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Neil Sedaka, Pop Legend, Dies at 86
27 Feb
Summary
- Neil Sedaka, hitmaker behind "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do," passed away.
- He enjoyed two successful eras in the 60s and 70s.
- Sedaka also wrote hits for other artists like Connie Francis.
Neil Sedaka, the celebrated crooner and songwriter responsible for timeless classics such as "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do" and "Laughter in the Rain," passed away on Friday, February 27, at the age of 86. His representatives confirmed his death, with his family releasing a statement expressing their profound grief.
Sedaka achieved significant success across two distinct eras. His early 1960s output featured sugary pop and doo-wop tunes like "Breaking Up" and "Oh! Carol" that dominated pre-Beatles charts. He later experienced a resurgence in the 1970s as an adult contemporary artist with hits including "Laughter in the Rain" and "Bad Blood."
Born in Brooklyn, Sedaka displayed early musical talent, earning a place at the Juilliard School. Simultaneously, he embraced rock and roll, co-founding the doo-wop group The Tokens. Alongside his songwriting partner Howard Greenfield, Sedaka became a fixture at the Brill Building, crafting hits like "Stupid Cupid" for Connie Francis, which led to his own record deal.
Sedaka's career faced a setback with the arrival of The Beatles, leading to financial difficulties. However, he found renewed success in the early 1970s, particularly in England. His comeback was bolstered by Elton John, who signed Sedaka to his Rocket Record Company. The compilation "Sedaka's Back" achieved gold certification in the U.S.
In 1975, Sedaka had a landmark year, topping the Billboard Hot 100 twice with "Laughter In the Rain" and "Bad Blood." His ballad version of "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do" also reached the Top 10. His influence extended to other artists, with Captain and Tennille hitting number one with his song "Love Will Keep Us Together."
Throughout his career, Sedaka demonstrated international appeal, recording songs in multiple languages. He continued to perform and record, releasing his final studio album in 2016. In recent years, Sedaka found a new audience on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, sharing performances and clips of his music.
