Neil Sedaka, the beloved ’60s hitmaker behind some of the most unforgettable bubblegum pop anthems of all time, has died at 86, his family confirmed. The legendary singer-songwriter was reportedly rushed to a Los Angeles hospital Friday morning after feeling unwell. Hours later, his loved ones were mourning what they called a “sudden passing.”
“We are devastated by the sudden passing of our beloved husband, father, and grandfather,” the family shared in a heartfelt statement.
Born in Brooklyn in 1939, Sedaka rose to fame at the dawn of rock ‘n’ roll and quickly became a household name. His catchy, piano-driven hits dominated radios in the late ’50s and early ’60s, including Oh! Carol, Calendar Girl, Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen, and Breaking Up Is Hard to Do — songs that defined a generation of young love and heartbreak.
But Sedaka wasn’t just a teen idol with a microphone. The classically trained pianist was a songwriting powerhouse, penning more than 500 songs over the course of his decades-long career. His talent stretched far beyond his own recordings. He wrote Love Will Keep Us Together, later turned into a smash hit by Captain & Tennille, and Ring Ring, recorded by Swedish superstars ABBA before they conquered the world stage.
Over the years, Sedaka earned five Grammy nominations, a 1983 induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame — cementing his place in music history.
His cause of death has not yet been disclosed.
Sedaka is survived by his wife of more than 60 years, Leba Stassberg, and their children, Marc and Dara. His family described him as “an incredible human being who will be deeply missed.”
Sad, but we all have a finite length of rope.
A tremendous talent for many, many years.
R.I.P. Sur !