Universal Music Now Owns Neil Diamond's Entire Catalog After Singer Did THIS

For almost six decades in the music industry, Neil Diamond can be considered one of his generation's esteemed music icons.

From his 1974 hit "I've Been This Way Before" to the 1969 classic hit "Sweet Caroline," Neil Diamond is indeed one of the best-selling musicians of all time.

But recently, the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Awardee made a significant decision on who gets to have his entire discography that he has built for almost 60 years.

In an undisclosed sum, the Universal Music Publishing Group announced their acquisition of Neil Diamond's entire song collection and the rights to all recordings from his career.

The agreement covers songs, masters, videos, 110 previously unheard tracks, and an unreleased album, among other things. It will also cover any new songs that Diamond would want to record in the future, should he wish to go back to the studio.

Universal Music Publishing Group will now manage Neil's post-1972 projects with his late 1960s to early 1970s songs recorded with UMG's MCA Records -- including "Holly Holy," "Sweet Caroline," "Cracklin' Rosie," and "Song Sung Blue."

Neil Diamond's commercial success is undoubtedly one of the most illustrious ones. Aside from receiving a Kennedy Center Honors in 2011, he was also inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in the same year,

Diamond has over 70 of his discography hit the Billboard charts, thus earning him a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018.

Working with UMG

Neil Diamond and the Universal Publishing division have been working hand-in-hand since 2014 and became his publishing administrator.

The 81-year old singer also inked a recording and licensing deal with the company for non-MCA recordings that in total produced three studio albums, "Dreams," "Melody Roads," Acoustic Christmas."

Diamond had worked with Universal's publishing division since 2014, when it began serving as his publishing administrator. He has also had a recording and licensing deal with UMG for non-MCA recordings since 2013 (through UMG's Capitol Music Group division and Universal Music Enterprises), which has seen the production of three albums.

In a statement, Neil says he feels "confident" in UMG's Global Team to represent his catalog and future releases.

"The Neil Diamond Musical: A Beautiful Noise," including songs inspired by Diamond's life and written by Ken Davenport and Bob Gaudio, will open on Broadway on June 21 after a six-week preview run at Boston's Emerson Colonial Theatre.