Neil Sedaka, a former teen pop star, has come a long way in his musical career. Teaming up with Howard Greenfield at a young age, the duo wrote some of the most iconic songs of our time, including “Stupid Cupid” by Connie Francis and “Love will keep us Together” by Captain & Tenille.
In the early days, Sedaka and Greenfield worked tirelessly in a small cubicle without a window, writing songs and playing them for record labels. They faced challenges, but Sedaka describes it as “hard but wonderful training.” Finally, their breakthrough came with the hit song “Oh! Carol” which reached the top 10 on the charts.
Sadly, Greenfield passed away in the 1970s due to AIDS. Around the same time, Sedaka left the Tokens, a group that emerged from his school’s band, in 1961. He continued his journey as a solo artist, achieving success with hits like “The Diary” and “Calendar Girl.”
During his career, Sedaka found love when he met Leba Strassberg at a performance in the Catskill Mountains. Despite disapproval from both their mothers, their love prevailed. Sedaka’s mother, Eleanor, initially opposed his music career and even tried to induce a miscarriage when she was pregnant with him. However, she had a change of heart when Sedaka received a royalty check for $62,000. Unfortunately, Sedaka’s mother and her lover mismanaged his finances, causing him to start from scratch when he cut ties with them. With the support of his wife, Sedaka rebuilt his career.
Though overshadowed by The Beatles, Sedaka continued to write songs for others and eventually moved to London with his wife and children. He regained prominence with the album “Sedaka’s Back,” which he collaborated on with Elton John. In 1983, Sedaka was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
While his music has brought joy to many, it is Sedaka’s family that holds the highest priority for him. As a grandfather to three adorable grandchildren, he cherishes his role and the love he shares with his wife. Reflecting on his career, he acknowledges that he could have achieved even greater success but attributes his more modest fame to not being controversial enough. Nevertheless, Sedaka is proud of his talent and the fame he did attain.
Neil Sedaka’s journey in the music industry has been one of dedication, love, and perseverance. Despite the challenges he faced, he has left an undeniable mark on the world of music. Let us celebrate this incredible artist and share his story with our family and friends.
