NEIL SEDAKA
Singer. Songwriter. Composer. Pianist. Author. These are just a few of the titles that can describe Sedaka. Classically trained at Juilliard, his impressive eight-decade career ranges from being one of the first teen pop sensations of the 50s, a tunesmith for himself and other artists in the 60s, a superstar in the 70s, and remaining a constant force in writing and performing presently. This is all thanks to the countless songs he has written, performed, and produced that continue to inspire artists and audiences around the world. Introduced to Howard Greenfield by Greenfield’s mother in 1952, he began one of the most prolific songwriting partnerships of the last half-century that sold forty million records between 1959-1963. Sedaka soon recorded chart toppers “The Diary,” “Oh! Carol,” ” Stairway to Heaven,” “Calendar Girl,” “Little Devil,” “Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen,” “Next Door To An Angel,” and “Breaking Up Is Hard To Do”.
In 1964, the direction of American music changed drastically when The Beatles launched “The British Invasion.” Due to his many talents as a songwriter, Sedaka was able to prevail, writing hit songs for such artists as Frank Sinatra, Tom Jones, The Monkees and The Fifth Dimension.
Sedaka found enormous popularity in the UK with the release of a string of critically praised albums “Emergence”, “Solitaire” and “The Tra-La Days Are Over.” These albums caught the attention of Elton John, who was riding the wave of his own tremendous success. Sir Elton would sign Sedaka to his fledging new label Rocket Records and re-introduce Sedaka to American audiences. The two albums recorded for Rocket, “Sedaka’s Back” in 1974 and “The Hungry Years” in 1975, became top selling albums globally. His comeback was further heralded by two of his songs co-written with Phil Cody; “Bad Blood” and the quintessential “Laughter in the Rain,” both reaching the #1 position on the music charts. “Breaking Up Is Hard To Do” was re-released as a ballad in 1975 making it only the second time in history that an artist made the Billboard Top Ten with two different versions of the same song. During this time, Captain and Tennille scored a worldwide #1 hit and the Grammy for Record of the Year with Sedaka/Greenfield’s “Love Will Keep Us Together.” The line “Sedaka Is Back” can be heard as the song fades out.
Always looking to challenge himself as a composer, Sedaka has returned to his classical roots, composing his first symphony, “Joie De Vivre,” and his first piano concerto, “Manhattan Intermezzo.” Sedaka recorded these two pieces with the Philharmonia Orchestra of London at Air Studios in London. “Manhattan Intermezzo” was released on 2013’s “The Real Neil.” “Joie De Vivre” was released on 2016’s “I Do It For Applause.”
With a career spanning seven decades, the National Academy of Popular Music has twice honored him, first with his induction into The Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1984 and in 2004 with The Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognizes outstanding work in furthering the successes of songwriters. He has had a street named after him in his hometown of Brooklyn and was given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Sedaka took to social media, performing daily mini- concerts of his entire body of work for his loyal devoted fan base, while introducing his timeless songs to a new audience. This will no doubt add to his legend – that of a consummate musician, an extraordinary vocalist, and an ageless songwriting talent.