Award-winning singer, songwriter, composer, pianist, and author Neil Sedaka will appear on Saturday, July 20 at 8 p.m. at NYCB Theatre at Westbury
The impressive 50-year career of this Songwriting Hall of Fame Member ranges from being one of the first teen pop sensations of the ‘50s, a relevant songwriter for himself and other artists in the ‘60s, a superstar in the ‘70s, remaining a constant force in writing and performing presently.
This is all thanks to the countless songs he has written, performed, and produced that continue to inspire artists and audiences around the world.
Sedaka, who has had a street named after him in his hometown of Brooklyn and was given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, was one of the original creators of the “Brill Building” sound in the late fifties and early ‘60s, along with Howard Greenfield, when they were the first to sign with Don Kirshner and Al Nevins at Aldon Music. Aldon went on to sign Neil Diamond, Carole King, and Paul Simon and became the center of the pop world.
Sedaka has written and recorded several chart toppers for himself – “Laughter In The Rain,” “Bad Blood,” “The Immigrant,” “Calendar Girl,” and “Breaking Up Is Hard To Do” among them – as well as numerous hits for others, including “Theme From Where The Boys Are” (Connie Francis), “Love Will Keep Us Together,” (Captain and Tennille) – Grammy Award for Record of the Year, “The Hungry Years” (Frank Sinatra), “Solitaire” (Elvis Presley), “It Hurts To Be In Love” (Gene Pitney) and “Workin’ On A Groovy Thing” (The Fifth Dimension).
Elton John signed Sedaka to his up and coming record label, Rocket Records, and the two resulting albums – Sedaka’s Back in 1974 and The Hungry Years in 1975 – both became top selling albums around the world. In Rolling Stone Magazine, Sedaka was hailed as “the new phenomenon.” His song, “Breaking Up Is Hard To Do,” which had been released in the 1960s and became a No. 1 hit, was re-released as a ballad in 1975, and made music history when it reached No. 1 on the charts, becoming the first song recorded in two different versions by the same artist to reach Number One.
With a career spanning six decades, a rare feat in the entertainment world, Sedaka never ceases to amaze. He shows no signs of slowing down. Neil has appeared on FOX’s hit Television show American Idol, as a guest judge – in which Clay Aiken would perform Neil’s “Solitaire,” which saw an inevitable release, reaching No. 4 on the Hot 100 Singles chart, and was one of the Top Selling Singles of 2004.
On June 10, 2004, he received the Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of Popular Music / Songwriters Hall of Fame at the organization’s 35th annual induction and awards ceremony in New York. Named for the former President of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, this award is given to individuals in recognition of their outstanding achievements in furthering the successes of songwriters. On June 20, at the invitation of his Royal Highness Charles, Prince of Wales, Neil performed at Buckingham Palace in support of The Prince of Wales Foundation.
Sedaka’s latest release, The Real Neil, the artist’s first acoustic album – piano and voice – just as he writes the songs includes brand new material and a few Sedaka classics. The Real Neil also marks the official release of “Manhattan Intermezzo,” Sedaka’s first piano concerto.
“Laughter in the Rain,” the critically acclaimed musical that chronicles Neil’s rise, fall, and rise again, just concluded its tour through the United Kingdom. Produced by Bill Kenwright and Laurie Mansfield, “Laughter in the Rain” garnered exceptional reviews for Philip Norman’s book and Wayne Smith’s star-making performance as Neil.
Tickets are $39.50 – $59.50 plus applicable service charges and are available now online at www.ticketmaster.com, charge by phone at 800-745-3000 or at the Westbury box office. Event, date and time are subject to change. For more information, visit: www.thetheatreatwestbury.com.
