Neil Sedaka, the singer-songwriter Neil Sedaka behind hits like 'Breaking Up Is Hard to Do,' died Friday at age 86 in Los Angeles. Paramedics rushed him to a hospital that morning after a medical call at his home. His family shared the news in a statement. They called him a rock and roll legend.
Key Takeaways
- Neil Sedaka died at 86 after deputies and firefighters responded to his West Hollywood home around 8 a.m. Friday.
- He leaves behind his wife of over 60 years, Leba Strassberg, and two children, Dara and Marc.
- Sedaka wrote and sang pop hits that topped charts in the 1960s and 1970s, including 'Laughter in the Rain' and 'Bad Blood.'
- His career lasted more than 60 years, with honors like a Hollywood Walk of Fame star and Songwriters Hall of Fame induction.
Background
Neil Sedaka grew up in Brooklyn's Brighton Beach. Music grabbed him early. His second-grade teacher saw talent. She pushed his parents to get him piano lessons. That led to a spot at Juilliard's Preparatory Division. There, he studied classical music as a kid. But pop called louder as a teen.
At 13, a neighbor linked him with Howard Greenfield. Greenfield was three years older. They teamed up for 25 years. That partnership built hits. Sedaka hit the Brill Building scene in the early 1960s. It's where songwriters cranked out top songs. He landed three No. 1 hits. Nine more cracked the Top 10 on Billboard's Hot 100.
His peak came then. But sales dipped later. Elton John stepped in during the mid-1970s. He pushed Sedaka's music. That sparked a comeback. They even cut 'Bad Blood' together. It hit No. 1 in 1975. Sedaka wrote for others too. 'Stupid Cupid' for Connie Francis in 1958. 'Love Will Keep Us Together' for Captain & Tennille in 1975. Both smashed charts.
Albums piled up. Dozens over decades. He toured right up to recent years. Grammy nods came five times. One as early as 1959. In 1978, Hollywood gave him a Walk of Fame star. Five years later, the Songwriters Hall of Fame welcomed him. Sedaka once said on his site that music was a gift he was born with. He aimed to top each new record. Raise the bar each time.
But fame had ups and downs. The 1960s boom faded by the early 1970s. Radio stations ignored him. Labels dropped records that didn't sell big. Still, he kept at it. Fans stuck around. New ones found him through covers and oldies stations. His songs popped up in movies and ads too. That kept his name alive. Like many from his era, Sedaka bridged teen idols and adult stars. He sang about love, heartbreak, laughs. Simple stuff that stuck.
Key Details
Sedaka felt unwell Friday morning. Around 8 a.m., a call went out from his home in West Hollywood. LA County Sheriff's deputies from the local station helped firefighters. They got him to the hospital fast. Details on what hit him stay private for now. No official cause of death came out right away.
His family spoke soon after. They told the news first to outlets close to the story.
Our family is devastated by the sudden passing of our beloved husband, father and grandfather, Neil Sedaka. 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 Family Statement
Leba Strassberg married him in 1962. They've been together over 60 years. Kids Dara and Marc survive him too. Grandkids round out the close ones. Sedaka lived most of his life in LA after early New York days. He worked from home studios often. Kept recording into his 80s.
Career Highlights
Hits defined him. 'Breaking Up Is Hard to Do' topped charts in 1962. He re-recorded it slower in 1975. That version hit big too. 'Calendar Girl' walked through months with girls' names. Fun and catchy. 'Laughter in the Rain' brought joy in 1974. Fans sang along for years.
He played piano like a pro. Wrote fast. Greenfield handled lyrics. Sedaka did melodies. Brill Building magic. They worked in small offices. Cranked out songs daily. Sedaka auditioned for groups early on. Joined The Tokens briefly. Sang backup on some records. But solo shone brightest.
Comeback owed Elton John. They met through mutual friends. John signed him to his label. Pushed albums. 'Sedaka's Back' in 1974. Sold well. Tours followed. John joined him onstage sometimes. Their duet 'Bad Blood' mixed rock edge with Sedaka's pop touch.
Awards stacked up. Songwriters Hall in 1983. Walk of Fame before that. Grammy tries never won big ones. Still, respect grew. Peers called him craftsman. Songs simple. Hooks strong. Lasted generations.
What This Means
Sedaka's gone. But his music plays on. Radio stations spun his tunes Friday night. Playlists updated with tributes. Streaming numbers likely jump. Fans young and old rediscover him. 'Breaking Up' trends online already.
Family faces quiet days ahead. Long marriage ends. Kids lose dad. Grandkids a grandpa. Services not announced yet. Private likely. Hollywood notes losses like this. Legends fade one by one.
Music world shifts a bit. Brill Building era slips further. Fewer left from that hit factory. New artists sample or cover him. Like Bruno Mars with fresh pop sounds. Or look at actors passing too, such as Bobby J. Brown from The Wire. Entertainment keeps turning.
Charts from decades ago feel distant. Yet Sedaka's voice stays fresh. Kids hear him first through parents. Or TikTok clips. His story shows staying power. Write hits. Keep performing. Fans return.
Young songwriters note his path. Start young. Partner smart. Bounce back. Sedaka did. Over 60 years. From Juilliard kid to chart king. Then elder statesman. Tours sold out late in life. Proof talent endures.
Pop loses a builder. He shaped sounds others built on. Covers keep coming. His own records sell steady. Estate handles that now. Tours canceled. But catalog lives. Millions stream daily.
Friends share stories. Greenfield gone years back. Elton John might speak soon. They bonded deep. Music tied them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Neil Sedaka die?
Paramedics took him to a Los Angeles hospital Friday morning after a medical call at home. No cause released yet.
What are Neil Sedaka's biggest hits?
'Breaking Up Is Hard to Do,' 'Laughter in the Rain,' 'Bad Blood,' and 'Calendar Girl' top the list. He wrote 'Stupid Cupid' and 'Love Will Keep Us Together' for others.
Who survives Neil Sedaka?
Wife Leba Strassberg, married since 1962. Children Dara and Marc. Grandchildren too.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Neil Sedaka die?
He was taken to a hospital Friday morning after a medical emergency at his West Hollywood home. Cause not released.
What are Neil Sedaka’s most famous songs?
Breaking Up Is Hard to Do, Laughter in the Rain, Bad Blood, Calendar Girl. He wrote Stupid Cupid and Love Will Keep Us Together for other artists.
Did Neil Sedaka win any major awards?
Hollywood Walk of Fame star in 1978. Inducted into Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1983. Five Grammy nominations.
