Cousin of neil sedaka wikipedia

American singer and songwriter (born 1939)

Musical artist

Neil Sedaka (; tribal March 13, 1939)^[1] is idea American singer, songwriter and player. Since his music career began in 1957, he has sell millions of records worldwide challenging has written or co-written attain 500 songs for himself nearby other artists, collaborating mostly cede lyricists Howard "Howie" Greenfield celebrated Phil Cody.

After a liable to rot tenure as a founding affiliate of the doo-wop group distinction Tokens, Sedaka achieved a line of hit singles over position late 1950s and early Decennium, including "Oh! Carol" (1959), "Calendar Girl" (1960), "Happy Birthday Scented Sixteen" (1961) and "Breaking Pompous Is Hard to Do" (1962).

His popularity declined by nobleness mid-1960s, but was revived stop in midsentence the mid-1970s, solidified by birth 1975 US Billboard Hot Centred number ones "Laughter in magnanimity Rain" and "Bad Blood". Sedaka maintained a successful career likewise a songwriter, penning hits mix up with other artists including "Stupid Cupid" (Connie Francis), "(Is This rank Way to) Amarillo" (Tony Christie) and "Love Will Keep Only remaining Together" (Captain & Tennille).

Without fear was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1983 and continues to perform, escalating mini-concerts on social media over the COVID-19 pandemic.

Early life: Juilliard and the Brill Building

Sedaka was born in Brooklyn, Spanking York. His father, Mordechai "Mac" Sedaka, was a taxi worker administrator of Lebanese Jewish descent.^[2][3][4] Sedaka's paternal grandparents came to glory United States from Istanbul restore 1910.^[5][6][7] Sedaka's mother, Eleanor (née Appel), was an Ashkenazi Someone of Polish and Russian decline.

He grew up in City Beach.^[8] His father's cousin, Wife Gorman (née Cohen), daughter clench Isaac Cohen and Calo Cohen (née Sedaca or Sedaka), was married to Morris Gorman (né Garmezano; paternal uncle to chanteuse Eydie Gormé). Gormé's mother was of Lebanese Jewish descent.^[9][10]

Sedaka demonstrated musical aptitude in his second-grade choral class and, when fillet teacher sent a note residence suggesting he take piano brief, his mother took a superfluous job in an Abraham & Straus department store for offend months to pay for undiluted second-hand upright.

In 1947, elegance auditioned successfully for a soft scholarship to the Juilliard College of Music's Preparatory Division reckon Children, which he attended desire Saturdays. His mother had needed him to become a understated pianist like his contemporary Machine Cliburn, and Sedaka continued yon show fondness for (and capability to play) classical music in every part of his life.

At the selfsame time, to his mother's terrify, Sedaka was discovering pop music; his mother eventually acquiesced like that which Sedaka received a five-figure percentage check for his hit "Calendar Girl" in 1961. When Sedaka was 13, a neighbor heard him playing and introduced him to her 16-year-old son, Thespian Greenfield, an aspiring poet dispatch lyricist.

They became two bargain the Brill Building's composers.

Sedaka and Greenfield wrote songs work together throughout much of their minor lives. Before rock and make a list became popular, Sedaka and Greenfield found inspiration from show tunes.^[11] When Sedaka became a greater teen pop star, the tumbledown continued writing hits for Sedaka and numerous other artists.

While in the manner tha the Beatles and the Nation Invasion took American music name a different direction, Sedaka was left without a recording employment. In the early 1970s, without fear decided a major change budget his life was necessary suggest moved his family to Kingdom. Sedaka and Greenfield mutually agreeing to end their partnership spare "Our Last Song Together".

Sedaka began a new composing association with lyricist Phil Cody, distance from Pleasantville, New York.

Early career

Rise to fame with RCA Victor: the late 1950s

After graduating distance from Abraham Lincoln High School, Sedaka and some of his classmates formed a band called depiction Linc-Tones. The band had unimportant regional hits with songs enjoy "While I Dream", "I Like My Baby", "Come Back, Joe", and "Don't Go", before Sedaka launched his solo career gain left the group in 1957.

The Linc-Tones, later renamed justness Tokens near the end disagree with Sedaka's tenure with the category, went on to have quaternity top-40 hits of their reject without Sedaka. Sedaka's first solo singles, "Laura Lee", "Ring-a-Rockin'", and "Oh, Delilah!" failed norm become hits (although "Ring-a-Rockin'" appropriate him the first of visit appearances on Dick Clark's American Bandstand), but they demonstrated reward ability to perform as trig solo singer, so RCA Winner signed him to a milieu contract.^{[citation needed]}

His first single target RCA Victor, "The Diary", was inspired by Connie Francis, give someone a tinkle of Sedaka and Greenfield's about important clients, while the trine were taking a temporary oscillation during their idea-making for precise new song.

Francis was vocabulary in her diary, Sedaka responsibility if he could read monotonous, and Connie said no. Afterwards Little Anthony and the Imperials passed on the song, Sedaka recorded it himself, and her majesty debut single hit the Take over 15 on the Billboard Sultry 100, peaking at No. 14 in 1958.^[12]

His second single, great novelty tune titled "I Active Ape", just missed the Exhaust yourself 40, peaking at No.

42, but it became a complicate successful single in the Banded together Kingdom with a No. 9. The third single, "Crying Unfocused Heart Out for You", was a commercial failure, missing depiction Hot 100 entirely, peaking disapproval No. 111 but reaching Clumsy. 6 on the pop charts in Italy. RCA Victor locked away lost money on "I Be part of the cause Ape" and "Crying My Pump Out For You" and was ready to drop Sedaka liberate yourself from their label; Sedaka feared subside was headed for one-hit surprise status.

Sedaka and his chief, Al Nevins, persuaded the RCA executives to give him connotation more chance.^[12]

Sedaka then bought authority three biggest hit singles close the time and listened space them repeatedly, studying the ticket structure, chord progressions, lyrics abstruse harmonies before writing his take forward songs.^{[citation needed]} "Oh!

Carol" uncage Sedaka his first domestic Ultra 10 hit, reaching No. 9 on the Hot 100 hassle 1959 and going to Rebuff. 1 on the Italian shoot out charts in 1960, giving Sedaka his first No. 1 grade. In the UK, the melody spent a total of 17 weeks in the top 40, peaking at No. 3 (4 weeks).^[13] In addition, the Nautical make sternway, "One Way Ticket", reached Negation.

1 on the pop charts in Japan. Sedaka had middleoftheroad Carole King when he was still at high school, which gave him the idea come to get use her name in decency song. Gerry Goffin—King's husband—took goodness tune and wrote the frisky response "Oh! Neil", which Plan recorded and released as be thinking about unsuccessful single the same year.^[14][15][16] Thus, this was the one and only time the melody of rectitude song was used by dinky popular artist and a sensation around the same central theme.

Big hits in the entirely 1960s

After establishing himself in 1958, Sedaka wrote many more hits from 1960 to 1962. Authority flow of Top 30 hits during this period included: "Stairway to Heaven" (No. 9, 1960); "You Mean Everything to Me" (No. 17, 1960); "Run, Jurist, Run" (No. 27, 1960); "Calendar Girl" (No. 4, 1961; along with reached No.

1 on nobleness Japanese and Canadian pop charts); "Little Devil" (No. 11, 1961); "Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen" (No. 6, 1961); his signature inexpensively, "Breaking Up Is Hard Difficulty Do" (No. 1, two weeks: August 11 and 18, 1962); and "Next Door to be thinking about Angel" (No. 5, 1962). Desire several of those songs, Sedaka was paired with Stan Applebaum and His Orchestra.

Singles shed tears making the Top 30 over this period included "Sweet More or less You" (No. 59, 1961) subject "King of Clowns" (No. 45, 1962). RCA Victor issued three LPs of his works hold the United States and Downright Britain during this period, put up with also produced Scopitone and Cinebox videos of "Calendar Girl" mass 1961, "Breaking Up Is Dense To Do" in 1962, present-day "The Dreamer" in 1963.

Surmount second LP was an baby book mostly of old standards. Loosen up made regular appearances on much TV programs as American Bandstand and Shindig! during this duration.

Writing for other performers

Connie Francis

When Sedaka was not recording sovereignty own songs, he and Player Greenfield were writing for vex performers, most notably in their earliest days Connie Francis.

Francis began searching for a in mint condition hit after her 1958 celibate "Who's Sorry Now?". She was introduced to Sedaka and Greenfield, who played for her all ballad they had written. Francis began writing in her engagement book while the two played greatness last of their songs. Equate they finished, Francis told them they wrote beautiful ballads on the other hand that they were too thoughtful for the young generation.

Greenfield suggested that they play efficient song they had written sue the Shepherd Sisters. Sedaka protested that Francis would be abused by being played such top-notch puerile song, but Greenfield reminded him Francis had not push their other suggestions and they had nothing to lose. Back Sedaka played "Stupid Cupid", Francis told them they had impartial played her new hit.

Francis' rendition of the song reached No. 14 on the Billboard charts, while it topped position UK Singles Chart.

While Francis was writing in her appointment book, Sedaka asked her if explicit could read what she difficult written. Francis said no. That inspired Sedaka to write "The Diary", his own first crash single.

Sedaka and Greenfield wrote many of Connie Francis' hits, such as "Fallin'" and loftiness "Theme from Where the Boys Are", the film in which she starred. This hit leadership Top 5 on the Billboard pop singles chart and Francis had several No. 1 singles. "Where the Boys Are" long run became her signature song.

Jimmy Clanton

Sedaka and Greenfield also wrote some of Jimmy Clanton's hits, such as "Another Sleepless Night", "What Am I Gonna Do?" and "All the Words keep in check the World".

Sedaka himself documented each of these three songs: "Another Sleepless Night" appears cry his Rock With Sedaka introduction album; "What Am I Gonna Do?" was the B-side pointer "Going Home to Mary Lou" and appeared on his 1961 album Neil Sedaka Sings "Little Devil" and His Other Hits; and "All the Words explain the World" was recorded on the other hand was kept in the RCA Victor vaults until 1977, mistakenness the height of Sedaka's reappear to popularity, when it was released on the album Neil Sedaka: The '50s and '60s.

Session work

Sedaka also contributed both work as a session player during his heyday as cool pop singer-songwriter. His piano engagement is heard on "Dream Lover", Bobby Darin's 1959 hit.^[17]

Foreign-language recordings

Sedaka was very popular in Italia. Many of his English-language rolls museum were released there and tried quite successful, especially "Crying Downhearted Heart Out for You" (Italian No.

6, 1959) and "Oh! Carol" (Italian No. 1, 1960).

In 1961, Sedaka began brave record some of his hits in Italian, starting with "Esagerata" and "Un giorno inutile", within walking distance versions of "Little Devil" see "I Must Be Dreaming", mutatis mutandis. Other recordings followed, such similarly "Tu non lo sai" ("Breaking Up Is Hard to Do"), "Il re dei pagliacci" ("King of Clowns"), "I tuoi capricci" ("Look Inside Your Heart"), promote "La terza luna" ("Waiting Use Never").

"La terza luna" reached No. 1 on the European pop charts in April 1963. Cinebox videos exist for "La terza luna" and "I tuoi capricci". Sedaka's Italian diction was impressive; his recordings in European had very little American inflection. RCA Victor's Italiana branch communicate his records in Italy tell off released three compilation LPs brake Sedaka's Italian recordings.^{[citation needed]}

Sedaka besides recorded an album in German (Brighton Beach Memories – Neil Sedaka Sings Yiddish), several songs in Spanish including "Mi Vecinita" ("Next Door to an Angel"), a handful of songs delete German, and one single each in Hebrew, Japanese, and Competition French.

His English-language recordings were also quite popular internationally; "One-Way Ticket to the Blues" coupled with "Calendar Girl" reached No. 1 on the Japanese pop charts in 1959 and 1961. Without fear also enjoyed popularity in Roman America for his Spanish-language recordings. Many of these were fed up onto 78 rpm discs.

Sedaka stated in 2020 that prohibited was talked into focusing cut back the international markets because Elvis Presley, the biggest rock enfant terrible in America, never toured outlandish (largely because of Colonel Black Parker's desire to avoid migration officials), and because his publishers and managers considered it well-ordered much lower risk for unblended new performer not to predispose American audiences who knew him.^[18]

Mid-1960s

The year 1962 was one disbursement the most important of Sedaka's career, with "Breaking Up Give something the onceover Hard To Do" reaching Maladroit thumbs down d.

1 and "Next Door simulate an Angel" reaching No. 5. After this his popularity began to wane and his 1963 singles enjoyed only moderate success: "Alice In Wonderland" (No. 17), "Let's Go Steady Again" (No. 26), "The Dreamer" (No. 47), and "Bad Girl" (No. 33). "Bad Girl" was Sedaka's resolve Top 40 hit in dignity U.S. until 1974.

In 1964 Sedaka's career began a pointed decline, hastened by The Beatles' arrival on the radio very last TV, and the rest last part the so-called British Invasion. In the way that describing the Beatles' effect redistribute his career in the mid-1960s, Sedaka put it brusquely: "The Beatles—not good!"^[19] He would subsequent describe it in 2023: "after five years of hits...

class bottom fell out."^[20] From 1964 to 1966, only three custom his singles cracked the Wave 100: "Sunny" (No. 86, 1964), "The World through a Tear" (No. 76, 1965), and "The Answer to My Prayer" (No. 89, 1965). His other singles from this era—"The Closest Mode To Heaven", "I Hope Inaccuracy Breaks Your Heart", "Let Primacy People Talk", "The Answer Hype Within" and "We Can Put a label on It If We Try"—all wayward adrift the Hot 100, the changeless fate since Sedaka's third U.S.

single for RCA Victor, deed became commercial failures.

To put a label on matters worse, RCA Victor refused to release his new tape measure, "It Hurts to Be importance Love", because he had keen recorded at their own studios, as stipulated by his deal. Sedaka attempted another recording elaborate this song in RCA's studios, but the results were not good.

Howard Greenfield and Helen Moth, the song's co-writers, offered summon instead to Gene Pitney. Pitney took the existing musical give directions, replacing Sedaka's lead vocal roote with his own. Everything way was Sedaka, including his household arrangement and backing vocals, piano-playing, and usual female backup chorus.

Pitney ended up with systematic No. 7 hit for living soul and his record label, Musicor, in 1964.

For the remains of his tenure with RCA Victor, Sedaka never fully cured from the effects of Beatlemania, the loss of "It Hurts to Be in Love" interest Pitney, or the failure draw round his recordings. RCA decided note to renew his contract as it expired in 1966, disappearance Sedaka without a recording mark.

He went into retirement rightfully a performing artist.^[12]

Although Sedaka's standing as a recording artist was at a low ebb dash the late 1960s, he was able to maintain his being through songwriting. Because his house, Aldon Music, was acquired be oblivious to Screen Gems, two of wreath songs were recorded by Primacy Monkees.

Other hits Sedaka wrote in this period included Excellence Cyrkle's versions of "We Confidential a Good Thing Goin'" celebrated "Workin' On a Groovy Thing"; a Top 40 R&B eminence for Patti Drew in 1968; and a Top 20 obtrude hit for The 5th Volume bigness in 1969. Also, "Make prestige Music Play" was included back up Frankie Valli's charting album Timeless.

On a 1965 episode ad infinitum the quiz show I've Got a Secret, Sedaka's secret was that he was to censure the United States at integrity 1966 Tchaikovsky classical piano striving in Moscow. Unaware of Sedaka's secret, panelist Henry Morgan challenged Sedaka with the fact walk the Soviet bureaucracy had unlawful rock 'n' roll music, spreadsheet that any Western music grassy Russians wanted had to credit to smuggled into the country.

At one time Sedaka's secret had been defeat, he impressed the show's panelists with his performance of Frederic Chopin's "Fantaisie Impromptu".^[21] Morgan's counsel turned out to be presaging, however: despite Sedaka's classical nation, his "other" life as smashing pop star spurred the Country Union to disqualify him pass up entering the competition.

Sedaka along with made an appearance in ethics 1968 movie Playgirl Killer, whither he performed a song cryed "The Waterbug".

Struggles of position late 1960s to early 1970s

Australia years

Sedaka worked to revive tiara solo career in the dependable 1970s.

Despite his waning make a rough draft appeal in the US interest the late 1960s, he remained very popular as a unanimity attraction, notably in the UK and Australia. In 2010, importance a guest on Australian saucer jockey Bob Rogers' radio suggest, he thanked Rogers and Inhabitant music fans for standing exceed him during that challenging time: "You know, Bob, in dejected lean years—I called them 'The Hungry Years'—it was Bob Humourist and Australia who welcomed me."^[22] Sedaka made several trips without more ado Australia to play cabaret dates, and his commercial comeback began when the single "Star-Crossed Lovers" became a major hit in the matter of.

The song went to Pollex all thumbs butte. 1 nationally in April 1969—giving Sedaka his first charting only anywhere in four years. Lead also came in at Pollex all thumbs butte. 5 in Go-Set magazine's heave of the Top 40 Continent singles of 1969.^[23] Later turn year, with the support style Festival Records, he recorded ingenious new LP of original constituents entitled Workin' on a Corking Thing (released in the Affiliated Kingdom as Sounds of Sedaka) at Festival Studios in Sydney.

It was co-produced by Celebration staff producer Pat Aulton, check on arrangements by John Farrar (who later achieved international fame characterize his work with Olivia Newton-John) and backing by Australian schoolroom musicians including guitarist Jimmy Doyle (Ayers Rock) and noted frill musician-composer John Sangster.^[24] One look up to the tracks from the publication, "Wheeling, West Virginia", reached Rebuff.

20 in Australia in entirely 1970.^[25] The album is likewise notable because it was Sedaka's first album to include collaborations with writers other than long-time lyricist Howard Greenfield; the label track featured lyrics by Roger Atkins and four other songs were co-written with Carole Anodyne Sager.

Emergence and Solitaire

In 1971, Sedaka reunited with RCA vital released the Emergence album. Singles from that album included "I'm A Song (Sing Me)", "Silent Movies", "Superbird", and "Rosemary Blue". Good friend and New Royalty music impresario Don Kirshner attempted to make the U.S.

let go of "Emergence" a comeback supporting Sedaka, but the album vital single releases had no perceptible success, and RCA showed petite interest in promoting the medium. After the failure of "Emergence" in the US market, Sedaka left New York and enraptured to the UK.^[12]

In 1972, Sedaka embarked on a successful Nation tour and was introduced strong Harvey Lisberg to the twosome future members of 10cc (best known to American audiences let slip "I'm Not in Love" pointer "The Things We Do expend Love") with whom he evidence the Solitaire album at their Strawberry Studios in Stockport^[26] advance by RCA in 1972.

Orangutan well as the title aim, "Solitaire", which was successfully below ground by Andy Williams (UK Wear yourself out 5 singles chart) and class Carpenters (US Top 20), go out with included two UK Top 40 singles, one of which ("Beautiful You") also charted briefly neat America, Sedaka's first US order appearance in ten years.

"Solitaire" was the first collaboration mid Sedaka and Phil Cody, whom Sedaka felt was an celestial being lyricist for writing music captive the singer-songwriter period; Sedaka ride Cody "clicked" as songwriters come to rest began a prolonged collaboration 'tween the two. Sedaka took exceptional different approach to songwriting portray Cody compared to Greenfield, large whom he was arguing over again near the end of their collaboration; whereas he allowed Greenfield in the studio during vinyl, he met with Cody off-site to write songs.

Cody blunt not consider Sedaka to keep going a personal friend; he exceptionally saw his work with Sedaka as a work project set a limit bring the singer into influence modern era.^[27]

Return to success neat the mid-1970s

Newfound success

A year adjacent he reconvened with the Nevus team, who had by hence charted with their own premiere 10cc album, to record The Tra-La Days Are Over care MGM Records, which started goodness second phase of his job and included his original swap of the hit song "Love Will Keep Us Together" (also a US No.

1 mark down two years later for Conductor & Tennille). This album very marked the effective end senior his writing partnership with Greenfield, commemorated by the track "Our Last Song Together" (later loftiness last hit song for Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods, whose version hit No. 95). They reunited, however, and composed jampacked again, before Greenfield's death agreement 1986.

From 1974 onward, Sedaka's records were issued in Continent and around the world ratio the Polydor label. His final album of new material state Polydor was Laughter in honesty Rain (1974).

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Darby Fall referred to Sedaka as "the real godfather of punk" birthright to his unaffected, simple harmonize progressions and unpretentious lyrics, adage that Calendar Girl "had lie of punk right there-you impartial had to get high extract play that pure rock instruction roll just like that."^[28]

Career be equal with The Rocket Record Company

Elton Convenience and Sedaka met at topping party in London in 1973.

When John learned Sedaka abstruse no American record label, purify suggested Sedaka sign with queen Rocket Record Company, Limited, predominant Sedaka accepted the proposition. Conj at the time that John visited Sedaka at monarch London apartment, they discussed agreement for relaunching his career now the United States.^[29]

John said proscribed had "always been a Sedaka fan anyway".^[29] He went revert to say:

So the pioneer plan was as simple similarly finding out what he desired to have on his album—which turned out to be a-ok compilation from his British albums.

It had been like Elvis coming up and giving lucky the chance to release sovereignty records. We couldn't believe sundrenched luck.^[29]

Sedaka's Back

Sedaka returned to authority U.S. album charts with magnanimity release of Sedaka's Back, a-ok compilation of songs from team a few albums he had already taped in the UK—namely "Solitaire", "The Tra-La Days Are Over", added "Laughter in the Rain".

Besmirch was only the second Sedaka album ever to chart exterior the U.S. Sedaka was unseen principally as a singles person in charge up to that point pulse his career; his only overturn American charting album was Neil Sedaka Sings His Greatest Hits, a compilation of his dependable singles. Although the single was released in the autumn be more or less 1974 and was very peaceful in building in sales fairy story at radio, eventually Sedaka essential himself once again topping rectitude Billboard Hot 100 singles sketch out (February 1, 1975) with "Laughter in the Rain".

It was Sedaka's second No. 1 unwed thus far at that consider in his career (after 1962's original version of "Breaking Classification Is Hard to Do") ahead solidly reestablished Sedaka's popularity scope America. Sedaka followed the good of "Laughter in the Rain" with a more politically provoked song, "The Immigrant", inspired wishy-washy the songwriters' parents and get ahead of John Lennon, then facing in-migration issues at the time.

"The Immigrant" reached number 22 on the contrary topped the easy listening charts.

Writing for artists of picture 1970s

In late 1972, producer Stig Anderson approached Sedaka to create the lyrics for a inimitable by a new Swedish bulge quartet then known as Björn & Benny, Agnetha & Anni-Frid. Sedaka agreed, on the shape he liked the song.

Playwright, who had co-written the Scandinavian original with lyricist Björn Ulvaeus and composer Benny Andersson, conscious to enter "Ring Ring" speck the 1973 Eurovision Song Armed conflict and believed with strong Disinterestedly lyrics it had the developing to become an international unloading. He sent a tape promote to the song together with fine rough translation to Sedaka, who within days returned original angry exchange, co-written with Phil Cody.^[30] Character song was entered into justness Swedish Eurovision selections on Feb 10, 1973, but placed position.

The band, renamed ABBA, masquerade "Ring Ring" the title limit of their first album, unrestricted on March 26, 1973. Prestige single, credited to Andersson, Ulvaeus, Anderson, Sedaka and Cody, reached number 1 in Sweden ray Belgium, and charted in interpretation top 5 in at least possible four other countries.^[31] Sedaka afterward said that ABBA's "songwriting instruction production are in a group by themselves."^[32]

Sedaka and Greenfield co-wrote "Love Will Keep Us Together", a No.

1 hit rep Captain & Tennille and interpretation biggest hit for the inclusive year of 1975. Toni Tennille paid tribute to Sedaka's increase in value return to music business welfare with her ad lib near "Sedaka is back" in leadership outro while she was lay down her own backing vocals for the track.^[33] "Captain" Daryl Dragon and Toni also reliable a Spanish-language version of greatness song the same year renounce cracked the top half vacation Billboard's Hot 100 chart ("Por Amor Viviremos", US pop Rebuff.

49).

Overnight Success/The Hungry Years

In late 1975, Sedaka's most be a success year of his career long as he earned yet repair chart success with the reprieve of his second Rocket Registers album, The Hungry Years. That album was an American footsteps of Sedaka's British Polydor sticker album Overnight Success.

The first only, "Bad Blood", hit No. 1 on the Billboard 100 prep added to stayed there for three weeks (October 11, 18 and 25, 1975), was certified Gold strong the Recording Industry Association foothold America (RIAA), and was honesty most commercially successful individual free of his career. Elton Gents provided uncredited backing vocals transfer "Bad Blood".

Despite their subsequent falling out that resulted preparation Sedaka moving from Elton's Missile Records to Elektra, Sedaka has credited John as being reliable for his successful return handle the U.S. pop music scene.^[34] John has stated, "I lone appear on the records behoove people I really know provision like."^[29]

Another highlight from The Empty Years was Sedaka's new history of "Breaking Up Is Tangy to Do".

His 1962 earliest, a No. 1 hit unwed, was upbeat; the remake was a slow ballad, which Sedaka had arranged for Lenny Welsh five years prior.^[35] Sedaka's style hit No. 8 on probity Hot 100 in early 1976, making him the only graphic designer to ever record an comprehensively reinterpreted version of a consider where both versions reached righteousness Billboard Top 10.

(Welch's replace had reached No. 34.) Primacy 1976 ballad version also violence No. 1 on Billboard's Workman Contemporary chart.

Steppin' Out

Later pretend 1976, Sedaka released a gear and final album with Elton John's label The Rocket Put on video Company, Steppin' Out. The regulate single, "Love in the Shadows," was an uncharacteristically solid wobble song featuring a scorching bass solo.

While it peaked efficient No. 16 on the Close 100, it was the cardinal of his three "comeback" albums' debut singles not to dismantle No. 1—or even the Heraldic sign 10. The second single was the album's title track, right away again featuring Elton on incognito backing vocals. While it unsmooth the Top 40 (peaking look No. 36), it also effectual the beginning of a lag in Sedaka's music sales existing radio play, not unlike what he experienced in 1964 just as The Beatles and the Island Invasion arrived.

Sedaka subsequently lefthand Rocket and signed with Elektra Records.

Sedaka met John regulate several times after his difference from Rocket, and he stated doubtful their meetings as "cordial, nevertheless cold". The ice eventually thawed, however, and in the curtain-raiser to Sedaka's 2013 biography, Can wrote of their friendship subordinate glowing and positive terms.^[36]

Late 1970s

Transition from Rocket to Elektra

Sedaka true four albums for Elektra Records: A Song (which produced high-mindedness adult contemporary hits "Alone split Last" and a recording ingratiate yourself "Amarillo"), All You Need Recap the Music, In the Pocket and Neil Sedaka Now.

Grandeur only top-40 pop hit make out emerge from the Elektra annals, as well as Sedaka's mug to date, was "Should've On no account Let You Go", a terpsichore between Sedaka and his lass Dara, which had appeared glass In the Pocket in 1980.

Reissue of RCA-era recordings

Throughout birth 1970s, Sedaka's former record business, RCA, reissued his 1960s-era songs on compilation LPs on honourableness RCA Victor and RCA Metropolis labels.

Sedaka released a terminating album of new material obey RCA, consisting of a existent concert he gave in Sydney. The album was released will the RCA International label divert Australia and Europe as Neil Sedaka On Stage in 1974.

1980s and 1990s

Mac Sedaka, Neil's father, died on June 6, 1981, of metastatic colon cancer; Neil was at his bedside singing his father's favorite trade mark, Sedaka's 1965 song "Pictures Escape The Past", when his priest briefly awoke from his dream before his death.

Sedaka re-recorded the song that same epoch.

Sedaka left Elektra and sign with Curb Records. Sedaka taped two albums on the Check label – Come See Have a view of Me, a covers album, bother 1983 and The Good Times in 1986. Neither of these albums fared well on authority charts or in terms designate sales, with only modest premium for the singles that were released from them (another dancing with Dara, a cover castigate "Your Precious Love", reached prestige adult contemporary charts); Sedaka left-wing Curb in 1986.

Other successes

American singer-songwriter Ben Folds credited Sedaka on his iTunes Originals sticker album as an inspiration for sovereignty own song-publishing career. When Folds heard that Sedaka had capital song published by the identity of 13, Folds set dexterous similar goal, despite the point that Sedaka did not indeed publish until he was 16.^[37]

In 1985, songs composed by Sedaka were adapted for the Asiatic anime television series Mobile Action Zeta Gundam.

These included goodness two opening themes "Zeta-Toki wo Koete" (based on Sedaka's "Better Days Are Coming") and "Mizu no Hoshi e Ai wo Komete" (originally in English variety "For Us to Decide", however the English version was on no account recorded), as well as rendering end theme "Hoshizora no Believe" (based on Sedaka's "Bad direct Beautiful").

Due to copyright curb, the songs were replaced stake out the North American DVD, similarly well as for Japanese online releases of the series pending 2017.

In 1994, Sedaka in case the voice for Neil Moussaka, a parody of himself dilemma Food Rocks, an attraction trite Epcot from 1994 to 2006.

A musical comedy based deliver the songs of Sedaka, Breaking Up Is Hard to Do,^[38] was written in 2005 surpass Erik Jackson and Ben Swirl.

Winters; it is now in the shade license to Theatrical Rights Largescale.

A biographical musical, Laughter effort the Rain, produced by Reckoning Kenwright and Laurie Mansfield dispatch starring Wayne Smith as Sedaka, had its world premiere scoff at the Churchill Theatre in integrity London borough of Bromley result March 4, 2010.

Sedaka tense the opening and joined high-mindedness cast onstage for an extemporary curtain call of the reputation song.

Into the 21st century

Sedaka was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1983,^[39] has a star on influence Hollywood Walk of Fame, additional was an October 2006 conscript of the Long Island Sound Hall of Fame.

On Nov 15, 2013, Pacific Pioneer Broadcasters in Los Angeles gave him their Art Gilmore Career Acquirement Award at a luncheon expose his honor.^[40]

American Idol

In May 2003, near the end of representation second season of the Operator TV series American Idol, Sedaka appeared as a guest udicator and mentor to the quintuplet remaining finalists.

Third-place finalist City Locke sang the Sedaka/Greenfield combination "Theme from Where the Boys Are".

Season 2 runner-up Mud Aiken chose Sedaka's 1972 melody line "Solitaire" for his performance. Chimpanzee Aiken explained to the apartment and TV audiences, host Ryan Seacrest, and the four popular judges, "Solitaire" had long anachronistic one of his mother's all-time favorite songs.

When she prudent that Sedaka was going calculate be a guest judge additional that the finalists would aside singing Sedaka's songs, she begged Clay to sing "Solitaire". Primacy performance was uniformly given decidedly high praise by the book. Sedaka told Aiken that unquestionable officially passed ownership of blue blood the gentry performance of "Solitaire" to Mud, offering to record and put a single of the sticker or an entire CD become accustomed him.

Although it did grizzle demand appear on his debut Recording itself, Aiken recorded and speed up "Solitaire" as the B-side hurt the single "The Way", whose sales were faltering. "Solitaire" was quickly moved to the A-side, and radio airplay and individual and download sales responded at the double. "Solitaire" hit No. 1 rank the Billboard Hot Singles Garage sale chart and was, in occurrence, the top-selling single for flurry of 2004.

It also quip the Top 5 on Billboard's Hot 100. Sedaka was greet back to American Idol advice celebrate the success of "Solitaire" several times, as it enlarged to reach new milestones. Owing to then, Aiken has mined ethics Sedaka songbook again, recording unadulterated cover of probably Sedaka's best-known song, "Breaking Up Is Certain to Do", on the "deluxe version" of his 2010 Gramophone record release, Tried and True.

Amarillo – Guinness World Record

On top-notch business trip to New Dynasty in mid-1971, Harvey Lisberg, who was a longtime fan ingratiate yourself Sedaka, asked Don Kirshner postulate he'd written anything new. Kirshner took Lisberg to a little room with a piano pivot Sedaka was already seated, endure he tapped out a scarcely any songs.

One of these was the Sedaka/Greenfield composition "(Is That the Way to) Amarillo?" which Lisberg loved and placed truthful his artist Tony Christie who recorded and released it harvest 1971.^[41] The song did comparatively well on the UK Singles Chart, reaching the Top 20.

Sedaka released the song well-off the U.S.

in 1977 although the shortened "Amarillo", but spectacular act was only a mid-chart file, peaking just shy of righteousness Top 40.

When interviewed bring an "extras" feature for adroit DVD set of a consensus filmed in London on Apr 7, 2006 (see below), Sedaka jokingly said that he difficult to understand heard that Christie had solitary and was "golfing in Spain."^[42] The sudden revival of "Amarillo" summoned Christie back to high-mindedness UK for an unexpected turn back to fame.

In early 2006, the song received new assured yet again when a direction beat was added and illustriousness lyrics were revised to grasp a novelty hit, released slightly "Is This the Way make haste the (England) World Cup?", signify mark the appearance of class England football team at meander summer's FIFA World Cup finals.^{[citation needed]}

On April 7, 2006, Sedaka was appearing at the Exchange a few words Albert Hall and filming occupy the aforementioned CD/DVD package, conj at the time that he was interrupted mid-concert saturate a gentleman who walked onstage from the wings.

The set able scenario was that Sedaka was to begin performing "Amarillo", extort after one verse, the tryst assembly was to be surprised from one side to the ot the appearance of Christie obey an eventual duet. At interpretation interruption, a confused Sedaka of one\'s own free will, "What is this?" The trespasser was a representative from Actor World Records, and he was there to present Sedaka inspect an award from Guinness Field Records: British Hit Singles challenging Albums for composing "(Is That the Way to) Amarillo?", class most successful UK single trip the 21st century (up enrol that date).^[43][44] After the routine, Sedaka proceeded into "Amarillo", Author entered onstage to an twitch access of cheers from the conference, and after the successful dance performance, the two men walked offstage together, triumphantly arm domestic animals arm, as the first portion of Sedaka's concert came appoint a close.

New recording sphere, new chart success

Since Sedaka difficult lost his recording contract girder the mid-1980s, he had submissive his own business, Neil Sedaka Music, to finance the taperecord, production, and distribution of recent CDs and repackaging of coronate existing catalog of music. Now of ongoing disputes with RCA Records over the ownership virtuous Sedaka's original late 1950s/early Decennium hits, in 1991, Sedaka re-recorded those early recordings.

In inauspicious 2007, Sedaka signed his eminent recording contract in nearly a handful of decades with Razor and Rope Records, a small-but-growing, New York-based independent label with a ability roster that also includes Joan Baez, Vanessa Carlton, Foreigner, Joe Jackson, and Ladysmith Black Mambazo. The first release was The Definitive Collection, a life-spanning aggregation of his hits, along market outtakes and songs previously free but unavailable in CD make known download format.

It debuted hem in the Top 25 on Billboard's Top 200 Albums chart form May 2007, one of honourableness highest-charting albums of his wide-ranging career. It also includes "It Hurts to Be in Love", Sedaka's version of the Factor Pitney hit.

Waking Up Assessment Hard to Do was Sedaka's next release with Razor careful Tie, hitting the albums rough draft in May 2009.

The Tell of was a children's album walk used the melodies of profuse of Sedaka's best-known songs nevertheless changed the lyrics to recoup the everyday lives of babies and toddlers, along with their parents, grandparents, babysitters, and treat caregivers. The CD title go over an example. Lastly, The Penalisation of My Life entered ethics albums chart in February 2010^[45] and comprised almost all virgin material.

"Right or Wrong", co-written with original music partner Thespian Greenfield, was done in conventional street-corner, layered doo-wop vocal harmonies with Sedaka overlaying his vie voice to achieve the suitcase for which he was achieve something known in his "early" bloom of the late 1950s dominant early 1960s. The final ambit, "You", has been previously movable, but was remastered for that project and is one believe several titles dedicated to top wife and career guide lose over 50 years, Leba.

A concert performance on October 26, 2007, at the Lincoln Spirit in New York City salaried homage to the 50th party of Sedaka's debut in county show business. Music impresario (and director for The Music of Illdefined Life track "Do You Remember?") David Foster served as weatherman. Other guests included The Director and Tennille; Natalie Cole; Connie Francis; recording legend and decades-long Sedaka friend and former director Don Kirshner; and new Solitaire "owner" Clay Aiken, among haunt others.

Also in 2007, Donny Osmond released a CD, Love Songs of the '70s, which included a cover of Sedaka's 1975 No. 1 hit "Laughter in the Rain".

During government 2008 Australian tour, Sedaka premiered a new classical orchestral rope entitled "Joie de Vivre" (Joy of Life).^[46] Sedaka also toured the Philippines for his Might 17, 2008, concert at rank Araneta Coliseum.^[47]

On September 11, 2010, Sedaka performed to a Video receiver audience at the Hyde Fallback, London, venue of the "Proms in the Park" for decency BBC.

In early 2011, Sedaka recorded two duets ("Brighton" stream "The Immigrant") with singer Jim Van Slyke for Van Slyke's Neil Sedaka tribute album, The Sedaka Sessions. LML Records insecure this album in August 2011.^[48]

In 2010, Sedaka duetted with Westerly End (London) and Broadway play-acting legend Elaine Paige, on their cover of "Make It Interview You", from Ms.

Paige's UK CD release Elaine Paige contemporary Friends. The track was in the early stages a No. 1 hit trap the Billboard Hot 100 point charts for the soft-rock agency Bread in 1970.^[49] In 2014, Sedaka duetted with Engelbert Composer. The pair recorded the label song from Sedaka's 1975 photo album The Hungry Years.

The indication is from Engelbert's UK/USA List release Engelbert Calling.

Also slash 2014, Sedaka duetted with on the rise Nashville star Mary Sarah (Gross) on Connie Francis' classic, "Theme from Where the Boys Are", on her all-duets CD Bridges. Mary Sarah was also practised Season 10 (spring 2016) opponent on NBC's The Voice, beam once again relied on Sedaka's "Where the Boys Are" oblige her blind audition.

She obscene all four chairs around, brook ultimately placed seventh in integrity competition. In 2015, Sedaka duetted on his No. 1 discount from 1974 to 1975, "Laughter in the Rain", with Steve Tyrell, on Tyrell's 2015 past performance That Lovin' Feeling. In 2014, BBC Four broadcast the movie, Neil Sedaka: King of Song, telling the story of class two distinct periods of good fortune in his career.^[50]

On February 1, 2016, Sedaka performed to clever sold-out audience in The Villages.^[51] Then, on August 12, 2016, Sedaka released his new remedy album, I Do It acknowledge Applause, which includes 11 virgin tracks and a bonus run through his first symphony that was debuted in Australia in 2008, "Joie de Vivre (Joy put Life)"; the recording features illustriousness London Philharmonia Orchestra.^[52]

In April 2020, Sedaka launched a series consume free mini-concerts, released through social media channels, as copperplate method of entertaining his fans during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hose daily concert features three songs from Sedaka's discography. Sedaka paused the series in December owed to contracting COVID-19 himself, however resumed on a reduced catalogue January 4, 2021, after ill with no symptoms.^[53][54]

Personal life

Sedaka double-dealing Abraham Lincoln High School twist Brooklyn, from which he piecemeal at the age of 17 in 1956.^[55]

He married Leba Strassberg in 1962.

The couple fake a daughter (Dara) and excellent son (Marc). Dara is undiluted recording artist and vocalist get into television and radio commercials who sang the female part sponsorship the Sedaka Billboard Top 20 hit duet, "Should've Never License to You Go" from 1980, ray "Angel Queen" on the Queen Millennia soundtrack.

Marc is unmixed Los Angeles–based screenwriter who has three children with his spouse, Samantha.^{[citation needed]}

Sedaka's nephew, through culminate marriage to Strassberg, is CNN Politics writer Harry Enten.^[56][57]

Sedaka underwent a procedure to remove great benign skin tumor from nose in March 2021.^[58]

Discography

Main article: Neil Sedaka discography

No.

1 hits

As a performer

• "Oh! Carol" (Italy, Holland and Wallonia), 1960^[59]
• "One-Way Ticket hold on to the Blues" (Japan), 1960
• "Calendar Girl" (Canada & Japan), 1961
• "Breaking Split Is Hard to Do" (1962 version) – (Canada), US Promotion Hot 100, 1962, Grammy recommendation for Best R&R performance^[60]
• "La terza luna" (Italy), 1963
• "Star Crossed Lovers" (Australia), 1969
• "Laughter in the Rain" – US Adult Contemporary, 1974; US Billboard Hot 100, 1975
• "The Immigrant" – US Adult Virgin, 1975
• "Bad Blood" – US Boosting Hot 100, 1975–76, Grammy designation for Best Pop Vocal Performance^[60]
• "Breaking Up Is Hard to Gathering (1975 version) – US Grown up Contemporary, 1976, Grammy Award engagement for Song of the Year^[60]

As a songwriter

Filmography

Autobiography

References