‘Legendary’ Neil Sedaka, singer of Breaking Up Is Hard To Do, dies aged 86
‘Legendary’ Neil Sedaka, singer of Breaking Up Is Hard To Do, dies aged 86
Neil Sedaka, the acclaimed singer-songwriter behind the timeless classic “Breaking Up Is Hard To Do,” has passed away at the age of 86. His family released a statement on February 27, sharing their profound sorrow over his unexpected death.
Our family is devastated by the sudden passing of our beloved husband, father, and grandfather.
Sedaka’s legacy as a musical pioneer includes co-writing iconic tracks for other artists, such as Connie Francis’s “Stupid Cupid” and Tony Christie’s “(Is This The Way To) Amarillo.” His own chart-topping works include “Stairway to Heaven” and “Calendar Girl,” both of which reached the US Top 10.
As a teenager, Sedaka and his neighbor Howard Greenfield penned their first successful song together. “Stupid Cupid,” released in 1958, marked the beginning of a long and influential career. He later attended Julliard School in New York and co-founded The Tokens, a doo-wop group, during the late 1950s.
The 1960s saw a shift in Sedaka’s focus as British Invasion bands like The Beatles dominated the charts. This period led him to concentrate on writing for other artists, but he made a comeback in 1975 with “Love Will Keep Us Together,” performed by Captain & Tennille.
Throughout his six-decade-long journey, Sedaka worked with major names in the industry, including Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Tom Jones, and the Monkees. Micky Dolenz, a member of the Monkees, praised his talent on X, noting his contribution to the band’s hit “When Love Comes Knocking at Your Door.”
I was saddened to hear of Neil Sedaka’s passing. A rare talent, he gave us many hits and co-wrote “When Love Comes Knocking at Your Door” with Carole Bayer Sager, beloved by Monkees fans too.
DJ and singer Tony Blackburn also honored Sedaka, stating: “How sad that Neil Sedaka has passed away. He was one of my favorites and I met him and interviewed him several times. He was a talented and lovely man.”
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