Singer-songwriter Neil Sedaka died Friday on the age of 86, ABC Information has confirmed.
“Our household is devastated by the sudden passing of our beloved husband, father and grandfather, Neil Sedaka,” learn a press release from the musician’s household. “A real rock and roll legend, an inspiration to thousands and thousands, however most significantly, at the least to these of us who had been fortunate sufficient to know him, an unbelievable human being who can be deeply missed.”
Sedaka rose to fame within the late ’50s and early ’60s, due to common hits like “Calendar Lady,” “Blissful Birthday Candy Sixteen,” “Oh! Carol,” and what turned his signature track, “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do,” which went to No. 1 in 1962. In 1975, he launched a slowed-down model of the identical track, which turned a high 10 hit in 1976 and earned him a Grammy nomination.
A portrait of singer Neil Sedaka at a grand piano.
Bettmann Archive/Getty Photographs
Sedaka’s profession as an artist noticed a decline within the mid-’60s, because of the recognition of The Beatles and the so-called British Invasion, though he had continued success writing songs for different artists like Frank Sinatra, The Monkees and others.
He additionally remained a profitable performer within the U.Ok. the place he launched a trio of common albums: “Emergence,” “Solitaire” and “The Tra-La Days Are Over. “These albums prompted Elton John to signed Sedaka to his Rocket Data label, and helped reintroduce him to American audiences.
Neil Sedaka throughout a efficiency, circa 1975.
David Redfern/Redferns/Getty Photographs
Sedaka noticed a renewed recognition as a performer within the mid-’70s, due to the albums launched on John’s label. One, “Sedaka’s Again,” featured the No. 1 track the “Laughter in the Rain,” whereas “The Hungry Years” included one other No.1 hit, “Unhealthy Blood,” with an uncredited Elton John on backing vocals.
Neil Sedaka performs on the Group Theatre, Could 14, 2010, in Morristown, N.J.
Bobby Financial institution/WireImage/Getty Photographs
Sedaka additionally maintained a profitable songwriting profession, writing tunes for different artists, together with the Captain and Tennille track “Love Will Keep Us Together,” which went to No. 1 and earned Sedaka and co-writer Howard Greenfield a Grammy for document of the yr.
Sedaka was inducted into the Songwriters Corridor of Fame in 1983, which additionally gave him the Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004.
