Neil Sedaka, Breaking Up Is Hard To Do singer and pop song hitmaker, dies aged 86

The Guardian - World NewsEN 3 min read 100% complete by Sian CainFebruary 28, 2026 at 12:04 AM

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Neil Sedaka, the prolific singer-songwriter known for hits like "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do" and "Oh! Carol," died at age 86 in Los Angeles, as confirmed by his representative on Friday. Born in 1939, Sedaka was a Juilliard-trained pianist who transitioned to pop music, forming a successful songwriting partnership with Howard Greenfield. He achieved teen idol status in the pre-British Invasion era, selling over 25 million records between 1959 and 1963. Despite a career lull during the rise of the Beatles, Sedaka later influenced artists like Elton John and continued writing hits for himself and others, including "Stupid Cupid" and "Love Will Keep Us Together." His family expressed their devastation at the loss of the rock and roll legend.

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Key Player Opposition Context

Bettmann Archive 30% Paul Simon 40% Los Angeles 40% Carole King 40% Burt Bacharach 40% Tchaikovsky Conservatory 40% Moscow 40% Elton John 50% Juilliard School 50% New York ×260% Howard Greenfield 70% Neil Sedaka ×4100%

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neil sedaka 100% singer-songwriter 80% pop music 70% hitmaker 60% songwriting 60% breaking up is hard to do 50% death 50% brill building 40% rock and roll 40%

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