Neil Diamond Blocked From No. 1 On A Chart He’s Never Reached Before

BusinessHollywood & EntertainmentNeil Diamond Blocked From No. 1 On A Chart He’s Never Reached BeforeByHugh McIntyre,Senior Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Hugh McIntyre covers music, with a focus on the global charts.Follow AuthorMay 19, 2026, 09:31am EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.Decades into his career, Neil Diamond reaches one U.K. chart for the first time with his new album Wild at Heart — and it nearly opens at No. 1. LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 07: Honoree Neil Diamond attends the 24th annual Keep Memory Alive "Power of Love Gala" benefit for the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health honoring him at MGM Grand Garden Arena on March 07, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Gabe Ginsberg/Getty Images)Getty ImagesThroughout much of his career, the music Neil Diamond recorded was largely classified as pop, although sometimes the word rock seemed more appropriate. As is the case with many successful musicians from decades past, new labels are applied from time to time as the industry reevaluates certain collections or tunes using more specific phrases. In the United Kingdom this week, Diamond collects a new charting album, one which brings him to a genre-specific list for the first time in his career – and he almost earns a very late champion.Neil Diamond Debuts Wild at Heart – Almost at No. 1Wild at Heart brings Diamond to the Official Americana chart for the first time as it debuts at No. 2. The tally looks at the top-selling releases of any length in that one style, and despite being a musician that is always closely associated with American music, Diamond has never before scored a win on the Official Americana roster.Neil Diamond Debuts His Latest Behind Noah KahanNoah Kahan performs onstage at the Pre-GRAMMY Gala held at The Beverly Hilton on February 3, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by...