Neil Sedaka, the cherubic-voiced pianist and songwriter whose bright, meticulously crafted pop songs helped define the early years of rock ’n’ roll and later powered a 1970s comeback, died on Saturday. He was 86.
Mr. Sedaka first topped the charts in the late 1950s and early ’60s with buoyant hits like Oh! Carol, Calendar Girl and Breaking Up Is Hard to Do, marrying Brill Building craftsmanship to a boyish soprano that became instantly recognizable. After the British Invasion cooled his American popularity, he reinvented himself as a singer-songwriter, returning to prominence with lush, adult pop successes including Laughter in the Rain and Bad Blood.
A classically trained musician, he wrote or co-wrote dozens of hits for himself and others, proving a durable melodist in a volatile industry. Across two distinct eras, Mr. Sedaka’s polished tunes and emotional directness secured his place in pop history.
