Neil Sedaka’s enduring love story with his wife of nearly 61 years is a testament to the power of commitment and friendship. Despite the ups and downs of life in the spotlight, Sedaka and his wife have remained steadfast in their commitment to each other, overcoming challenges and celebrating milestones together. Their love story is an inspiration to many and shows that true love knows no boundaries and can stand the test of time.
An iconic figure in the music industry, Neil Sedaka left an indelible mark on the world with his timeless melodies and soulful performances. From his early days as a shy child with a remarkable voice to his rise to fame as a celebrated musician, Sedak’s journey is one of talent, perseverance, and passion for his craft. His contributions to music history touched the hearts of millions and continue to resonate across generations.
Neil Sedaka has been married to his true love for nearly 61 years, so he doesn’t have much experience when it comes to “Breaking up is hard to do.”
The attractive “down doobie do down down” singer, who recently celebrated his 84th birthday and won hearts with his songs, is excited about his grandchildren and is extremely happy that he was “born in marriage with his wife.”
How could anyone love Neil Sedak? The extraordinary singer has blessed us with his voice and presence for many years. He gave us so much.
The naturally gifted Neil Sedaka has written and recorded some of the most memorable songs in music history. However, he once admitted that as a child he was shy about singing in public.
“I knew I had a remarkable voice, but I was embarrassed because it was so high,” Sedaka said. “But when I sang at the bar mitzvah, the rabbi was in tears.
A classically trained pianist enrolled in Julliard’s Preparatory for Children’s Saturday scholarship program at age 13, he teamed up with 16-year-old Howard Greenfield to write music for Sedaka’s school band, the Linc-Tones, which would eventually change its name to the Tokens.
The pair performed at New York’s iconic Brill Building and went on to record number-one singles such as Sedak’s “Breaking up is Hard to Do”, Captain & Tenille’s “Love will keep us together” and “Stupid Cupid”. ” by Connie Francis.
“We didn’t have a window, but our cubicle had a piano and a bench. Sedaka stated, ‘You only got a room with a window after you had a hit,'” referring to the couple’s $50 weekly salary. “We wrote every day from 9:00 to 5:00 p.m. and then we wrote for record company representatives. It was challenging, but the instruction was excellent.”
Inspired by his high school sweetheart, Carole King, he was the first person at the facility to record his own songs and became the first to have his hit “Oh! Carol” (1959) made the Top 10.
Greenfield, who was openly gay, worked with Sedaka until the mid-1970s. In 1986, Greenfield died of AIDS.
For his part, Sedaka left The Tokens at the age of 19, just before the group achieved their biggest success in 1961 with the songs “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” and “Tonight I Fell in Love”.
His first three solo albums failed to chart, but one song landed him an appearance on American Bandstand alongside Dick Clark, and he was signed to a record deal shortly after.
Sedaka really wanted to “look into that little book,” so he wrote “The Diary,” which became his first hit record and reached No. 14 on the Billboard Top 100 in 1958. The song was inspired by Connie Francis’ diary. With the release of “Calendar Girl,” Sedak’s sixth hit in two years, in 1960, his star power skyrocketed.
He met Leba Strassberg in 1962 while performing at the now-closed Esther Manor Resort in the Catskill Mountains of New York.
Leba’s mother, Esther, was a businesswoman who co-owned the resort, and she didn’t like her daughter being courted by a modest singer.
The couple put up with Eleanor Sedaka, another meddling mother, and stayed together despite Esther’s displeasure.
Eleanor, who previously admitted to riding a rollercoaster when expecting her child in the hope of a miscarriage, encouraged her child to become a classical pianist rather than a pop star.
“She soon changed her mind when I got a $62,000 license check for ‘Stupid Cupid.’ My father was a taxi driver and never made more than $10,000 a year,” Sedaka said. He also mentioned that he gave the money to his mother, who later shared control of most of his artistic rights, including money and royalties after he made the mistake of doing so.
“After the initial shock, I found out about him and accepted him, as did my father. In a way, I understood. My dad was quite thrifty, while the other man bought her jewelry and furs and took her in. My parents shared a two-room house with nine other relatives.” “They were the only ones living the high life on my money,” he said. They spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on them. I was unable to pay any taxes. I had to start over with my wife.”
Eleanor almost overdosed on sleeping pills “because she couldn’t stand her son and her lover being at odds,” Sedaka said, firing the mother’s boyfriend in the process. She claimed she didn’t know they were using my money. I kept quiet from her for a whole year.”
Around that time, his devoted wife took over the role of manager for him.
Sedaka was about to strike it rich when The Beatles appeared and caused a stir in the music world.
Although he was still writing songs for other people, he moved Leba and their two children, Dara and Marc, to London, the epicenter of hit-making, due to his declining popularity in the United States charts.
“Well, I’d walk down the street and people would say, ‘Weren’t you Neil Sedaka?'” Sedaka noted, alluding to his decline in fame. I replied, ‘Well, you haven’t heard the last of me; I’m still Neil Sedaka. I had to adapt my appearance. In the early 1970s, I met a man named Elton John. Have you heard of him?
Sedaka claimed he was approached to sign to John’s previous record label, Rocket Record Company, after meeting the “I’m Still Standing” singer at a party in London.
As the title suggests, Sedaka’s career took off after the release of “Sedaka’s Back”, the first of three albums he collaborated on with Elton John, in 1974. Soon after, the singer returned to the charts in the United States.
In addition to being elected to the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1983, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
During his 2003 appearance as a judge on American Idol, second-season runner-up Clay Aiken recorded and released Sedak’s 1972 ballad “Solitaire”, which became the top-charting single of 2004.
To keep his fans connected during COVID, Sedaka started posting short appearances on social media. In September last year, he recorded a special concert with three songs he wrote especially for Leba in honor of their 60th anniversary. The touching tribute is written as follows: “I would like to dedicate today’s mini-concert to my lovely wife Leba. In September we will celebrate our 60th anniversary. These three pieces were composed especially for Leba.”
Sedaka announced his arrival to the Cameo family in a video he shared on Facebook in early May. He mentioned how much he looks forward to requests for anniversaries, birthdays, and other significant events where he can deliver a heartfelt note. He ended the short video with a few bars of “Breaking Up is Hard to Do” to applause from his followers. One person commented: “I’ve been listening to your songs since I was a teenager and I love them! I am 75 years old.
Please don’t give up.
Many people can relate to this kind letter written by another fan: “Dear Neil, your songs brighten the day.” I often find myself humming the songs you wrote, almost as if they were ingrained in me. I am grateful for the happiness you offer to all.”
Although Sedak’s music still makes people happy, his main priorities are his wife and family.
“My husband and I were married at birth. It’s a wonderful gift to have a friend who takes care of everything for you,” said Sedaka, a loving grandfather of three, one of whom is a twin.
As for their children, Marc (b. 1967) works as a writer and editor for television and film, and Dara (b. 1963) is an actress and singer best known for films such as Where the Boys Are.
Sedaka stated, “I could have been bigger, but I wasn’t controversial enough,” in reference to his thriving career. I avoided accidents and drug use. Nothing dramatic happened in my personal life. You can’t say that I didn’t gain popularity because I was talented and wanted it.”
The fact that Neil Sedaka and Leba have been married for so long and haven’t let celebrities ruin their amazing love is very inspiring.
He is a truly gifted musician and his music will undoubtedly influence generations to come. We are grateful that you have shared your life and music with all of us. Which of his songs or performances is your favorite?
In conclusion, Neil Sedaka’s remarkable journey from a shy child with a remarkable voice to a famous musician and devoted family man is truly inspiring. Throughout his career, Sedaka has gifted the world with timeless music that continues to resonate with audiences of all ages. Despite personal and professional challenges, including financial problems and a changing musical landscape, Sedak’s unwavering dedication to his craft and abiding love for his wife and family have remained constant. As he continues to share his talents with the world, Sedak’s legacy as a talented musician and loving husband and grandfather will undoubtedly live on for generations to come. What is your favorite Neil Sedaka song or performance?