Neil Sedaka, Who Wrote Hits Including ‘Calendar Girl’ and ‘Laughter in the Rain,’ Dead at 86

Legendary singer-songwriter Neil Sedaka died on Friday, February 27.

“Our family is devastated by the sudden passing of our beloved husband, father and grandfather, Neil Sedaka,” the Sedaka family said in a statement to TMZ. “A true rock and roll legend, an inspiration to millions, but most importantly, at least to those of us who were lucky enough to know him, an incredible human being who will be deeply missed.”

As Closer previously reported, he was taken to the hospital in an ambulance at around 8 a.m. on Friday.

He was 86 years old.

Born in Brooklyn, Sedaka had several No. 1 hits in the 1960s and 70s, including “Calendar Girl,” “Breaking Up is Hard to Do,” “Laughter in the Rain” and “Bad Blood.” The five-time Grammy nominee was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1983.

He’s appeared on TV with cameos in King of Queens and The Carol Burnett Show, and he also acted as a guest judge in the second season of American Idol.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Leba Strassberg, their two adult children, daughter Dara, a 62-year-old vocalist, and son Marc, a 59-year-old screenwriter, as well as grandson Michael and twin granddaughters Charlotte and Amanda.