Overview
- He was transported from his Los Angeles–area home to a hospital around 8 a.m. Friday after feeling unwell, according to reports citing local first responders.
- His family confirmed his sudden death in a public statement and said he is survived by his wife, Leba, and their children, Dara and Marc.
- A classically trained pianist and Brill Building mainstay, Sedaka wrote or co-wrote hundreds of songs, including 'Calendar Girl,' 'Oh! Carol' and 'Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen.'
- After a mid-1960s lull, he mounted a major 1970s comeback aided by Elton John, returning to the charts with 'Laughter in the Rain' and 'Bad Blood' and reviving 'Breaking Up Is Hard to Do' as a ballad.
- He earned five Grammy nominations, a 1978 Hollywood Walk of Fame star and 1983 induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and he continued performing well into his 80s.