Category Archives Timeline

Neil releases The Real Neil, an acoustic collection of new songs and a few classics.

The launch of NeilSedaka.com

May 2012

Imagine Publishing releases Dinosaur Pet, a children’s book illustrated by Tom Bowers, based on Neil’s 1961 hit single “Calendar Girl.” Neil’s son Marc adapted the lyric. Included exclusively with the book is a three song CD containing two brand new Sedaka songs, “She Moved Away” and “The Tooth Fairy,” composed specifically for this book. “Dinosaur Pet” peaked at #3 on The New York Times Bestsellers List.

November 4

Neil appeared on Elaine Paige’s 21st solo album entitled Elaine Paige & Friends. Produced by Grammy Award Winner Phil Ramone, the album features a duet with Neil and Elaine on the chart-topper by Bread “Make It With You.”

October 8

Neil was honored by The Variety Club with their prestigious Silver Heart Award, in recognition of Neil’s “Outstanding contribution to the world of Music and Entertainment.”

October

Neil recorded his two symphonic compositions “Joie De Vivre” and “Manhattan Intermezzo” with The London Philharmonic.

September 

Imagine Publishing releases Waking Up Is Hard To Do, a children’s book illustrated by Daniel Miyares, based on the title song of Neil’s children’s album. Included exclusively with the book is a three song CD containing two brand new Sedaka songs, “Sing” and “Lighting Jim,” composed specifically for this book.

May 21

Neil receives The Special International Award from The Ivors.

March 4

Laughter in the Rain by Philip Norman opens at the Churchill Theater in Bromley and begins a tour throughout the UK. Laughter in the Rain is a musical based on the rise, fall, and rise again of Neil Sedaka, featuring many of Neil’s classic hits.

January 26

Razor and Tie releases The Music of My Life.

June 22

Universal UK releases The Music of My Life and it debuts #15 on the Official UK Album Chart.

In conjunction with the release of the album, Neil performs 10 sold out performances in the UK.

The Music of My Life is a collection of brand new Sedaka songs, including Neil’s first ever Salsa song, “Do You Remember?”, produced by David Foster.

January 6

Neil releases Waking Up is Hard to Do, in the United States. Inspired by his grandchildren, Waking Up is Hard to Do is a collection of Neil Sedaka Hits that have been reinvented as children’s songs.

October 7

Neil releases The Miracle of Christmas, in the United States and appears on The Bonnie Hunt Show.

April 29

Neil kicks off his Australia Tour in Adelaide.

February

Neil is inducted into The Hit Parade Hall of Fame, in its inaugural year. Other inductees included The Beatles, Neil Diamond, The Four Seasons, Bobby Darin, and Connie Francis.

October 26

Neil Sedaka: 50 Years of Hits – Tribute in honor of Neil’s 50^th Anniversary. Natalie Cole, Clay Aiken, Connie Francis, David Foster, Dion, Paul Shaffer, and many more came to pay tribute to Neil at Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center, New York City.

September 13

Neil premieres “Joie De Vivre,” his first classical symphonic piece with The Kansas City Symphony, conducted by Lee Holdridge.

April 30

Neil is honored by The New York Pops at Carnegie Hall, in honor of his 50th Anniversary as a performer.

April 24

Neil releases The Definitive Collection, in the United States, debuts #22 on Billboard. In promotion of The Definitive Collection, Neil makes appearances on The Today Show and The View, as well four performances at Joe’s Pub.

April 7

Neil receives the Guinness Award for “The Best Selling Single of the 21st Century in the UK” for “(Is This the Way to) Amarillo”. It was presented by David Roberts—editor of The Guinness World Records: British Hit Singles & Albums—during Neil’s performance at London’s Royal Albert Hall. It was filmed for the Eagle Rock DVD Release Neil Sedaka: The Show Goes On—Live at the Royal Albert Hall.

March 20

Neil releases The Very Best of Neil Sedaka: The Show Goes On in the United Kingdom, and debuts at #20 on the charts. Three weeks later BPI certifies it Gold.

February 1

Neil makes appearance at Carnegie Hall in New York, in tribute to Joni Mitchell. Neil performed Mitchell’s “Raised on Robbery”.

November 15

Neil releases his first Christmas CD The Miracle of Christmas, through QVC and Neil Sedaka Music. It features 12 original Christmas songs, as well as 10 Christmas standards, five of which were chosen by members of the QVC Audience.

September 9

Grandson, Michael Emerson, is born.

July 20

Neil’s musical, Breaking Up Is Hard To Do, debuts at the Capital Repertory Theatre in Albany, NY

March 31

Neil makes special guest appearance on the hit ABC sitcom, Jake In Progress, starring John Stamos.

March 21

The re-release of “Amarillo,” as recorded by Tony Christie, becomes the #1 single in the United Kingdom just one week after its release. It is now the highest-selling single of the year to-date.

January 6

Appears on ABC’s daytime hit The Tony Danza Show.

June 10

Presented with the Songwriters Hall of Fame—Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award. The ceremony aired on The Bravo Channel on July 18.

June 3

Starred in performance at Carnegie Hall in New York, in a tribute to Yiddish music, with The Klezmatics. Concerts also scheduled at the Mann Center in Philadelphia and the Ravinia Festival near Chicago in August.

May 25

Renee Olstead, 14- year-old star of CBS comedy Still Standing, releases self titled debut CD, co-produced by David Foster, which includes duet on “Breaking Up Is Hard To Do” with jazz pianist and singer, Peter Cincotti. Debuts at #4 on Billboard Top Jazz Album chart

April 19

Honored by the Actor’s Fund of America/NYSAE – Broadway Sings Sedaka.

March 16

Clay Aiken’s single with “Solitaire” released, reaching #4 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart, and #1 on Nielsen SoundScan Single Sales chart, where it remains for nine straight weeks.

March 5

“Love Will Keep Us Together” performed by Brigette Romanek in a scene in the hit film, Starsky & Hutch. The movie was released on DVD on July 20.

November 25

Release of 8-CD Box Set, Oh Carol: The Complete Recordings 1956-1966 (Bear Family Records).

October

Release of Brighton Beach Memories: Neil Sedaka Sings Yiddish.

August 2

Performance on Today Show Summer Concert Series Weekend Edition.

May

Release of collection of new songs, The Show Goes On.

April 29

Guest judge on the Fox Network’s American Idol.

March 31

Friars Club of NY Salute.

January 29

Granddaughters, Amanda and Charlotte, are born.

January 20

Re-release of Tales of Love.