Neil Sedaka, whose hits include ‘Breaking Up Is Hard to Do’ and ‘Laughter in the Rain,’ died on Friday at age 86. His family released a statement expressing their devastation over his sudden passing.

Legacy of a Songwriting Giant

Sedaka was a key figure in the Brill Building songwriting scene of the 1950s and 1960s, producing hits that captured the teen spirit of the pre-Beatles era. Songs like ‘Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen,’ ‘Calendar Girl,’ and ‘Oh! Carol’ were among his early successes.

Despite a period of obscurity in the mid-1960s, Sedaka made a triumphant return in the 1970s with hits such as ‘Laughter in the Rain’ and ‘Bad Blood.’ His work was also covered by artists like The Captain & Tennille, whose version of ‘Love Will Keep Us Together’ became a chart-topper in 1975.

A Voice That Endured

Sedaka was known for his high-pitched voice and stage presence, often performing well into his 80s. He remained active on the concert circuit, playing dozens of shows a year and maintaining the vocal range of his youth.

‘Past 70, Pavarotti told me the vocal cords are not what they used to be. I’m very fortunate that my voice has held,’ Sedaka told The Associated Press in 2012. ‘It’s nice to be a legend, but it’s better to be a working legend.’

Sedaka’s music was performed by a wide array of artists, including Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, and Nickelback. He also played a key role in launching the career of Connie Francis with songs like ‘Stupid Cupid’ and ‘Where the Boys Are.’

From Brooklyn to Stardom

Born in Brooklyn to a Jewish family, Sedaka grew up in a modest household with 11 relatives. His talent was recognized early by a second-grade teacher, who encouraged his mother to buy him a piano. His mother worked in a department store to afford a secondhand upright piano, which helped launch his music career.

Sedaka was chosen by Arthur Rubinstein as the city’s best high school piano student and performed on a classical radio station. He discovered rock ‘n’ roll around the same time and began writing songs with his classmate Howard Greenfield, with whom he would have a long and fruitful partnership.

‘Once a performer, always a performer. It’s that adrenaline rush. It’s like a natural high when you’re in front of an audience, and if you get that standing ovation, it’s infectious,’ Sedaka told the AP.

Sedaka signed with RCA Victor Records in 1958 and had 10 Top 10 records from 1959 to 1962. However, the rise of the British Invasion in the mid-1960s led to a 13-year period he described as ‘in the wilderness.’

His career took off again in the mid-1970s with the support of Elton John, who signed him to his Rocket Records label. Sedaka’s album ‘Sedaka’s Back’ featured hits like ‘Bad Blood’ and ‘Laughter in the Rain,’ and his re-recording of ‘Breaking Up Is Hard to Do’ as a ballad reached No. 1 in 1975.

Sedaka was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame but was never inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, despite fan efforts.

Sedaka married Leba in 1962, and they had two children. Daughter Dara recorded a duet with him in 1980, but she did not pursue a career in music. Son Marc is a film and television writer.

The family said in a statement, ‘Our family is devastated by the sudden passing of our beloved husband, father and grandfather, Neil Sedaka. A true rock and 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.’