One of pop’s most enduring songwriters, Neil Sedaka, has died.
Sedaka died aged 86 after a career that extended from after World War II to the countercultural days of Elton John.
He a singer and the beloved songwriter behind hit songs such as Breaking Up is Hard to Do, and Love Will Keep Us Together.
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Arrow
His cause of death remains unclear.
“Our family is devastated by the sudden passing of our beloved husband, father and grandfather, Neil Sedaka,” his family said on Friday.
“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,” his family said in Friday’s statement.
Sedaka’s cause of death remains unclear. Credit: Neilsedaka.com
Sedaka got his start in high school, performing with a doo-wop group, the Tokens, that recorded two hit singles.
Later collaboration with his young neighbour, Howard Greenfield, led to a songwriting partnership that lasted a half-century and resulted in 40 million records sold between 1959 and 1963, according to his official bio.
Sedaka’s reign extended beyond the innocent postwar times and, in the 1970s, he was reintroduced to music fans by Elton John and his label, Rocket, which released Sedaka’s Back in 1974 and The Hungry Years in 1975.
In 1995, he leaned on his classical training at Juilliard to release Classically Sedaka.
He would later be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Teen girl fights for life after horrific head-on crash
0 min read
Retail giant roasted for ‘disgraceful’ Matildas blunder
2 min read
