Neil Sedaka cause of death revealed as heart disease, kidney failure
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Neil Sedaka’s cause of death has been announced.
The legendary singer-songwriter died of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, with kidney failure listed as a contributing factor, according to his death certificate obtained by Fox News Digital.
Atherosclerosis is the buildup of fat and cholesterol in a person’s arteries. According to experts, this accumulation, called plaque, narrows the arteries and prevents blood from flowing more easily. Mayo Clinic. Sometimes the plaque can break open, causing blood clots.
Sedaka died on February 27 at the age of 86.
MUSIC LEGEND NEIL SEDAKA DIES AT THE AGE OF 86
Neil Sedaka’s cause of death has been announced. (Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
“Our family is devastated by the sudden death of our beloved husband, father and grandfather,” his family said in a statement to Fox News Digital. he said. “A true rock and roll legend, an inspiration to millions, but most importantly, an incredible person who will be deeply missed, at least for those of us who were lucky enough to know him.”
Sedaka died after being hospitalized on the morning of February 27.
West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station staff told Fox News Digital that deputies responded around 8 a.m. “regarding a medical request and a patient male adult was transported to a local hospital.”
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Neil Sedaka died on February 27. (Disney General Entertainment Content via ABC Photo Archives/Getty Images)
Sedaka first rose to fame in the 1950s and ’60s with hits such as “Oh Carol,” “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do” and “Next Door to an Angel” and is known as one of the original creators of the “Brill Building” sound, a subgenre of pop music.
During this time, he and partner Howard Greenfield also wrote hit songs for other artists, such as “Stupid Cupid” and “Where the Boys Are” for Connie Francis and “Love Will Keep Us Together” for Captain & Tennille.
His popularity began to wane as The Beatles changed the “direction of American music,” according to the musician’s website, but Sedaka’s three albums in the early 1970s caught the attention of Grammy Award-winning singer Elton John, who signed him to his record label, Rocket Records.
“It was like Elvis coming in and giving us the chance to release his records,” John was quoted as saying at the time, according to the website. “We couldn’t believe our luck.”
Elton John signs Neil Sedaka to his record label. (Michael Putland/Getty Images)
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Neil Sedaka is survived by his wife, Leba, and two children, Dara and Marc. (Central Press/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
He recorded five albums from 1972 to 1976. These included hits such as “Standing on the Inside”, “That’s Where the Music Takes Me” and “Our Last Song Together”, about her separation from Greenfield, with whom she began writing songs when Sedaka was only 13 and Greenfield was 16.
Sedaka has been honored with six Grammy Award nominations throughout his career. He was later inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, but the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame got rid of him despite a fan petition.
In 2016, Sedaka released her 22nd studio album, “I Do It for Applause”, which she described as “the culmination of sixty-four years of writing”.
“This is a gift I was born with,” he said on his website. “My main goal is always to top the last collection, raise the bar and reinvent Neil Sedaka.”
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Fox News Digital’s Larry Fink, Lori Bashian and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
