Who was/is Neil Sedaka ? - CDs, Vinyl LPs, DVD and more

Neil Sedaka

There are very few people in show business who have reached the status that Neil Sedaka has attained. Who else has achieved comparable success as a singer, songwriter, and pianist? He shocked skeptics who thought his career was over in 1966 only to become even bigger in the next decade. And if that isn't enough, he took a song of his that sold millions in the 60s and re-recorded it as a ballad, giving it a brand new life as well as making it a chart topping record. There is not one other person who can claim this amazing achievement.

It all began when the eighty-four pound Eleanor Appel (born October 31, 1916) met Mac Sedaka (1913-1981), a New York City taxi driver, at a social club in Brooklyn when she was all of seventeen-years-old. While Eleanor danced with someone else, Mac cut in. He nicknamed her Skinny as they danced the night away. He even drove her home in his Checker Cab. Despite their regular dating, Eleanor was not in love with Mac. Her brother Sydney made it clear that Mac was in love with her and had a steady job. Mac was a Sephardic Jew and Eleanor, an Ashkenazic. She called his people the black Jews. They married on July 4th 1936. It was not the marriage of the century...or the year. Mac's new brother-in-law and wife even accompanied the newlyweds on their honeymoon. They settled down on Voorhies Avenue in Brooklyn. When Neil's sister, Ronnie, was born on September 4, 1937, the Voorhies Avenue apartment was just too small. Mac's parents, Marie and Nisim, insisted they join them in a two-room apartment with ten other family members on the second floor of 3260 Coney Island Avenue in Brooklyn, New York. Eleanor was warned against getting pregnant again for health reasons, but despite the warnings, Neil entered the world on March 13, 1939. The immediate Sedaka family all lived together in one room. The closeness resulted in lots of love for children, but there was still no deep love for Mac. Eleanor controlled the family and made all the decisions.

There was always music in the house ... perhaps not always pleasing as his grandmother carted out the Turkish records she had saved from the old country. It was Aunt Molly's American discs that really made an impression on little Neil. As early as three, Neil thrived on listening to the Moylan Sisters. It was the music of World War II with artists like the Andrews Sisters and the Big Bands like Glenn Miller that changed Neil's whole life. Songs like Chattanooga Choo Choobecame his favorites. He even made up his own little shows with Ronnie where they imitated the Andrews Sisters. Ronnie was his true companion. He didn't have other boys his own age for friends like most kids. All he had was his mother (who never let him do anything for himself), his aunts and his sister. By the first grade he was known as a sissy. His father worked long hours driving his cab. He tried to make time for Neil and did, but it was tough. By 1946 Neil began listening to a disc jockey named Martin Bloch where he first heard Les Paul and Mary Ford, who were to have a major impact on Neil's overdubbing style on his own records. He also heard and imitated Johnnie Ray. When he got into the second grade school choir, led by a Mrs. Glantz, his talent was evident--hence Mrs. Glantz's suggestion that he take up piano. Eleanor Sedaka took a part-time job in order to purchase a second hand piano on which her eight-year-old could take lessons with a local teacher named Murray Newman.

Ronnie was required to take lessons as well. It was Neil, however, who leaped into Book Six of the John Thompson series within six months. These lessons led to an audition at the prestigious Juilliard School in Manhattan, where Neil was given a piano scholarship and began studying under the auspices of Edgar Roberts in 1947. He practiced four hours a day and performed his first concert on a Saturday with an original composition from Miss Shaeffer's Literature and Materials of Music class. As his thirteenth birthday approached, Eleanor frantically rushed Neil to Hebrew school so he could be Bar Mitzvahed in Jewish tradition. While in Hebrew school, the cantor discovered Neil's incredible voice and asked him to perform at every Saturday class. His performance at his Bar Mitzvah was a huge success with not a dry eye in the temple! As he entered the seventh and eighth grades in public school, he played classical piano for the other kids, but he was not who they wanted at parties. It was then that he decided to learn the pop hits of the day in order to become more popular. While in his first year at Lincoln High School, Neil was asked by a teacher named Bill Medine if he would like to be the music camp counselor at a summer camp he owned called Echo Park in Lake George, New York. Neil would be paid and get the whole summer at camp for free. He accepted and not only helped put on standard musicals, but also wrote original songs that are still being performed there today!

On October 11, 1952, Neil was approached by Howard Greenfield (born March 15, 1936), who lived in the same building. Howie's mother, Ella, had heard Neil practicing in the lobby at the Kenmore Lake Hotel and was so impressed that she insisted her son contact him about collaborating on a song. 

Neil Sedaka The Complete - 1956-1966 (8-CD)Read more at: https://www.bear-family.com/sedaka-neil-the-complete-1956-1966-8-cd.html
Copyright © Bear Family Records

Copyright © Bear Family Records®. Copying, also of extracts, or any other form of reproduction, including the adaptation into electronic data bases and copying onto any data mediums, in English or in any other language is permissible only and exclusively with the written consent of Bear Family Records® GmbH.

More information about Neil Sedaka on Wikipedia.org

Close filters
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
1 of 2
No results were found for the filter!
Hint!
NEW
Gold (3-CD)
Neil Sedaka: Gold (3-CD) Art-Nr.: CDCRIM671

This article is deleted and can no longer be ordered!

(Sony Music/Crimson) 47 tracks 1959-1972!***** 6-panel digisleeve Sony Music presents the only Neil Sedaka compilation you will ever need. Featuring 47 tracks, this 3CD release celebrates Neil's early success in rock and roll. Neil, a...
$11.26 $19.18
Hint!
Neil Sedaka With The Tokens (LP)
Neil Sedaka: Neil Sedaka With The Tokens (LP) Art-Nr.: LPGUY12004

Ready to ship today, delivery time** appr. 1-3 workdays

(CP) 18 tracks Singing groups come in all sizes and styles,with unique names and special sounds.Some groups are flash-in-the-pans, here today and gone from the record scene tomorrow. Some groups are one-timers, with only one hit to their...
$15.23 $20.31
I Grandi Successi Originali (2-CD)
Neil Sedaka: I Grandi Successi Originali (2-CD) Art-Nr.: CDBMG99262

Ready to ship today, delivery time** appr. 1-3 workdays

(BMG Italy) 24 Tracks - RCA Victor 1961-66 - Sedaka sings in Italian language!
$18.29 $33.89
Let The Good Times In (2-CD)
Neil Sedaka: Let The Good Times In (2-CD) Art-Nr.: CDNSW555

This article is deleted and can no longer be ordered!

(2001/NSW) 55 unreleased, rare and lost tracks 1958-1971
$30.50 $33.89
Sings Little Devil And His Other Hits (CD)
Neil Sedaka: Sings Little Devil And His Other Hits (CD) Art-Nr.: CD3931032

Item has to be restocked

(Magic) 24 tracks 1958 -1962 - 96k/24-bit mastering
$16.92
The Complete - 1956-1966 (8-CD Deluxe Box Set)
Neil Sedaka: The Complete - 1956-1966 (8-CD Deluxe Box Set) Art-Nr.: BCD16535

Ready to ship today, delivery time** appr. 1-3 workdays

8-CD Box (LP-size) with 108-page book, 220 tracks, playing time 574:33 minutes. Neil Sedaka is one of the rare geniuses of popular music, and his golden decade was from 1956 until 1966. He wrote hit songs for Connie Francis ( Stupid...
$565.79
Best (CD, Japan)
Neil Sedaka: Best (CD, Japan) Art-Nr.: CDB23D41061

Ready to ship today, delivery time** appr. 1-3 workdays

(BMG Japan) 20 Tracks, 1958-63!
$27.46 $33.89
Neil Sedaka (Japan CD)
Neil Sedaka: Neil Sedaka (Japan CD) Art-Nr.: CDR32P1013

Ready to ship today, delivery time** appr. 1-3 workdays

(1986/BMG Japan) 14 tracks, original RCA, 10-page booklet incl. complete lyrics. Greatest hits compilation in brilliant quality incl. a song in Japanese language!
$16.25 $22.58
The Real... (3-CD)
Neil Sedaka: The Real... (3-CD) Art-Nr.: CDSNY97257

Item has to be restocked

(2014/SONY) 51 tracks
$11.26 $16.92
The Definitive Collection (1991-2006)(US)
Neil Sedaka: The Definitive Collection (1991-2006)(US) Art-Nr.: CDRAZ82968

Item has to be restocked

(2007/RAZOR&TIE) 22 tracks with 12 page booklet; überragender Querschnitt des späteren Neil Sedaka mit vielen Raritäten und Erstveröffentlichungen. Top Sound Highlight !sk
$20.26
All-Time Greatest Hits Vol.2 (CD)
Neil Sedaka: All-Time Greatest Hits Vol.2 (CD) Art-Nr.: CDRCA2406

Ready to ship today, delivery time** appr. 1-3 workdays

​(1991/RCA BMG) 21 Tracks incl. some rarities!
$11.85 $20.31
Tuneweaver (CD)
Neil Sedaka: Tuneweaver (CD) Art-Nr.: CDVSD5549

the very last 2 available
Ready to ship today, delivery time** appr. 1-3 workdays

​(1991/Varèse Sarabande) 20 Tracks - Featuring 'The Miracle Song' and new renditions of his classic hits!
$18.97 $23.71
Let's Go Steady Again (LP)
Neil Sedaka: Let's Go Steady Again (LP) Art-Nr.: LPR133511

Ready to ship today, delivery time** appr. 1-3 workdays

(1976/RCA) 10 tracks, rare 1976 RCA pressing-top sound (small cut out) - Originally sealed LP album
$9.03 $20.31
Legends In Music (2-CD)
Neil Sedaka: Legends In Music (2-CD) Art-Nr.: CD059905

only 1x still available
Ready to ship today, delivery time** appr. 1-3 workdays

(Weton Records) 24 tracks
$13.43 $19.18
Calendar Girl - 25 Hits & Favorites (CD)
Neil Sedaka: Calendar Girl - 25 Hits & Favorites (CD) Art-Nr.: CD062300

the very last 2 available
Ready to ship today, delivery time** appr. 1-3 workdays

(IMC Music) 25 tracks
$13.54 $16.92
Laughter In The Rain
Neil Sedaka: Laughter In The Rain Art-Nr.: CD5326060

Item has to be restocked

(2010/UNIVERSAL UK) 24 tracks 1972-2009
$14.66
The Best Of Neil Sedaka (Original Hit Recordings) (CD)
Neil Sedaka: The Best Of Neil Sedaka (Original Hit... Art-Nr.: CDPA777

This article is deleted and can no longer be ordered!

​(2001/Paradiso - BMG) 25 tracks
$18.05
The Show Goes On - new recordings
Neil Sedaka: The Show Goes On - new recordings Art-Nr.: CDR0704

This article is deleted and can no longer be ordered!

(2003/RAJON) 12 tracks, recorded 2003
$17.99
Music Of My Life (new album!)
Neil Sedaka: Music Of My Life (new album!) Art-Nr.: CDRAZ83079

Item has to be restocked

(2010/RAZOR & TIE) 12 tracks (44:44)
$11.26 $16.69
All-Time Greatest Hits Vol.1 (CD)
Neil Sedaka: All-Time Greatest Hits Vol.1 (CD) Art-Nr.: CDRCA6876

This article is deleted and can no longer be ordered!

RCA USA - 13 tracks
$11.26 $16.92
Laughter In The Rain - The Best Of Neil Sedaka 1974-1980 (CD)
Neil Sedaka: Laughter In The Rain - The Best Of Neil Sedaka... Art-Nr.: CDVAR5539

This article is deleted and can no longer be ordered!

CD on VARESE SARABANDE RECORDS by Neil Sedaka - Laughter In The Rain - The Best Of Neil Sedaka 1974-19801
$14.66
Rye Beach NY, June 12th 1993 (CD)
Neil Sedaka: Rye Beach NY, June 12th 1993 (CD) Art-Nr.: CDAC8039

Item has to be restocked

(2016/Air Cuts) 15 Tracks - Historic Live FM radio broadcast!
$14.66
Emergence - Solitaire (2-CD)
Neil Sedaka: Emergence - Solitaire (2-CD) Art-Nr.: CDBGO840

Item has to be restocked

(Beat Goes On-BGO) 25 Tracks - Neil Sedaka's two 70's comeback albums! From being a 50's and 60's teen star, Sedaka began to concentrate on songwriting as the 60's wore on. His songs have been recorded by artists from Abba to Elvis...
$20.31
Greatest Hits (CD)
Neil Sedaka: Greatest Hits (CD) Art-Nr.: CD917126

Ready to ship today, delivery time** appr. 1-3 workdays

(BMG Records) 14 tracks
$11.26
Neil Sedaka (CD)
Neil Sedaka: Neil Sedaka (CD) Art-Nr.: CD950546

the very last 2 available
Ready to ship today, delivery time** appr. 1-3 workdays

(BMG Music) 8 tracks
$7.89 $11.26
1 of 2