Neil Sedaka has been married to his true love for almost 61 years, so he doesn’t have much experience when it comes to “Breaking up is hard to do.”
The attractive “down doobie do down down” singer, who recently celebrated his 84th birthday and won hearts with his songs, is excited about his grandchildren and extremely happy to be “born in marriage with his wife.”
How can anyone love Neil Sedak? The extraordinary singer has been gifting us with his voice and presence for many years. He gave us so much.
The naturally gifted Neil Sedaka has written and recorded some of the most memorable songs in music history. However, he once admitted that he was too shy to sing in public as a child.
“I knew I had a remarkable voice, but it was awkward because it was so high,” Sedaka said. “But when I sang at the bar mitzvah, the rabbi was in tears.
Enrolled in Julliard’s Preparatory for Children’s Saturday scholarship program at age 13, the classically trained pianist teamed up with 16-year-old Howard Greenfield to write music for Sedaka’s school band, the Linc-Tones, which eventually became the Tokens.
The pair performed at New York’s iconic Brill Building and went on to record number-one singles such as Sedak’s “Breaking up is Hard to Do”, Captain & Tenille’s “Love will keep us together” and “Stupid Cupid”. ” by Connie Francis.
“We didn’t have a window, but our cubicle had a piano and a bench. Sedaka declared, ‘You didn’t get a room with a window until after you got hit,'” referring to the couple’s weekly salary of $50.
“We wrote from 9 am to 5 pm every day and then we wrote for record company representatives. It was challenging but the instruction was excellent.”
Inspired by his high school sweetheart, Carole King, he was the first person at the facility to record his songs and became the first to have his hit “Oh! Carol” (1959) made the Top 10.
Greenfield, who was openly gay, worked with Sedaka until the mid-1970s. In 1986, Greenfield died of AIDS.
Sedaka left The Tokens at the age of 19, just before the group achieved their biggest success in 1961 with the songs “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” and “Tonight I Fell in Love”.
His first three solo albums failed to chart, but one song earned him an appearance on American Bandstand alongside Dick Clark, and he was signed to a record deal shortly thereafter.
“The Diary” became his first major recording, reaching No. 14 on the Billboard Top 100 in 1958. Sedaka wrote the song after reading Connie Francis’ diary, which motivated him to “look in that little book. ” With the release of “Calendar Girl,” Sedak’s sixth hit in two years, in 1960, his star power skyrocketed.
He met Leba Strassberg in 1962 while performing at the now-closed Esther Manor Resort in the Catskill Mountains of New York.
Leba’s mother, Esther, was a businesswoman who co-owned the resort, and she didn’t like her daughter being courted by a modest singer.
The couple got along with Eleanor Sedaka, another meddling mother, and stayed together despite Esther’s displeasure.
Eleanor, who previously admitted to riding a rollercoaster when expecting her child in the hope she would miscarry, encouraged her child to become a classical pianist rather than a pop star.
“She soon changed her mind when I got a $62,000 license check for ‘Stupid Cupid.’ My father was a taxi driver and never earned more than $10,000 a year,” Sedaka said. He also mentioned that he gave the money to his mother, who eventually, along with her partner, took control of most of his artistic rights, including his income and royalties.
“After the initial shock, I found out about him and accepted him, as I did my father. In a way, I understood. My dad was quite thrifty, while the other man bought her jewelry and furs and took her in. My parents shared a two-room house with nine other relatives.” “They were living the high life on my money,” he said. “I wasn’t able to pay any taxes. I had to start over with my wife.”
Eleanor almost overdosed on sleeping pills “because she couldn’t bear to see her son and her lover break up,” Sedaka said, dumping her mother’s boyfriend in the process. She claimed she didn’t know they were using my money. I kept quiet from her for a whole year.’
Around that time, his devoted wife took over the role of manager for him.
Sedaka was about to strike it rich when The Beatles appeared and caused a stir in the music world.
Although he was still writing songs for other people, he moved Leba and their two children, Dara and Marc, to London, the epicenter of hit-making, due to his declining popularity in the United States charts.
Alluding to his decline in prominence, Sedaka stated:
When I walked down the street, people would ask me, ‘Weren’t you Neil Sedaka?’ I replied, ‘Well, you haven’t heard the last of me; I’m still Neil Sedaka. I had to adapt my appearance to it. In the early 1970s, I met a man named Elton John. Have you heard of him?
Sedaka claimed he was approached to sign with John’s previous record company, Rocket Record Company, after meeting the “I’m Still Standing” singer at a party in London.
As the name suggests, Sedaka’s career took off after the release of “Sedaka’s Back”, the first of three albums he collaborated on with Elton John, in 1974. Soon after, the singer returned to the charts in the United States.
In addition to being elected to the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1983, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
During his 2003 appearance as a judge on American Idol, runner-up Clay Aiken recorded and released Sedak’s 1972 ballad “Solitaire”, which became the best-selling single of 2004.
To keep his fans connected during COVID, Sedaka started posting short appearances on social media. In September last year, he recorded a special concert with three songs he wrote especially for Leba in honor of their 60th anniversary. The touching tribute is written as follows: “I would like to dedicate today’s mini-concert to my lovely wife Leba. We will celebrate our 60th anniversary in September. These three pieces were composed especially for Leba.”
Sedaka announced his arrival to the Cameo family in a video he shared on Facebook in early May. He mentioned how much he looks forward to requests for anniversaries, birthdays, and other significant events where he can deliver a heartfelt note. He ended the short video with a few bars of “Breaking Up is Hard to Do” to applause from his followers. One person commented: “I’ve been listening to your songs since I was a teenager and I love them! I am 75 years old.
Please don’t give up.
Many people can relate to this kind letter written by another fan: “Dear Neil, your songs brighten the day.” I often find myself humming the songs you wrote, almost as if they were ingrained in me. I am grateful for the happiness you offer to all.”
Although Sedak’s music still makes people happy, his main priorities are his wife and family.
“I’ve been blessed to have a partner who takes care of you from birth — that’s an amazing gift,” said Sedaka, a loving grandfather of three — two of whom are twins.
As for their children, Marc (born 1967) works as a writer and editor for television and film, and Dara (born 1963) is an actress and singer best known for films such as Where the Boys Are.
Sedaka stated, “I could have been bigger, but I wasn’t controversial enough,” about his booming career. I avoided accidents and drug use. Nothing dramatic happened in my personal life. You can’t say I didn’t get popular because I was talented and I wanted it.’
The fact that Neil Sedaka and Leba have been married for so long and haven’t let celebrities ruin their amazing love is very inspiring.
He is a truly gifted musician and his music will undoubtedly influence generations to come.
We are grateful that you have shared your life and music with all of us. Which of his songs or performances is your favorite?
Neil Sedaka’s journey through the world of music has been remarkable. From his beginnings composing catchy tunes in the Brill Building to becoming an internationally acclaimed performer, Sedaka has remained a permanent presence in the hearts of his fans. His natural talent, along with his strong work ethic, allowed him to navigate the ever-changing music industry for decades and leave an indelible mark on pop music history. Despite his rise to fame, Sedak’s humble personality and genuine love for his family have grounded him in a way that is rare and admirable in the entertainment world.
His enduring love story with his wife Leba, which spans over 60 years, is proof of his loyalty and dedication not only to his family but also to his craft. Through the ups and downs of his career, including the British Invasion that briefly overshadowed him, Sedaka remained resilient, adapting to new trends and eventually finding renewed success with artists such as Elton John. His musical versatility, from creating popular hits like “Breaking Up is Hard to Do” to ballads for other legendary singers, demonstrates his extraordinary ability to evolve while remaining true to his signature style.
Above all, Neil Sedaka’s impact goes beyond record sales and chart-topping singles. His music weaves into the lives of generations, offering joy, comfort, and a sense of connection. Fans who have followed his career since the beginning continue to find solace in his songs, while new listeners discover the timeless charm of his melodies and lyrics. As he continues to share his voice and passion, Sedak’s impact on music and culture will undoubtedly live on. Whether through her classic hits or her heartfelt performances today, Neil Sedaka remains a revered icon, and her contributions will be celebrated for years to come.