Neil Sedaka, Renowned Singer-Songwriter, Passes Away at 86
American singer-songwriter Neil Sedaka, known for writing numerous hits during the 1950s and 1960s including "Oh! Carol," "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do," "Bad Blood," "Laughter in the Rain," and "Calendar Girl," has died at the age of 86.
His family confirmed the news in a statement to the BBC, expressing their grief over the loss.
"Our family is devastated by the sudden passing of our beloved husband, father and grandfather," the statement read.
"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."
Sedaka was a skilled pianist and a five-time Grammy Award nominee. Throughout his six-decade career, he also wrote hits for several other prominent musicians.
The family has not disclosed the cause of death or the location where he passed away.
Early Life and Career
Born in Brooklyn, Sedaka studied at the prestigious Juilliard School in New York. In the late 1950s, he was a founding member of the doo-wop group The Tokens.
He produced several hits in the early 1960s and made a notable return to the Billboard Top 10 chart in 1975 by writing "Love Will Keep Us Together" for the duo Captain & Tennille. During the 1970s, he also recorded multiple albums under Elton John's record label.
His first hit song was co-written with his neighbor while he was still a teenager. Connie Francis recorded and released "Stupid Cupid" in 1958.
Sedaka's popularity in mainstream music declined in the late 1960s as the British Invasion reshaped the American music scene.
Later Years and Reflections
In 2012, during a visit to London where he performed a piano concerto at the Royal Albert Hall, Sedaka spoke about his musical journey in an interview with the BBC.
"It's wonderful for the soul to be able to play classical music," he said.
"But to travel around, playing your own lyrics and music is a very rewarding feeling and I chose that, and I have no regrets."
