American singer-songwriter Neil Sedaka, who wrote and performed classics 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.
«Our family is devastated by the sudden passing of our beloved husband, father and grandfather,» his family said in a statement. «A true rock and roll legend, an inspiration to millions, but most importantly, an incredible human being who will be deeply missed.»
A gifted pianist and five-time Grammy nominee, Sedaka also wrote hits for other famous musicians across his six-decade career. His family did not reveal the cause of death or where he died.
Born in Brooklyn, Sedaka studied at the prestigious Juilliard School and was a founder of the doo-wop group The Tokens in the late 1950s. He achieved several chart-topping hits in the early 1960s and returned to Billboard’s Top 10 in 1975 after writing Love Will Keep Us Together for Captain & Tennille. He also recorded multiple albums for Elton John’s label in the 1970s.
Sedaka wrote his first hit as a teenager, co-writing Stupid Cupid, which was recorded by Connie Francis in 1958. His popularity waned in the late 1960s with the rise of the British Invasion.
In a 2012 BBC interview while performing at London’s Royal Albert Hall, Sedaka reflected on his career, saying:
«It’s wonderful for the soul to be able to play classical music. But to travel around, playing your own lyrics and music is a very rewarding feeling and I chose that, and I have no regrets.»
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