Los Angeles (USA), Feb. 28 (LaPresse) – Neil Sedaka has died at the age of 86. An American singer-songwriter and composer, his hits include 'Breaking Up Is Hard to Do' and 'Laughter in the Rain'. "Our family is devastated by the sudden passing of our beloved husband, father and grandfather, Neil Sedaka," the family said in a statement. "A true rock and roll legend, an inspiration to millions of people, but above all, at least for those who were fortunate enough to know him, an incredible human being whom we will deeply miss," it added. Sedaka collaborated with lyricist and childhood neighbor Howard Greenfield on songs that reflected the teenage innocence of the post-Elvis/pre-Beatles era, between the late 1950s and the early 1960s, including 'Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen', 'Calendar Girl' and 'Oh! Carol'. After a long lean period, he re-emerged with hits such as 'Laughter in the Rain' and 'Bad Blood'. The cover of 'Love Will Keep Us Together' by Captain & Tennille reached number one on the charts in 1975.
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