Neil Sedaka Leaves a Legacy: Micky Dolenz Pays Tribute

Micky Dolenz has paid tribute to Neil Sedaka. The singer-songwriter, who delivered pop hits like “Breaking Up” and “Oh! Carol” in the early Sixties and experienced a second wave of success a decade later with chart-toppers “Laughter in the Rain” and “Bad Blood,” died on Friday at the age of 86.

Dolenz, the last surviving member of the Monkees, honored Sedaka following news of his death, calling the artist “one of those rare songwriters who could do it all.” Dolenz credited his collaborations with the band, writing, “Monkees fans will know his work, too – he co-wrote ‘When Love Comes Knocking at Your Door’ with Carole Bayer Sager, along with a few other songs that found their way into our world,” adding, “He also wrote ‘Rainy Jane’ for [Davy Jones’] solo record.”

Dolenz continued, “I’ll never forget when he showed up all the way from the East Coast to pay tribute to Davy at his LA-based memorial with a performance of ‘Love Comes Knocking at Your Door.’” Before ending his tribute, he wrote, “Sending my thoughts to his family, friends, and everyone who loved his music.”

Sedaka gained his first Top 10 hit in 1959 with “Oh! Carol,” then followed it up with notable tunes like “Stairway to Heaven” (not that one), “Calendar Girl,” “Little Devil,” and “Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen.” In 1962, “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do” rose to Number One, while “Next Door to an Angel” peaked at Number Five on the chart.

In the Seventies, Elton John signed Sedaka to his label and in 1974, Rocket Record Company released many of Sedaka’s songs from his U.K. era as compilation album Sedaka’s Back, which garnered a gold certification in the U.S. The following year, Sedaka’s return would be his biggest yet as the singer topped the Billboard Hot 100 twice as a solo artist, first with “Laughter in the Rain” and then with “Bad Blood,” while his new ballad version of “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do” peaked at Number Eight.

When speaking with Ocala Star Banner in 2006, Sedaka mused over how inspiration comes from all around us. “People, places, emotions, family, movies, plays — many, many different inspirations,” he said. “Many of the songs are inspired by listening to singers. ‘Love Will Keep Us Together’ was inspired by different singing styles. In the last 20 years, I’ve been writing my own lyrics, which is what I prefer. Nobody puts words in my mouth, it just comes from my soul.”