Neil Sedaka, the classically trained piano prodigy who conquered the pop charts in the 1960s and 1970s, has died. He was 86.
The legendary singer-songwriter passed away on Friday in Los Angeles after the pop pioneer was rushed to a local hospital by ambulance earlier that morning.
“Our family is devastated by the sudden passing of our beloved husband, father and grandfather,” the Sedaka family confirmed in a statement.
“A true rock and roll legend, an inspiration to millions, but most importantly, at least to those of us who were lucky enough to know him, an incredible human being who will be deeply missed.”
The Monkees’ Micky Dolenz took to social media on Friday to mourn the songwriter. Sedaka, he said, was “one of those rare songwriters who could do it all”.
“He gave the world so many great hits of his own, and Monkees fans will know his work, too – he co-wrote When Love Comes Knocking at Your Door with Carole Bayer Sager, along with a few other songs that found their way into our world.”
Carole King paid tribute to her former high school beau: “Neil Sedaka was so talented, and he inspired me to follow my dream of being a songwriter.”
Born in Brooklyn in 1939, Neil Sedaka studied classical piano at the prestigious Juilliard School of Music prep school in Manhattan from the age of nine. However, his life took a sharp turn toward the recording studio in the late 1950s when he and his neighbour, longtime collaborator Howard Greenfield, began crafting songs that would define the era.
He kept their music making secret from his mother, who had much higher aspirations for him.
In 1958 at age 19, he and Greenfield had a massive hit with Stupid Cupid, sung by Connie Francis, the success of which catapulted him into a solo career. During the early 1960s, Sedaka became a fixture on the Billboard charts with upbeat melodies as Oh! Carol, written for Carole King as well as Calendar Girl, Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen, and his first No. 1 hit, Breaking Up Is Hard To Do.
Sedaka’s career stagnated with the arrival of Beatles, but he managed to orchestrate one of the most successful comebacks in music history during the 1970s with the support of Elton John, who had signed him to Rocket Records.
He returned to the hit parade with Love Will Keep Us Together for Captain & Tennille.
Sedaka was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1983 and continued to perform well into his 80s, even hosting mini-concerts from his living room for fans during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sedaka said performing was the engine that kept him going.
Just days before he died, the performer shared a video on social media promoting a new track, Good Times, Good Music and Good Friends, telling fans the title summed up his personal philosophy. The track is featured on a new streamed recording, Steppin’ Out, which was to be available in April.
He is survived by his wife of over 60 years, Leba Strassberg, and their two children, Marc and Dara.
Wires and Linda Morris
