Neil Sedaka, Brill Building-era Hitmaker, Dies 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.
