By Davan 
During the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors, Lionel Richie delivered a moving rendition of I Am…I Said, paying tribute to Neil Diamond’s legendary career. As the event honored Diamond alongside Barbara Cook, Sonny Rollins, Meryl Streep, and Yo-Yo Ma, Richie’s soulful performance captivated the audience, proving that Diamond’s music transcends generations and genres.
Lionel Richie Pays Tribute to His Idol Neil Diamond with a Stunning Performance of “I Am… I Said” at the 2011 Kennedy Center Honors
Few artists have had the kind of enduring success and universal appeal as Lionel Richie. With a career spanning over five decades, Richie has made an indelible mark on the music industry—first as the frontman of the Commodores, one of Motown’s most successful groups, and later as a solo artist whose catalog includes some of the most iconic songs in pop and R&B history.
But despite his own legendary status, Richie has always been vocal about the artists who inspired him to pursue a career in music. One name that often comes up in his interviews? Neil Diamond.
A Full-Circle Moment at the Kennedy Center Honors
Fast-forward to 2011, and Richie was given the chance to pay tribute to the very man who inspired him to become a musician. That year, Neil Diamond was one of the honorees at the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors, a lifetime achievement recognition given to artists who have significantly impacted American culture through the performing arts.
During the ceremony, Lionel Richie took the stage and delivered a stirring performance of Diamond’s 1971 classic, “I Am… I Said”—a deeply personal song about loneliness, longing, and identity.