Legendary singer Neil Sedaka has passed away at the age of 86. The renowned musician, famous for hits such as Breaking Up Is Hard to Do and Laughter in the Rain, fell ill towards the end of the week.
Reports indicate that Sedaka was taken to a hospital in Los Angeles after feeling unwell on Friday morning and being transported by ambulance, as confirmed by TMZ. Authorities stated that deputies assisted the fire department in response to a medical request.
In a statement to The Mirror, Sedaka’s family expressed their devastation at the sudden loss of their beloved husband, father, and grandfather. They described him as a rock and roll legend, an inspiration to millions, and above all, an exceptional human being who will be deeply missed.
Throughout his illustrious career in showbiz, Sedaka was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1983 and later honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Following a quieter period after his initial success, he transitioned to songwriting for other artists, collaborating with notable names like ABBA and Elton John.
Known for his collaborations with songwriters Howard “Howie” Greenfield and Phil Cody, Sedaka produced timeless tracks like Tony Christie’s (Is This The Way To) Amarillo and the hit Stupid Cupid performed by Connie Francis in 1958.
Apart from his music career, Sedaka made several television appearances, including on shows like The Carol Burnett Show and Saturday Night Live. He also served as a guest judge on American Idol in 2003. In recent years, he engaged with fans through social media, launching the Today’s Mini-Concert series on YouTube during the COVID-19 lockdowns and continuing to share his piano performances post-pandemic.
In his personal life, Sedaka was married to Leba Strassberg since 1962, and they have two children, Dara, a singer, and Marc, a writer. Although he maintained privacy about his family, he did share a heartfelt message on Instagram last September in celebration of National Grandparents’ Day.
Neil Sedaka leaves behind a lasting legacy in the music industry and will be remembered for his contributions to the world of entertainment.
