Neil Sedaka died at age 86 in Los Angeles, according to a family statement that described his sudden death. The creator of “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do,” “Calendar Girl,” and “Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen” was one of the most distinctive figures of the pre-Beatles pop scene, with a career spanning seven decades that included massive commercial success, international tours, a decline after the British Invasion, and a remarkable comeback.
From Brooklyn to Juilliard and the Brill Building
Born in 1939 in Brooklyn, New York, Neil Sedaka showed his rare musical gift from a very young age. At just 9 years old, he won a scholarship to the preparatory division of Juilliard School, later performing works by Debussy and Prokofiev on New York radio stations. Despite his strength in classical music, he turned to pop when he began writing songs with Howard Greenfield. The two established themselves in the historic Brill Building, which became a breeding ground for hits in the ’50s and ’60s.
Neil Sedaka’s historic hits that made music history
In 1962, “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do” reached the top of American charts and established Sedaka as the ultimate representative of teen pop. “Calendar Girl,” “Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen,” and “Oh! Carol” became anthems for an entire generation. Meanwhile, he wrote major hits for other artists. For Connie Francis, he penned “Stupid Cupid” and “Where the Boys Are,” while “Love Will Keep Us Together” became a massive hit for the duo Captain & Tennille. From 1959 to 1963, he sold more than 25 million records, achieving worldwide recognition.
— Neil Sedaka (@neilsedaka) February 27, 2026
The British Invasion, decline, and remarkable comeback
The rise of The Beatles and the changing musical landscape of the ’60s limited his appeal. However, in 1975 he made an impressive comeback with support from Elton John and Rocket Records. A new, ballad version of “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do” re-entered the Top 10, while “Laughter in the Rain” and “Bad Blood” achieved great success. He proved he wasn’t just a ’60s idol, but a creator with lasting power.
Return to roots and continuous creativity
In his later years, he returned to his classical roots, composing “Joie de Vivre” and the piano concerto “Manhattan Intermezzo,” recorded with the Philharmonia Orchestra. Even after 80, he continued performing live. In a previous interview, he had said: “There’s something about that adrenaline rush when you get a standing ovation. You might be sick, but on stage you become a different person.” With his death, a major chapter in American pop history closes, but his songs remain alive and timeless.
