American singer-songwriter Neil Sedaka has died aged 86, his family has confirmed, marking the end of a six-decade career that produced multiple chart-topping hits and enduring pop standards.
Born in New York, Sedaka rose to prominence in the early 1960s with songs such as Breaking Up Is Hard To Do after first finding success as a songwriter with Stupid Cupid for Connie Francis.
Sedaka enjoyed a major resurgence in the 1970s with easy-listening favourites including Laughter in the Rain and Bad Blood. He also penned Love Will Keep Us Together which became a number-one hit for Captain & Tennille in 1975.
Sedaka continued performing well beyond his commercial peak, remaining an active presence in entertainment until his death. No cause of death was disclosed.
