Breaking up is Hard to do: Very sad to share the news that my fellow Brooklyn native, the music icon Neil Sedaka has died at the age of 86 today in Los Angeles.
“Our family is devastated by the sudden passing of our beloved husband, father and grandfather, Neil Sedaka,” the family said in a statement to Variety. “A true rock n’ 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.”
Sedaka was known for hits such as “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do” and “Laughter in the Rain.”
Sedaka scored several No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 during his peak years in the 1960s and ’70s.
The gifted singer, songwriter and piano man also wrote many songs that were hits for other artists and was nominated for five Grammy awards over the course of his six-decade career.
Famous people born on February 26 — “And away we go”! I Love Lucy Fred Mertz William Frawley (1887); Honeymooners Ralph Kramden Jackie Gleason (1916); Odd Couple Fastidious Felix Unger Tony Randall (1920); Name that Tune Tom Kennedy (1927); Ring of Fire Johnny Cash (1932); Cotton Comes to Harlem Godfrey Cambridge (1933); Dock of the Bay Michael Bolton (1953); Dear Sister-In-Law Diane Pasheluk (1956); Author Happy-Birthday-2-Me John Cirillo (1956); Legal Eagle Josh Benaroya; Future PR whiz Avery Clair! Wow — quite the super group!
Wonderful memorial tribute to the Red Man Carmine Abbatiello at the American Hotel in Freehold, NJ this afternoon. Friends came from far and wide to say thanks for the memories! Devoted son Eric put together an amazing afternoon.
Thursday Throwbacks at WFUV Radio in 1977-78: Fordham hoops, hockey and a belly-laugh at the station with the late, great Jim Donaghy, gifted and a class act. Jim went on to be National Baseball writer at the AP!
