
Neil Sedaka, Two-Era Pop Icon, Dies at 86
Neil Sedaka, the buoyant singer, pianist and songwriter behind 1950s hits like Oh! Carol and a 1970s comeback with Laughter in the Rain and Love Will Keep Us Together, has died at 86.
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Neil Sedaka, the buoyant singer, pianist and songwriter behind 1950s hits like Oh! Carol and a 1970s comeback with Laughter in the Rain and Love Will Keep Us Together, has died at 86.

Neil Sedaka, a prolific pop songwriter whose career stretched from post‑World War II hits to the Elton John era, died at 86. He wrote classics such as Breaking Up Is Hard to Do and Love Will Keep Us Together, formed a long-running partnership with Howard Greenfield, and collaborated with stars like Connie Francis, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Tom Jones, Elton John and Clay Aiken. With multiple No. 1 and Top 10 hits, he later relaunched as a performer and appeared on American Idol; he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and has a Hollywood Walk of Fame star. He is survived by his wife Leba, two children, and three grandchildren.

Neil Sedaka, the singer‑songwriter behind hits such as Oh! Carol, Calendar Girl and Breaking Up Is Hard to Do, died aged 86 in Los Angeles, closing a six‑decade career that also included writing songs for other artists and influencing peers like Elton John; a child prodigy who formed a long‑running partnership with Howard Greenfield, Sedaka continued touring and recording after early fame, with his family confirming the death and no cause disclosed.

Billy Steinberg, the prolific songwriter behind hits for Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, the Bangles and more, died at 74 after a cancer battle; teamed with Tom Kelly to pen chart-toppers like Like a Virgin, True Colors, So Emotional and I’ll Stand By You, later continued writing with Rick Nowels and Josh Alexander, and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2011.

Taylor Swift was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026 at age 36, making her one of the youngest honorees. She submitted songs including All Too Well (10 Minute Version), Blank Space, Anti-Hero, Love Story and The Last Great American Dynasty. The induction ceremony is June 11 in New York City, and the class also includes Walter Afanasieff, Terry Britten and Graham Lyle, Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons of Kiss, Kenny Loggins, Alanis Morissette and Christopher “Tricky” Stewart.

Hilary Duff returns to the stage for her first live show in 18 years, delivering a sold-out, high-energy 17-song set that blends fan favorites with five new tracks from her forthcoming album Luck … Or Something. Her voice sounds more textured, she engages the crowd with playful moments and even invites fans on stage, and the night closes with an emotional encore of Mature and What Dreams Are Made Of amid pink butterfly confetti, signaling a possible enduring musical comeback alongside her acting career.

Hilary Duff releases 'Roommates,' a synth-heavy pop single about rekindling a relationship, co-written with husband Matthew Koma and Brian Phillips; the track is the lead single from her upcoming album Luck...or Something, due February 20 via Atlantic, marking her first new album since 2015’s Breathe In. Breathe Out. The video channels Come Clean-era vibes as Duff promotes new tour dates and a Las Vegas residency.

Boy Throb, a unique boy band formed online, gained viral fame on TikTok with their quirky videos and pink velour tracksuits, aiming to reach 1 million followers to help their member Darshan Magdum secure a US visa, with ambitions to win a Grammy and spread joy through their music.

Addison Rae, the Guardian's artist of the year, has transformed from a TikTok star to a respected pop artist with her debut album Addison, known for its raw honesty and her influence in the industry, especially as a young woman working with female producers. She embraces fame despite its challenges, values control over her image, and is optimistic about her future in music, aiming to release new work when ready.

Roberta Flack, originally aspiring to be a classical pianist, transitioned into a successful pop music career with hits like 'Killing Me Softly,' blending classical influences with jazz, gospel, and folk, despite facing racial and gender barriers.

Rosalía's fourth album, Lux, explores themes of spirituality, saints, and contradictions, blending classical flamenco with avant-garde influences and multiple languages, while addressing her artistic identity and societal criticisms.

Lily Allen's new album 'West End Girl' features a song 'Madeline' that appears to be about her divorce from David Harbour and an open marriage, with the character Madeline possibly inspired by real or fictional women. The song and its story highlight the allure of mystery in pop music, contrasting with other artists' revelations about their inspirations, and reflect changing attitudes towards non-monogamy and infidelity in relationships.

Taylor Swift's album 'The Life of a Showgirl' broke records with its first-week sales, but her singles from the album, including 'The Fate of Ophelia,' continue to showcase her shift towards a more broody, mature sound in the 2020s, contrasting with her earlier pop hits of the 2010s.

Lily Allen's album West End Girl, her first in seven years, is a highly personal autofictional work reflecting her divorce from David Harbour, blending detailed revelations with acclaimed music and sparking media controversy and fan admiration.

Lily Allen's new album 'West End Girl' is a raw, brutally honest reflection of her recent divorce, created in just 10 days, and has been praised for its emotional depth and catchy melodies, marking a significant artistic comeback after years of personal struggles.