voted the #1 recording artist in Germany, selling literally tens of millions of records, earning a cool $60,000 per performance and to this day selling out stadiums around the world.
An advanced copy of a song from a forthcoming Broadway Show, La Cage Aux Folles, given to Diamond by good friend, the late 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 producing “I Am What I Am” with recording artist Gloria Gaynor. It became an instant International success on Silver Blue Records, and was also the linchpin for the return of Joel to CBS, except this time with his own wholly owned record label. “I Am What I Am” became, and still is, Gloria’s biggest single since her classic of “I Will Survive” and is officially the Gay Anthem around the world.
The show “Chess” had just opened to rave reviews in London and Diamond was quick to get his hands on an advance backer's audition "cassette". Out of 20+ songs he heard on the tape (all performed "Broadway style," it was only “One Night In Bangkok” that jumped out at him. He booked a studio and recording session for the next day, and pinpointed NY model (and part-time singer) Robey to record it. Once again, his instinct was spot on, resulting in a landmark Top 10 record for Silver Blue Records in the US, along with the simultaneous release and top 10 charts in 23 countries.
The Family Film Awards was aired on CBS-TV. This was a concept put together and produced by Joel Diamond, Antonio Gellini, and Dick Clark - certainly, best known for the the Golden Globe Awards, Academy of Country Music Awards, Daytime Emmy Awards, and the legendary American Bandstand. The Show featured P.G. and G rated films exclusively, and was simulcast into 62 countries. A red carpet and star-studded evening indeed, with its Lifetime Award being presented to (an ailing and last TV appearance for) Bob Hope by Charlton Heston.
Benny Mardones was first discovered literally coming off a bus from Savage, MD by Joel Diamond. Joel gave Benny his opportunity to write and sing his first recordings. Joel produced Benny's first record called "Please Say You Want Me" followed by Joel producing "Tomorrow Means Another Day We're Apart" having gotten Benny a deal on CBS Records. Benny certainly carved out a major recording career after that having written and produced on of the most iconic rock songs ever and to this day, still in the Top 25 most played songs on the radio, "INTO THE NIGHT". It was Joel who made the Mike Curb connection for Benny to re-record "Into The Night" which landed him his second Top 10 record with the same song. It was only recently that Joel took Benny back in the studio to record "Into The Night" for the third time.
Benny Mardones has the distinction and unmatched record of having had the same song "Into The Night", recorded by the same artist Benny Mardones, different labels and decades, FIVE (5) times charted on the Billboard charts. Benny is also being considered for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Benny passed away much too early in June, 2020.
Joel Diamond also served as Vice-president and ran Maurice Starr’s Boston International Records, distributed and located on the Disney Studio Lot. Maurice Starr is best known as the creator, producer, manager, and writer of two of the industry music phenomenons: New Kids On The Block and New Edition. It was during this time that Maurice was red hot with 10 #1 records with New Kids, that Joel asked Maurice "is there anybody in the business you have never met but always wanted to?" Answer: "Frank Sinatra and David Geffen!" Joel then orchestrated shortly thereafter, not only a personal meeting for him and Maurice to meet with Frank Sinatra at his home in Beverly Hills, but also the beginnings of Maurice & Joel producing Frank's first Duets album. This meeting was then followed up by the second meeting for Maurice and Joel personally to meet with David Geffen at his office, at which time David offered Maurice his own label under the Geffen umbrella.
Although at the time, Joel had put out a call for a new young male singer, he was contacted by the mom of 11 year old Kaci, who was insistent that Joel would be interested in her daughter once he heard her sing. Not only was he interested, he was completely knocked out with her vocal ability, Joel landed Kaci her first single and album deal with Curb/Warner Bros. Kaci’s and re-recorded the song that he had such a huge success with in Italy, "Paradise". This time around "Paradise" debuted top 10 in England, and as of this date, has sold over 2 million units in the UK alone, and earned for Joel seven gold and platinum records, and one triple platinum. Paradise has also achieved gold status in Ireland, Greece, and Italy. Kaci, through Joel's contact with SFX for personal appearances, toured with Backstreet Boys, O'Town, etc., and starred on a Pepsi Tour in 2002. Kaci's second Diamond produced single release of "I Think I Love You," also charted top 10 in UK, gold in Ireland, and top 5 in Canada.
David Cassidy's 15 year old daughter, Katie Cassidy, created all the magic in Diamond recorded sessions that originally launched the success of her dad, with her Diamond produced debut "hip-hop" single of "I Think I Love You." Artemis Records ("Who Let The Dogs Out") had the insight to see the potential of lightning striking twice, and Danny Goldberg and Daniel Glass personally signed Katie to their label. Katie was featured in People Magazine, Parade, and many other local and national papers, as well as Diamond arranging for a two hour special on VH1 for Katie. Katie's career has now shifted into film and TV having been in three films and starring in multiple TV shows.
On the other side of the spectrum Joel produced his first "comedy album" for the one-of-a-kind, Andrew Dice Clay, and succeeded in orchestrating a duet for Andrew with Snoop Dogg. In literally two weeks, Joel got Dice a deal with EMI, releasing a Comedy Album that sold over 75,000 copies. After Andrew's return engagement to Madison Square Garden (FYI...the only comedian in history to ever sell out the Garden two nights in a row), strategically coinciding with the album release, his record sales went through the roof. Dice currently, in 2017, has two shows running on Showtime and is packing major venues again.
Legendary Ike Turner had put his trust in Diamond, and before Ike's passing, Joel put the final touches on his duet session, along with his wife, Audrey.
A re-record of a new Joel Diamond produced version of "Tie A Yellow Ribbon 'Round The Ole Oak Tree" featuring none other than Tony Orlando along with legendary rapper Young MC, is first time Tony allowed anybody other than his original producer, Hank Medress, to record him on this iconic song. Tony has incorporated this new rendition in his show, and receives a standing ovation each and every time.
With recognition always being the compliment of one's work, New York Magazine chose Joel Diamond, along with Jimmy Iovine and Phil Ramone, as one of “New York's Hottest Record Producers.” Billboard Magazine described Diamond as, "one of Contemporary Music's Best Record Producers sitting behind the board."
PHILOSOPHY
The problem with many artists today is that they want to be instant stars, without putting in the work. Getting signed to a label does not insure instant success, but rather it just means you are "signed." Now the work really begins and you better be sure you have a team around you that is passionate, motivated, and highly professional. The legendary Jerry Weintraub once said to me "if 'everybody' at the record label loves you too much, you're doing something wrong."
And David Geffen's early advise he gave to me personally was, "Keep your head down and hope you bump into a genius”. Music is the principle that unites body, soul, and spirit”, says Joel. The word "no" is just isn't is his vocabulary and he will eat through cement to get the job done. He listens to every single release on the Billboard charts to hone in on his skills to find new talent, and he also believes that the artists who are the tried-and-true talent "never die, but sometimes may just be taking a nap.”
PERSONAL
Joel was born and grew up in Passaic, NJ, and graduated from Rider College in Trenton, earning a BA Degree in business and psychology. He then went into the Army followed by going into the family business of selling Life Insurance (having achieved the million dollar round table consistently every month). His only two hobbies/passions growing up were ham radio (W2PYM) and being an American Bandstand addict, which served him well to create a solid foundation of music for his quests to come and currently, in 2017, is developing a screen play with a highly successful Hollywood writer/director.
Only through an associate in the life insurance business named George Meltzer, who was also an accordion player himself but never had the opportunity to pursue his own musical dream, did Joel now have the opportunity to finally express his own musical ability (although he performed many times on on Amateur night in the Catskills). George, who had his own weekend musical trio, allowed Joel to sing with his band at weddings and bar mitzvahs at a local Holiday Inn in Wayne, NJ. It was this crossroads in Joel's life and a mysterious myriad chain of events, that led him into the music industry "full time".
People who know Joel for any length of time will be quick to reminisce about his appearance twice as Cosmopolitan Magazine's "Bachelor of the Month", having received over 5,000 letters, in addition to his 20 year adventures in New York City, residing in his (entire) top floor of 220 Central Park South Penthouse (complete with elevator opening right into the apartment). His legendary New Year's Eve parties always included a very eclectic and achievement driven group of people from all walks of life. Robert Redford, Lily Tomlin, Sammy Davis,Jr., Regis Philbin, Joe Pesci, Salvadore Dali, Engelbert Humperdinck, and many more luminaries have all visited and several put bids in to lease his opulent pad. The national promotional "Radio Network" including king-pin Fred DiSipio, etc. was born on the terrace of Joel's Penthouse. Only recently the Penthouse, where Joel resided for 20 years, became the most expensive sale ever in the history of the US topping out at 248 Million.
Again, through a series of events, Joel Diamond found himself relocating to California and buying his first home in Tarzana. Not a bad move because he shortly thereafter sold it to Oscar winner Jamie Foxx, with whom he still maintains a friendship.
Joel resides in Calabasas, CA and is not only 100% still active in the music business but also has the energy, dedication, and lazer focus as he did 30 years ago.
Joel's daughter Briana, now in her thirties, graduated from the esteem Brooks Institute for Film & Journalism. Briana Diamond has already made her mark in the photography world and is now considered one of the leading photographers in Southern California for live events ... and is considered the "go-to" photographer for Weddings, Engagements, etc.
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