Neil Sedaka dead at 86
Written by WorldOneFm on February 27, 2026
Neil Sedaka has died aged 86.
The singer and songwriter behind hits like Breaking Up Is Hard To Do, Oh Carol and Calendar Girl passed away after being rushed to hospital in Los Angeles on Friday morning.
“Our family is devastated by the sudden passing of our beloved husband, father and grandfather, Neil Sedaka,” his family wrote in a statement to Variety.
“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.”
The LA County West Hollywood sheriff’s station told TMZ that deputies had assisted the fire department on a “medical request” call, and paramedics had transported him to a hospital at about 8 am local time.
No cause of death has been provided.
Sedaka was nominated for five Grammys throughout his career. In 1983, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and he has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
He also served as a guest judge on the second season of American Idol in 2003, where the ’60s star saw Clay Aiken perform a cover of his song Solitaire.
Sedaka and his wife, Leba Strassberg, married in 1962, and the couple share two children.
