Happy Birthday to Neil Sedaka, who turns 82 on Saturday (March 13th)!!! Sedaka is best known for his string of hits in the early-1960's and again during his mid-'70s comeback. His legendary hits, most of which were written with his early lyricist, the late-Howie Greenfield, include “Breaking Up Is Hard To Do,” “Oh! Carol,” “Calendar Girl,” “Happy Birthday, Sweet Sixteen,” “Love Will Keep Us Together” — which was later a hit for the Captain & Tennille — and “Where The Boys Are” and “Stupid Cupid” which were major hits for Connie Francis. With lyricist Carole Bayer Sager, Sedaka wrote “When Love Comes Knockin' At Your Door” for the Monkees. His two 1975 chart-toppers, “Laughter In The Rain” and “Bad Blood” were written with lyricist Phil Cody.
In a 2018 interview with Naples Daily News, Sedaka revealed that he's come to the end of the road, explaining, “I’ve been doing it over 60 years. I’ve been traveling, and it’s become too taxing on my health. I have arthritis. . . I’d rather go out while I’m in good shape. Too many singers went on too long. The voice was gone and they needed teleprompters to remember the words.”
Sedaka went on to say: “I used to do 50, 52 concerts a year. I had my own plane. But the last couple of years have been very tough. So I would rather bow out. I think you have to know when it’s time. My voice is perfect. I can still play piano with arthritis. Of course, I don't play Brahms, I play Sedaka.”