“Breaking Up Is Hard To Do,” arguably the biggest hit for Neil Sedaka, is about the pain and misery of separating. “If you go, then I’ll be blue,” is a prominent lyric of the song. It also has now become a direct correlation of loss we all feel with Sedaka’s recent passing.
I had the distinct honor of working with Neil on several occasions. Like many of those with whom he shared his music, I, too received an annual Christmas card from Neil and his beloved wife of 64 years, Leba. It was regularly a highlight of the holiday season for me.
Neil was always so pleasant and so excited to play for his loving audiences. He would always show up early for sound check, tickling the grand piano on stage with classical pieces just to warm up his fingers. I would stand in the back of The Arcada, out of sight, yet wide-eyed with joyous anticipation of the sold-out show. “THIS is a true legend on my stage,” I would think to myself!
Each year, his show would center on some of his biggest hits and the stories behind them, including, “Oh! Carol,” referring to a brief romance with Carole King, the two-version, 1962 original and the 1975 ballad of “Breaking Up Is Hard To Do,” the G-Rated theme of year-round romance inspired by a pin up culture of the late 1950s, and “Should’ve Never Let You Go,” that he duetted with his daughter, Dara.
Another fascinating story he would tell was how on one day he was on top then practically overnight, four mop-top Britains took over the charts and left him in relative obscurity, despite the hits. For several years he languished in uncertainty until an ironic call from another Englishman would skyrocket him right back to the top.
Elton John was already a huge fan of the Sedaka catalog. But in 1973 after a chance meeting at a party, Elton signed Neil to his new label, Rocket Records (named for the Elton John hit, “Rocket Man” that exploded onto the charts).
The Rocket team released the album, “Sedaka’s Back,” and the comeback once again ensued. The certified gold album gave Sedaka his first number one hit in twelve years, “Laughter In The Rain,” “Love Will Keep Us Together,” the chart-topper for Captain & Tennille, and “Bad Blood” with Elton doing background vocals. Incredible!
After one of the shows, I brought my Italian-born in-laws to meet him. They were excited about something I was unaware of. Neil Sedaka had several hits in Italy, including a #1 in 1963, “La Terza Luna”. Instead of the normal handshake, photo-op and “be on your way” meet and greet, Neil broke out into Italian songs, and they all sang them together in the green room. Priceless.
I tell this little quip on occasion because it’s hard to believe it actually happened to me.
On the day of one of Neil’s shows, I was in The Arcada’s main hallway, and a lady came running up to me. “I’ve been waiting my entire life to meet you, Mr. Sedaka,” she nervously said to me. I did not think she was serious, so I said, “I am sorry, my dear. I am not Neil Sedaka. I am Paul Anka!” I thought she would see that I was kidding. She didn’t.
“Oh my goodness, Mr. Anka! Would you still sign my album?” she asked.
So if you see a Neil Sedaka album autographed by Paul Anka on eBay, don’t pay more than $2 for it!
The last show we did together was in October of 2015. It was an amazing songs and stories solo show, just Neil and a grand piano. It was marvelous. The audience sang along to every song, and everyone was at the edge of their seats as he told his legendary stories.
After a long standing ovation upon his final note on the piano, he walked off, seemingly with tears in his eyes. I gave him a congratulatory hug after the incredible presentation.
He then looked down to the ground and held up his hands as if to be making bear claws.
“I just can’t do it anymore, Ron,” he said. His arthritis was really affecting his 60-plus year career. He wound up retiring from touring altogether in 2018.
Recently, Neil and is 19-year-old grandson Michael, performed the Sedaka hits as a duet on a piano, going viral on TikTok. It became an internet craze, landing the duo on “Good Day NY.” I tried very hard to possibly bring him back for a performance with his grandfather. They had no real plans of making appearances.
We lost Neil on February 27 at the age of 86. After knowing him, his energy, sincerity and pure love for the music and the fans, 86 was far too young for him to go. After over 500 songs written not only for himself, but also for countless others, including, “Where The Boys Are” for Connie Francis, his legacy will remain for many lifetimes.
I now take my mistaken identity as Neil Sedaka as a supreme compliment.