Rock and Roll Legend Neil Sedaka Dies
NEIL SEDAKA – The singer-songwriter has passed away at the age of 86.
Known for his clear, youthful voice and catchy melodies, he became one of the most popular artists during the early years of rock and roll and later enjoyed a strong comeback in the 1970s. Among his most famous songs are Breaking Up Is Hard to Do and Laughter in the Rain, which became major hits and remain classics today.
His family shared that they are heartbroken over his sudden passing. They described him not only as a music legend who inspired millions around the world, but also as a loving husband, father, grandfather, and a kind person who meant so much to those close to him. As of now, no further details about the cause of his death have been released.
Sedaka was an important figure in the famous Brill Building, where many hit songs were written during the late 1950s and early 1960s. He worked closely with lyricist Howard Greenfield, creating songs that captured the innocent and romantic spirit of teenagers during that time. Some of these include Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen, Calendar Girl, and Oh! Carol, the last of which was inspired by his high school sweetheart, singer-songwriter Carole King.
Born in Brooklyn and trained at Juilliard, Sedaka began performing as a teenager and continued entertaining audiences for decades. Even in his 80s, he performed dozens of concerts each year, maintaining his vocal strength and passion for music. He once shared that while many singers experience vocal changes as they age, he was grateful that his voice remained strong. For him, being remembered as a legend was meaningful, but continuing to perform and connect with audiences mattered even more.
Over the years, his songs sold millions of copies worldwide and were recorded by artists such as Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra. He also helped boost the career of Connie Francis with songs like Stupid Cupid and Where the Boys Are. His songwriting also played a key role in the success of The Captain & Tennille and their Grammy-winning hit Love Will Keep Us Together.