Neil Sedaka, hitmaking singer-songwriter of the 60s and 70, dies at 86

NEW YORK — Neil Sedaka, the acclaimed singer-songwriter whose string of chart-topping hits helped define early rock ’n’ roll and whose career enjoyed a major resurgence in the 1970s, has died. He was 86.

Sedaka, known for classics such as “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do” and “Laughter in the Rain,” died Friday, according to a statement released by his family.

“Our family is devastated by the sudden passing of our beloved husband, father and grandfather, Neil Sedaka,” the family said. “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.”

No further details regarding the cause of death were immediately disclosed.

A Brill Building Pioneer

A central figure in New York’s famed Brill Building songwriting community, Sedaka partnered with lyricist Howard Greenfield, his childhood friend and neighbor. Together, they crafted a series of hits that captured the innocence of the post-Elvis, pre-Beatles era of the late 1950s and early 1960s. Among them were “Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen,” “Calendar Girl,” and “Oh! Carol,” the latter inspired by his high school sweetheart, Carole King.

Between 1959 and 1962, Sedaka placed 10 songs in the Top 10, cementing his reputation as one of the era’s leading pop voices. However, the British Invasion led by The Beatles and the rise of psychedelic and protest music pushed the Brill Building sound from the charts, ushering in what Sedaka later described as 13 years “in the wilderness.”

A Remarkable Comeback

Sedaka’s career experienced a revival in the mid-1970s, aided by Elton John, who signed him to Rocket Records. The resulting album, “Sedaka’s Back,” reintroduced him to American audiences and produced major hits including “Bad Blood” and “Laughter in the Rain.”

He achieved a rare distinction with “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do,” which reached No. 1 in its original upbeat 1962 version and again in 1975 after Sedaka re-recorded it as a ballad.

The Captain & Tennille’s rendition of his “Love Will Keep Us Together” became a chart-topping success in 1975 and earned a Grammy Award for Best Album. At the close of the song, Toni Tennille famously declared, “Sedaka’s back!”

A Life in Music

Born and raised in Brooklyn’s Brighton Beach neighborhood, Sedaka was the son of a Jewish taxi driver and began performing as a teenager. Encouraged by a second-grade teacher who recognized his musical talent, his mother, Eleanor, worked in a department store to purchase him a piano and later managed his career.

At 16, Sedaka was selected by Arthur Rubenstein as New York City’s top high school piano student. That same year, he embraced rock ’n’ roll, performing an original song, “Mr. Moon,” with Greenfield before a lively high school audience.

After studying at Juilliard, Sedaka signed with RCA Victor Records in 1958. His debut single, “The Diary,” achieved modest success, and he soon became a regular performer on Dick Clark’s “American Bandstand” and “Shindig!”

Throughout his career, Sedaka’s songs were recorded by a wide array of artists, including Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, The 5th Dimension and Nickelback. He also helped launch Connie Francis’ career with “Stupid Cupid” and “Where the Boys Are.”

Despite never being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Sedaka was honored by the Songwriters Hall of Fame for his enduring contributions to popular music.

Enduring Passion

Well into his 80s, Sedaka continued performing dozens of concerts annually. Reflecting on his longevity, he told The Associated Press in 2012: “It’s nice to be a legend, but it’s better to be a working legend.”

He is survived by his wife, Leba, whom he married in 1962, and their two children. His daughter Dara recorded a hit duet with him in 1980, “Should’ve Never Let You Go,” while his son Marc became a film and television writer.

With a catalog that sold millions worldwide and melodies that spanned generations, Neil Sedaka leaves behind a legacy firmly embedded in the history of popular music.