- On February 27, Neil Sedaka passed away at the age of 86.
- Prior to his passing, Sedaka had been hospitalized du to a medical emergency.
- Sedaka is remembered as a monumentally influential songwriter whose beloved works spans the ’60s and ’70s.
Neil Sedaka, the American singer, songwriter, and pianist whose pop hits spanned more than six decades, died on February 27, at the age of 86. He was hospitalized in Los Angeles, California after experiencing a medical emergency and died later that same day, according to reporting and family statements surrounding his passing.
In a statement shared by loved ones, Sedaka’s family said they were “devastated by the sudden passing of our beloved husband, father and grandfather,” calling him “a true rock and roll legend, an inspiration to millions, but most importantly … an incredible human being who will be deeply missed.” The family did not immediately provide further details about his death.
Diving into the music landscape
Sedaka was bornon March 13, 1939, in New York City and began his musical career as a teenager after training in classical piano. He emerged as a key figure among the Brill Building songwriters of the late 1950s and early 1960s, collaborating with lyricists such as Howard Greenfield on songs that captured the youthful spirit of the pre-Beatles era. Early hits included “Oh! Carol,” “Calendar Girl,” “Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen,” “Little Devil” and “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do.”
As the British Invasion shifted the music landscape, Sedaka spent time in Europe and continued writing. In the early 1970s, he returned to the U.S. charts with a string of successful singles, including “Laughter in the Rain,” “Bad Blood,” and a more laid-back version of “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do.” His song “Love Will Keep Us Together” became a No. 1 hit for Captain & Tennille and earned a Grammy Award for Record of the Year, with Toni Tennille famously shouting “Sedaka’s back!” at the end of the track.
Later Life of Neil Sedaka
— Neil Sedaka (@neilsedaka) February 27, 2026
Beyond his own recordings, Sedaka wrote or co-wrote songs that were recorded by a wide range of artists over the years, contributing to the catalogs of performers from Connie Francis to Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra. His work earned him multiple Grammy nominations, and he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, with his music reaching millions of listeners around the world.
Sedaka is survived by his wife, Leba Strassberg, whom he married in 1962, and their two children. His crossover success, bridging the early days of rock ’n’ roll into the soft-rock charts of the 1970s and beyond, established him as one of pop music’s enduring figures. Plans for memorial services have not yet been announced.
