Neil Sedaka, who has been married to the love of his life for over 61 years, doesn’t have much experience to claim that “Breaking Up is Hard to Do.”

The attractive “down doobie do down down” singer who captivated hearts with his songs is gushing with love for his grandkids and gushing that he was “born married to his wife.”

Neil Sedaka is impossible to dislike. He’s given us so much. For many years, the amazing singer has captivated us with his voice and personality.

Neil Sedaka, a natural genius who has written and sung some of the most memorable songs in music history, admitted as a youngster that he was ashamed to perform in front of an audience.

“I knew I had a remarkable voice, but I was embarrassed because it was so high,” Sedaka said. “But when I sang at my bar mitzvah, the rabbi was in tears.”

When he was only 13, the classically trained pianist, who attended Julliard’s Preparatory for Children on Saturdays, formed a partnership with 16-year-old Howard Greenfield, and together they composed songs for Sedaka’s school band, the Linc-Tones, a band that would later become the Tokens.

Working out of New York’s iconic Brill Building, the partnership went on to create chart-topping tunes for Sedaka, Captain & Tenille, and Connie Francis, including “Breaking Up is Hard to Do.”

“We had a cubicle with a piano and a bench, but there was no window.” “You only got a window room after you had a hit song,” Sedaka explained, adding that the couple earned $50 per week. “Every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., we’d write and then play what we’d written to record label executives.” It was difficult, but it was excellent training.”

He was the first person in the building to record his own music, and he was also the first to enter the top ten with his hit song “Oh! Carol” (1959), which was inspired by his high school lover Carole King.

Greenfield and Sedaka worked together until the mid-1970s, when Greenfield, who was openly gay, died of AIDS complications in 1986.

Sedaka, in the meantime, quit The Tokens at the age of 19 before the band reached its zenith of glory in 1961 with “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” and “Tonight I Fell in Love.”

His first three solo records did not chart, but one tune earned him a slot on American Bandstand with Dick Clark, and he quickly obtained a recording deal.

Sedaka’s first big hit, “The Diary,” which peaked at 14 on the Billboard Top 100 in 1958, was a song that drew inspiration from Connie Francis’ diary because he genuinely wanted “to look into that little book.” Sedaka’s fame was at an all-time high in 1960, when he recorded “Calendar Girl,” his sixth success in two years.

He married Leba Strassberg in 1962, whom he met while playing at the now-defunct Esther Manor resort in the Catskill Mountains of New York.

Leba’s mother Esther, who also co-owned the resort, was irate that a subpar musician was courting her daughter.

Despite Esther’s displeasure, the pair remained together despite having to cope with another interfering mother, Eleanor Sedaka.

Eleanor had previously admitted to riding rollercoasters when pregnant with him in the hopes of miscarrying, and she was also urging her son to pursue a career as a classical pianist rather than a pop star.

“She quickly changed her mind when I received a royalty check for $62,000 for “Stupid Cupid,” Sedaka explained, adding that he made the mistake of giving the money to his mother, who later controlled most of his rights as an artist, including his royalties and finances, along with her lover.

“My father knew about him and accepted him, so I did after the initial shock.” In a way, I understood it. My parents shared two rooms with nine other relatives; my father was frugal, but the other man lavished her with jewelry and furs and chauffeured her about.” “Only they were living the high life on my money,” he said. Hundreds of thousands of dollars were spent. I couldn’t even pay my taxes. My wife and I had to start over.”

Sedaka, who fired his mother’s partner, revealed that Eleanor nearly overdosed on sleeping pills “because she couldn’t stand seeing her son and her lover at odds. ” She said she had no idea they were wasting my money. I hadn’t spoken to her in a year.”

At the moment, his devoted wife takes over as his new manager.

Just as he was about to make some money, the Beatles arrived and derailed Sedaka’s career.

Though he continued to write music for others, his dwindling chart appeal in the United States prompted him to relocate Leba and their children, Dara and Marc, to London, the epicenter of hit creators.

“Well, I used to walk down the street and people would ask, ‘Didn’t you used to be Neil Sedaka?'” Sedaka remarked, referring to his fall from stardom. ‘Well, I’m still Neil Sedaka; you haven’t heard the last of me,’ I replied. I had to alter my approach. It was the early 1970s when I met a man named Elton John. “Have you ever heard of him?”

After meeting the singer of “I’m Still Standing” at a party in London, Sedaka claims that John’s previous record label, the Rocket Record Company, approached him.

And, as the name implies, Sedaka’s career exploded with the 1974 album “Sedaka’s Back”—the first of three albums with Elton John—and the singer was once again scoring singles in the United States.

He was admitted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1983, and he was later honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

He was a guest judge on American Idol in 2003, when season two runner-up Clay Aiken later recorded and released Sedaka’s 1972 song “Solitaire,” which became the best-selling single of 2004.

During COVID, Sedaka began posting short concerts on social media to keep fans amused, and on his 60th anniversary with Leba last September, he delivered a special concert with three songs he created for her. “I’d like to dedicate today’s mini-concert to my beautiful wife, Leba,” the touching homage begins. We will be commemorating our 60th anniversary in September. Here are three tracks composed specifically for Leba!”

Sedaka announced his arrival in the Cameo family in early May with a Facebook video. He expressed his eagerness to accept requests for birthdays, anniversaries, or any other special event where he can offer a personal greeting. He closed the brief movie with a few bars of “Breaking Up is Hard to Do,” and supporters applauded him. “I’ve been listening to your songs since I was a teenager, and I’m now 75 and love your music!” stated one. Please don’t give up!”

Another admirer left a touching letter to Neil, saying, “Dear Neil, your songs brighten up the day.” I sometimes find myself humming songs you composed… They seem to have become a part of me. Thank you for bringing joy to the world!”

While his music continues to offer delight to everyone who hears it, Sedaka is more concerned about his wife and family.

“I was born married…” If you’re fortunate enough to have a mate who does it for you, that’s a wonderful gift,” said Sedaka, a loving grandpa to three, including one pair of twins.

Dara (born 1963) is an actress and singer renowned for films such as Where the Boys Are, and Marc (born 1967) is a TV and film writer and editor.

Sedaka stated of his great career, “I could have been bigger, but I wasn’t controversial enough.” I didn’t use drugs or go to wrecking yards. There were no dramas in my personal life. I had skill and a desire for celebrity, and you can’t say I didn’t receive it.”

It’s amazing that Neil Sedaka and Leba have been married for so long, refusing to let celebrities split their lovely relationship.

He is a gifted musician whose music will undoubtedly affect future generations.