Neil Sedaka, pop hitmaker of the 1960s and 1970s, dies at 86

Neil Sedaka, the singer-songwriter behind a string of pop hits spanning seven decades, died Friday in Los Angeles. He was 86.

His death was confirmed by his publicist and family representatives. Sedaka was taken to a hospital Friday morning after not feeling well. He was transported by ambulance from his home around 8 a.m. local time following a medical request call to which paramedics responded. No cause of death was disclosed.

"Our family is devastated by the sudden passing of our beloved husband, father and grandfather, Neil Sedaka," his family said in a statement. "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."

Sedaka rose to prominence in the early 1960s as a songwriter and performer of teenage-oriented pop and doo-wop-inflected songs. His early hits included "Oh! Carol," "Calendar Girl," "Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen," and "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do." He also co-wrote songs for other artists, including "Stupid Cupid" and "Where the Boys Are" for Connie Francis, and later "Love Will Keep Us Together" for the Captain and Tennille.

After a period of reduced commercial activity, Sedaka experienced a career resurgence in the mid-1970s as an adult contemporary artist. Hits from that era included "Laughter in the Rain" and "Bad Blood." He was a founding member of the Tokens in the late 1950s.

Over his career, Sedaka received five Grammy Award nominations. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1983. His work spanned from the pre-Beatles rock and roll era through multiple subsequent decades of popular music.