And so, farewell, another 1970s legend...
Mr Neil Sedaka, one of the most unlikely of pop stars - definitely no heartthrob - yet one of the most talented hitmakers of his generation, has tinkled his last ivories and joined a growing rosta of talent gracing "The Crooners' Stage" at the Fabulon Tiki Lounge.
His dominance of the music scene in the 50s, 60s and 70s was a phenomenon. As a songwriter (of the "Brill Building" school), he gave Captain & Tennille their signature tune Love Will Keep Us Together, he wrote Solitaire for The Carpenters (a hit here for Andy Williams), (Is This the Way to) Amarillo that was a huge hit for Tony Christie, Connie Francis's Stupid Cupid and her iconic "gay standard" Where the Boys Are, Eruption's One Way Ticket, and the English-language lyrics for Abba's first hit Ring Ring.
Among his own classic hits were Oh! Carol, Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen, Breaking Up Is Hard to Do, Calendar Girl...
...and these:
We had the great pleasure of seeing him hold the 40,000-strong crowd at Proms in the Park in the palm of his hand back in 2010, and enjoyed every moment.
He's a great loss.
RIP, Neil Sedaka (13th March 1939 – 27th February 2026)
