Neil Diamond

Neil Diamond delivered his chestnut "Sweet Caroline," a song older than most of this year's Grammy nominees, with the kind of formal informality one might expect in a Catskills supper club.Strolling down the star-packed center aisle, he casually grasped the shoulder of an anonymous Coldplay dude, who clapped like a merry schoolboy.

A crowd of more than 2,000 gathered to pay tribute to Neil Diamond, above, at the 19th annual MusiCares Person of the Year celebration, held at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Friday night, the Associated Press reported. Mr. Diamond, 68, was honored by a procession of guests who sang covers of his songs, including Jennifer Hudson performing “Holly Holy,” Coldplay singing “I’m a Believer,” and even the Jonas Brothers, who began the evening’s show with “Forever in Blue Jeans.

Mr. Diamond’s mother, Rose, was in attendance, and he thanked her, telling the crowd that his parents had bought him a $10 guitar when he was a young man growing up in Brooklyn. “It was a good investment, Mom,” he said.Prison-bound rapper T.I., hand on chin, nodded along and attempted to discern the source of the old guy's mojo. Paul McCartney urged those seated nearby to cheer. Jay-Z leapt to his feet at "Sweet Caroline"'s conclusion, applauding heartily.