Posted on 02/28/2026 7:57:11 PM PST by nickcarraway
On Friday it was announced that songwriter Neil Sedaka had passed away at 86 years old.
Sedaka was responsible for a great number hits through the '60s and '70s, including "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do," "The Diary," "Oh! Carol," "Laughter in the Rain" and more.
"Our family is devastated by the sudden passing of our beloved husband, father and grandfather, Neil Sedaka," his family said in a statement. "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."
Following the news, artists have posted their condolences online, several of which you can view below.
Micky Dolenz called Sedaka "a rare talent" in his post, noting that one of Sedaka's songs, "When Love Comes Knockin' (At Your Door)," was included on the Monkees' 1967 album More of the Monkees.
Over on Instagram, Elton John posted some words to his story: "Neil Sedaka's passing is very sad news. He was a dear friend and I loved working alongside him at Rocket Records in the 1970s — and was thrilled at his renaissance. He was truly a great artist and songwriter. ... He deserves to be in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame." (Sedaka has never been nominated for the Hall, despite being eligible for decades.)
"Neil Sedaka was so talented, and he inspired me to follow my dream of being a songwriter," Carole King wrote on her Instagram. "With love and gratitude and condolences to his family."
Carole King and Neil Sedaka dated in high school, I think that is freaky for two future super song writers and singers to have just crossed paths like that.
1000 songs written. Many of them big hits performed by others. That’s a lot of royalties.
da da da da
Sedaka is back!
da da da da
https://youtu.be/GpBZNh70uhA?si=aRZUxVURKfX4O0Fk
Those synthesizers really thundered in the stereo systems back then
My parents had an unfinished basement which was my bedroom
and the polished concrete helped the acoustics
LOL
Going Wild (1958)
She also waxed a song about Neil Sedaka.
Oh, Neil (1959)
Sorry for the multiple posts. That was due to a system error.
We may be old but we got to see all the good bands and musicians.
Unbelievably talented guy. Knew how to write hit songs. Superb musician.
That is some wild stuff.
Even wilder is the fact that Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton all grew up near each other in Surrey, England. They were friends who shared records and jammed together as boys. Someone wrote it would be like Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris and Willie Mays all playing on the same Little League team.
“Sorry for the multiple posts. That was due to a system error.”
A poorly grounded component between the keyboard and the floor? 😂
J/k, FRiend!
“Even wilder is the fact that Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton all grew up near each other in Surrey, England. “
All Yardbirds !
Clapton was the original Yardbirds lead guitarist, but left when the rest of the band wanted to move away from the blues. They offered the job to Page, but he did not want to leave session work. He recommended Jeff Beck. Later, Page joined as bassist, then he and Beck were dual guitarists for a stretch. Page became the sole guitarist when Beck quit during a tour. He was left with rights to the Yardbirds name. He recruited his new bandmates, and fulfilled previously-booked tour dates as the “New Yardbirds,” before they took on their new name: Led Zeppelin.
He had a show on Sirius XM called “Songs in the Key of Neil” that I really enjoyed. I will miss him.
Eyde Gorme was one of his first cousins. Talk about a talented family.
Thanks for the info but I was aware of it all being a huge Yardbirds’ and early Led Zep ( first 2 albums ) back in the day . New Yarbirds changed their name to Led Zeppelin in Sept. of 1968 . The garage band I was in at the time was called Zeppelin Moored from the early spring of 1968 ! Cut the MOOR and an L and you’ve got Led Zeppelin !
Strange how this thread goes from being about Neil Sedaka to Led Zeppelin. I’ve seen Led Zeppelin and Neil Sedaka was no Led Zeppelin! /s
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