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Neil Sedaka passes

Sedaka passed away today, in Los Angeles at age 86, shortly after a hospital admission. His family described him as a beloved husband, father, and grandfather (married to Leba since 1962, with two children). His upbeat melodies and craftsmanship left an indelible mark on pop music across generations.

Neil Sedaka (March 13, 1939 – February 27, 2026) was an American singer, songwriter, pianist, and composer whose career spanned nearly seven decades. He was one of the most prolific and enduring figures in pop music, writing or co-writing over 500 songs and selling millions of records worldwide as both a performer and a behind-the-scenes tunesmith.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, to a Jewish family (his father was a taxi driver of Turkish descent, his mother of Polish-Russian heritage), Sedaka showed musical talent early. He began classical piano training at age eight or nine and earned a scholarship to the Juilliard School’s Preparatory Division. He excelled there, even being voted the best New York high school pianist by Arthur Rubinstein at age 16. While rooted in classical music, he was drawn to pop and rock ‘n’ roll as a teenager.

Sedaka’s professional career began in 1957. He co-founded the doo-wop group The Tokens (known later for “The Lion Sleeps Tonight”) but soon focused on songwriting and performing solo.He formed a legendary partnership with lyricist Howard “Howie” Greenfield in the mid-1950s, becoming key figures in the Brill Building era of pop songwriting in New York. Their early breakthrough came when Connie Francis recorded “Stupid Cupid” (1958), followed by her massive hit “Where the Boys Are” (1960).Sedaka signed with RCA Victor as both writer and performer. He became a teen idol with a string of upbeat, catchy hits characterized by his distinctive high tenor and multi-tracked vocals:

“Oh! Carol” (1959, inspired by Carole King)
“Calendar Girl” (1960)
“Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen” (1961)
“Breaking Up Is Hard to Do” (1962, his first U.S. No. 1)

These songs captured the innocent spirit of early rock ‘n’ roll and became enduring classics.

By the mid-1960s, Sedaka’s solo pop career waned amid the British Invasion and changing tastes. He shifted focus to songwriting for other artists, penning hits like:”(Is This the Way to) Amarillo” (Tony Christie) He remained active but less visible as a performer.

Sedaka staged a major revival in the 1970s, starting in the UK with his 1972 album Emergence. Elton John signed him to Rocket Records, leading to U.S. success with albums like Sedaka’s Back (1974) and The Hungry Years (1975).

“Laughter in the Rain” (No. 1 in 1975)
“Bad Blood” (No. 1 in 1975)
A slowed-down ballad remake of “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do” (No. 1 in 1976, making history as the first song to top the charts in two versions by the same artist)

He also wrote “Love Will Keep Us Together” (1975), a Grammy-winning Record of the Year for Captain & Tennille.

Sedaka continued writing, performing, and touring into the 21st century, including international shows and symphony collaborations. He released over 25 studio albums, earned five Grammy nominations, and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1983 (later receiving the Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award).

His songs appeared in films, TV, and covers by diverse artists. He maintained an active presence, including mini-concerts on social media during the COVID-19 pandemic.