It's been two weeks since the world lost Neil Sedaka at the age of 86. However, we've finally learned what led to the singer-songwriter's passing.
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According to Sedaka's death certificate, which was obtained by the New York Post, Sedaka died of "atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, with kidney failure listed as a contributing factor."
"The American Heart Association describes the condition as the leading cause of death worldwide, resulting from the accumulation of fats, cholesterol and plaque in the arteries," People reported.
Shortly after Sedaka's passing, his family released a statement to People.
"Our family is devastated by the sudden passing of our beloved husband, father and grandfather, Neil Sedaka," they wrote. "A true rock and roll legend, an inspiration to millions, but most importantly, at least to those of us who were lucky enough to know him, an incredible human being who will be deeply missed."
Sedaka first hit the music scene in the 1950s. His early hits included "Oh! Carol," and "Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen." Nevertheless, in a career that spanned over 60 years, Sedaka amassed countless hits and fan favorites, including "Laughter in the Rain," which was a huge success during the 70s.
Neil Sedaka's Music Is Still Widely Popular
Despite most of his music catalogue dating back more than 70 years, Neil Sedaka is still a highly popular artist. According to Spotify, his music is streamed almost 1.9 million times per month. If you factor in Apple Music and Amazon Music listeners, that number is likely closer to the 5 million mark.
"Laughter in the Rain" is Sedaka's most successful track on Spotify, having been streamed on 107.9 million occasions. "Oh! Carol" is second with over 101 million hits, while "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do" sits third with 101 million streams.
Sedaka's last album came out in 2023, titled "Neil Sedaka And The Tokens." However, as far as streaming numbers, the album struggled, with "I Love My Baby" leading the way with 43,073 hits.
Still, it's great to see that Sedaka's music is standing the test of time. Even now, people are still tuning into some of his early work. It's a testament to his talent and impact on music.
He will be missed.
