Neil Sedaka, the singer-songwriter whose indelible pop melodies powered classics such as “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do,” “Calendar Girl,” “Laughter in the Rain” and “Bad Blood,” has died at 86, his representative confirmed.
In a family statement, Sedaka was remembered as a beloved husband, father, and grandfather, as well as a rock and roll legend whose music inspired millions over more than six decades.
A Brooklyn native and product of the storied Brill Building songwriting scene, Sedaka scored three No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 and placed nine singles in the Top 10. His initial run of chart dominance came in the early 1960s, followed by a major mid-1970s comeback aided by his friend and admirer Elton John, who joined him on the 1975 chart-topper “Bad Blood.”
Born March 13, 1939, and raised in Brighton Beach, Sedaka displayed prodigious musical talent at an early age. After a teacher recommended piano lessons, he earned a scholarship to the Preparatory Division for Children at the Juilliard School, where he studied through his teens. Though trained in classical music, he gravitated toward pop as a teenager.
At 13, he began a songwriting partnership with Howard Greenfield, a collaboration that would span a quarter century. The pair became fixtures of the Brill Building, alongside fellow Brooklynites such as Carole King and Neil Diamond. Their early breakthrough came in 1959 when Connie Francis recorded their “Stupid Cupid,” followed by “Where the Boys Are,” which became her signature hit.
Sedaka soon launched a solo career with RCA Victor, delivering a string of early-’60s hits, including “Oh! Carol,” Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen,” “Next Door to an Angel,” and the original upbeat version of “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do.” But the British Invasion and changing pop tastes slowed his momentum, and he shifted his focus to songwriting for others, penning or co-writing songs recorded by Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Tom Jones, and the Monkees, among many more.
A career revival began overseas. In Australia, “Star-Crossed Lovers” found success in 1969, and his 1972 album “Solitaire” gained traction in the United Kingdom. The title track was later covered by the Carpenters and Andy Williams. Around the same period, Sedaka and lyricist Phil Cody wrote English lyrics for the Swedish group then known as Björn & Benny, Agnetha & Anni-Frid; the resulting song, “Ring Ring,” helped launch the band that would soon be rechristened ABBA.
Signing to Elton John’s Rocket label in the mid-1970s, Sedaka returned to the top of the U.S. charts with “Laughter in the Rain,” followed by the Captain and Tennille’s smash version of “Love Will Keep Us Together,” which he had co-written years earlier. A slowed-down remake of “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do” also became a Top 10 hit.
Over his career, Sedaka earned five Grammy nominations, was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1983, and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He continued touring and recording well into the 21st century, officially retiring from songwriting in 2022 and later selling his catalog to Primary Wave Music.
Sedaka is survived by his wife of more than 60 years, Leba Strassberg, and their children, Marc and Dara.
Source: Variety