Trio: Diamond, Ronstadt, Campbell Sing Medley of Neil’s Hits

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The trio of Neil Diamond, Linda Ronstadt and Glen Campbell in early 1971.

In early 1971, The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour was in the third year of what would be a four-season run. (The CBS variety program had begun as a summer replacement for The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour in 1968.) During its tenure as a full-time series, its likable host offered a showcase for many of music’s biggest stars including The Who, Three Dog Night, Stevie Wonder, Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash, Ray Charles, Willie Nelson, B.J. Thomas, Seals & Crofts, and dozens more.

On the episode that aired on January 10, 1971, Campbell was joined by his guests Liberace and F Troop‘s Larry Storch in a campy pirate-themed sketch. (If you knew that the sitcom lasted just two seasons, raise your hand.)

The final segment of the episode was devoted to a medley of songs written by Neil Diamond, the acclaimed singer-songwriter, who was weeks’ shy of his 30th birthday. On hand to perform such favorites as “Holly Holy,” “I’m a Believer” and the lively “Thank the Lord For the Night Time,” was Linda Ronstadt. The brilliant singer was just 24 years-old and still so new to audiences that she had only earned two hits to that point: 1967’s #13 single with the Stone Poneys, “Different Drum,” and “Long, Long Time,” which reached #25 in 1970. (It would be another three years before she broke through with such recordings as “You’re No Good” and “When Will I Be Loved.”) The pair were joined by Campbell, the senior member of the trio at 34, who can be seen dancing up a storm at the start of the segment.