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\n\tNeil Sedaka, the crooner and songwriter behind memorable hits like \u201cBreaking Up Is Hard to Do,\u201d \u201cCalendar Girl\u201d and \u201cLaughter in the Rain,\u201d died on Friday at age 86.<\/p>\n
\n\tSedaka\u2019s reps confirmed his death to Rolling Stone<\/em>. A cause of death was not revealed.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cOur family is devastated by the sudden passing of our beloved husband, father and grandfather, Neil Sedaka,\u201d the singer\u2019s family said in a statement. \u201cA 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.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tSedaka was one of the most successful performers and writers of the Sixties and Seventies, enjoying two distinct eras of success. In the early Sixties, his sugary pop and doo wop-inflected tunes like \u201cBreaking Up\u201d and \u201cOh! Carol\u201d dominated the pre-Beatlemania charts. A decade later, he returned as an adult contemporary star with hits like \u201cLaughter in the Rain\u201d and \u201cBad Blood.\u201d<\/p>\n