Neil Sedaka, the legendary singer-songwriter known for hits such as “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do,” “Calendar Girl,” “Laughter in the Rain,” and “Bad Blood,” has died at the age of 86, his representative confirmed.
His family said they were devastated by his sudden passing, remembering him as a rock and roll icon and a beloved husband, father, and grandfather.
Sedaka was rushed to a Los Angeles hospital after feeling unwell and was transported by ambulance for medical care.
Born in Brooklyn in 1939, Sedaka built a six-decade career as a pop music pioneer, rising to fame in the late 1950s and early 1960s with piano-driven hits. He frequently collaborated with lyricist Howard Greenfield and later experienced a career resurgence in the 1970s with support from artists including Elton John.
Throughout his career, Sedaka received five Grammy nominations, was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1983, and earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1978. He also appeared on several television shows and continued touring and performing for many years.