Favorite Seventies Artists In The News

Posted by Administrator on February 27th, 2026

Legendary singer-songwriter Neil Sedaka, known for hits such as "Bad Blood," "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do" and "Laughter in the Rain," died in Los Angeles on Feb. 27, after being rushed to a local hospital earlier in the day when he said he was feeling unwell. He was 86. "Our family is devastated by the sudden passing of our beloved husband, father and grandfather, Neil Sedaka," a family statement posted to the singer's Instagram account said. "A true rock n' 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." Born on Mar. 13, 1939, in Brooklyn, N.Y. -- Mr. Sedaka began his career while he was still a teen in the 1950s, becoming one of the world's first teen pop stars. He would go on to form The Tokens, a doo-wop group which later had a hit of its own with "The Lion Sleeps Tonight," before meeting his neighbor Howard Greenfield, who would become his songwriting partner, with their partnership going on to sell 40 million records in just the four years between 1959 and 1964. While on a two-year scholarship to the Julliard School in New York City, he sold his first tune, "Stupid Cupid," a hit for Connie Francis in 1958, as was his "Where The Boys Are" (which Francis sang in the hit teen movie of the same name) in 1961. On the advice of fellow songwriter Doc Pomus, he signed with Al Nevins and Don Kirshner's Aldon Publishing, which got him signed with RCA Records as a singer. In 1959 he had two hits: "The Diary" (#14) and "I Go Ape" (#42). More Sedaka-Greenfield hits followed between 1959-1962: "Oh! Carol" (#9), "Stairway to Heaven" (#9), "Calendar Girl" (#4), "Little Devil" (#11) and "Happy Birthday, Sweet Sixteen" (#6), "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do" (#1) and "Next Door to an Angel" (#5). After his performing career slowed in 1963, Mr. Sedaka and Greenfield continued to write hits for others, including "Workin' on a Groovy Thing" and "Puppet Man" for the Fifth Dimension and "Rainy Jane" for Davy Jones. After Mr. Sedaka began a performing comeback in England in 1973 he split up with Greenfield, and made three LPs in Britain with Graham Gouldman of 10cc coproducing. Elton John then helped him resume his U.S. performing and recording career, first by reissuing cuts from the three British LPs on one U.S. package, Sedaka's Back, then by signing him to his Rocket Records label. Sedaka's Back (#23, 1974) and The Hungry Years (#16, 1975) both went gold. "Laughter In the Rain" was a No. 1 hit for Mr. Sedaka in 1974, and his "Love Will Keep Us Together" (cowritten with Greenfield) was a No. 1 hit for the Captain and Tennille, winning a 1975 Grammy as Record of the Year. His second recording streak culminated in 1975 with another No. 1 smash, "Bad Blood," which featured Elton on backing vocals. He followed it with a bluesy reworking of "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do" (#8, 1976), and "Love in the Shadows" (#8, 1976). He then resumed his songwriting collaboration with Greenfield, and became a successful MOR ballad singer and made numerous concert and TV appearances, including being one of Saturday Night Live's first musical guests, and also appearing as a guest judge on American Idol. In all, he had 30 songs reach the Billboard pop chart, with nine of them becoming top 10 hits, and 11 of his albums making the all-genre Billboard Hot 200 album chart. In 1980 he and his daughter Dara Sedaka recorded "Should've Never Let You Go," which reached No. 19 on the pop chart. In addition to his five Grammy nods, Mr. Sedaka was also celebrated and recognized for his work throughout his career. He was inducted into the Songwriter's Hall of Fame, was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, received the Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award and Special International Award from the British professional songwriters association The Ivors, and more. Although his fans mounted a sustained campaign to have him inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame over the years, he was never inducted or nominated. In 2024, Mr. Sedaka partnered with Primary Wave to acquire a stake to the masters and publishing rights of his catalog. He is survived by his wife, Leba -- whom he married in 1962 -- daughter Dara, son Marc, and three grandchildren. - Billboard/The Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock, 2/27/26.