Neil Sedaka, who has been with the love of his life for almost 61 years, doesn’t have a lot of experience to draw from when he sings, “Breaking Up is Hard to Do.”. “.
In addition to recently celebrating his 84th birthday, the endearing “down doobie do down down” singer gushes that he was “born married to his wife” and is utterly devoted to his grandchildren. “.
Neil Sedaka has given us much over the years, delighting us with his voice and presence. Who wouldn’t love Neil Sedaka?
Although he has a natural talent and has written and performed some of the most iconic songs in music history, Neil Sedaka once acknowledged that he was initially shy to sing in front of an audience.
I knew I had a great voice, but I was embarrassed by how high it was, Sedaka admitted. However, as I was singing at my bar mitzvah, the rabbi started to cry. “.
Together with Howard Greenfield, who was 16 at the time, the classically trained pianist, who was only 13 at the time and was enrolled in the Julliard Preparatory for Children on a Saturday scholarship program, wrote songs for Sedaka’s school band, the Linc-Tones, which would later adopt the name the Tokens.
During their time working out of New York’s renowned Brill Building, the pair went on to write top-charting singles for artists like Sedaka’s “Breaking up is Hard to Do,” Captain and Tenille’s “Love will keep us Together,” and Connie Francis’ “Stupid Cupid.”.
We had a piano and a bench in our cell, but there was no window. Sedaka stated that the two were earning $50 per week and that after having a hit song, you could only get a room with a window. We would compose and perform our work for representatives from record labels every day from 9 am to 5 pm. It was difficult, but great practice nonetheless.
His well-known song “Oh! Carol” (1959), which was inspired by his high school sweetheart Carole King, was the first in the structure to make the Top 10. He was the first to record his songs, as well.
Greenfield and Sedaka collaborated up until the middle of the 1970s. Greenfield, an openly gay man, died of AIDS-related complications in 1986.
Meanwhile, Sedaka left The Tokens at the age of 19, just as the band was at the height of its success with “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” and “Tonight I Fell in Love” in 1961. “.
Despite the fact that his first three solo albums didn’t do well on the charts, one song earned him a spot on American Bandstand with Dick Clark, and not long after that, he signed a recording contract.
Sedaka’s first significant success came in 1958 when “The diary,” a song he genuinely wanted to “look into that little book,” peaked at number 14 on the Billboard Top 100.
It was influenced by Connie Francis’ journal.
When Sedaka released “Calendar Girl” in 1960, his sixth hit in just two years, his popularity reached its peak.
While playing at the now-defunct Esther Manor resort in the New York Catskill Mountains, he met Leba Strassberg, whom he later married.
The resort was co-owned by Leba’s mother, Esther, a successful businesswoman who didn’t like to see her daughter courted by a mediocre musician.
Despite Esther’s disapproval and Eleanor Sedaka, another interfering mother, the couple persisted in their relationship despite Esther’s disapproval.
While expecting him to cause a miscarriage, Eleanor previously acknowledged riding roller coasters. She also supported her child’s decision to pursue a career as a classical pianist rather than a pop star.
My father was a taxi driver and never made more than $10,000 a year,” Sedaka recalled, adding that he made the error of giving the money to his mother, who went on to manage the majority of his rights as an artist, including his finances and royalties. She quickly changed her mind after I received a royalty check for “Stupid Cupid” for $62,000.
“I also became aware of and accepted him because of my father after the initial shock. I think I even grasp it in some ways. My dad was very thrifty; the other man bought her jewelry and furs and took her to beautiful places, while my parents shared two rooms with nine other family members. Only they, according to him, were living it up with my money, he claimed. They spent tens of thousands of dollars. I was unable to pay anything—not even my taxes. My wife and I had to start over from scratch. “.
Eleanor Eleanor nearly overdosed on sleeping pills “because she couldn’t stand to see her son and her lover at odds,” according to Sedaka, who kicked her mother’s boyfriend out of the house. She claimed to be unaware that they were using my funds. I didn’t talk to her for an entire year.
His devoted wife then became his new manager, replacing him.
When The Beatles showed up and ruined everything, Sedaka’s career was just about to take off.
He continued to compose songs for other people, but his U.S. chart success was dwindling.
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He decided to move Leba and their children, Dara and Marc, to London, the center of hit makers.
Regarding his decline in popularity, Sedaka remarked, “Well, I used to walk down the street and people would ask, ‘Didn’t you used to be Neil Sedaka?'”. “Well, you haven’t heard the last of me,” I replied. I remain Neil Sedaka. My strategy had to change. Early in the 1970s was when I first met Elton John. Have you ever heard of him?
Sedaka, who met the “I’m Still Standing” singer at a party in London, claimed he was persuaded to sign with the Rocket Record Company, which was John’s previous record label.
With the 1974 release of “Sedaka’s Back,” the first of three albums he co-wrote with Elton John, Sedaka’s career took off, and the singer was once more enjoying success on the American charts.
He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1983 following his induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
He served as a guest judge on American Idol in 2003, the same year that “Solitaire,” a song by Neil Sedaka from 1972, was recorded and released by season two runner-up Clay Aiken. It went on to become the best-selling single of the following year.
In order to keep fans entertained during COVID, Sedaka started posting mini-concerts on social media. Last September, in celebration of his and Leba’s 60th wedding anniversary, he also released a special concert that featured three songs he wrote especially for her.
The heartfelt ode begins, “I would like to dedicate today’s mini-concert to my beautiful wife, Leba.”. In September, we will celebrate our 60th anniversary. Here are three songs that were made especially for Leba.
Beginning in May, Sedaka posted a video on Facebook in which he disclosed his association with Cameo. He declared that he would be delighted to accept requests for birthdays, anniversaries, or any other special event where he could deliver a tailored message.
He ended the brief performance by playing a few bars of “Breaking Up is Hard to Do,” to applause from the audience. One person said, “I’ve been a fan of your music since I was a teenager, and I’m 75 now. Please don’t halt.
Dear Neil, your songs brighten the day, a heartfelt message from another admirer that many people can relate to. I find myself singing the melodies you wrote all the time. They resemble a part of me now. I’m grateful for the joy you bring to the world. “.
Despite the fact that Sedaka still makes people smile with his music, his wife and family are his top priorities.
Sedaka, a devoted grandfather of three kids, including a set of twins, says that having a friend who takes care of something for you is a wonderful gift.
Regarding their children, Marc (born 1967) is a writer and editor for TV and film, and Dara (born 1963) is an actress and singer well-known for movies like Where the Boys Are.
Sedaka said of his burgeoning career, “I could have been bigger, but I wasn’t controversial enough. I stayed away from drugs and wrecking balls. Nothing controversial happened in my personal life. You can’t claim that because I was talented and driven to success, I didn’t succeed in achieving fame.
It is very admirable that Neil Sedaka and Leba have been together for so long and haven’t let fame ruin their blissful union.
He is an incredibly talented musician whose work will undoubtedly have an impact on subsequent generations. We appreciate you giving us a peek into your life and music. Which of his songs, whether he wrote them or not, do you prefer?
