Before becoming two of the most iconic names in music, Barbra Streisand and Neil Diamond shared a significant connection during their high school years at Erasmus Hall High School in Brooklyn, New York. As classmates and members of the school choir, the two future legends of music found common ground in their shared love of singing.
Attending the school in the late 1950s, Streisand and Diamond both had aspirations of becoming professional musicians, though they were on very different musical paths at the time. Barbra Streisand, with her powerhouse voice and unmatched talent, would go on to dominate the worlds of pop, jazz, and Broadway. Neil Diamond, with his unique blend of folk, rock, and pop, would eventually write and perform some of the most memorable songs in music history.
In their early years at Erasmus Hall, it’s said that Streisand and Diamond both stood out for their musical talent. While Streisand‘s vocal ability was already clear, Diamond was honing his skills as a budding songwriter and performer. The choir was one of the few places where their paths crossed, offering them the chance to sing together and collaborate musically long before they became global superstars.
Their time together at Erasmus Hall High School was short, as their careers quickly took them in different directions. Streisand went on to study at the Julliard School and later rose to fame, while Diamond began his journey as a songwriter and solo artist. However, the connection they shared during those formative years in the choir is a fascinating footnote in their musical histories.
As time went on, both Barbra Streisand and Neil Diamond would go on to achieve unparalleled success in their respective careers. Streisand‘s career as an actress, singer, and producer made her a household name, while Diamond became one of the best-selling musicians of all time, with hits like “Sweet Caroline” and “Cracklin’ Rosie.”
While their paths diverged, the fact that these two iconic artists attended the same high school and sang in the same choir adds a special layer to their individual journeys. The connection between Streisand and Diamond offers a unique and touching glimpse into their shared beginnings before they became the legends we know today.