Neil signs with Elton John's Rocket Records, "Laughter in the Rain" hits #1 on the charts, and "Love Will Keep Us Together" becomes a hit for Captain and Tennille.
“Laughter in The Rain” (#1)
“Love Will Keep Us Together,” a hit for Captain and Tennille
Signs with Rocket Records
Neil releases Emergence, plays The Bitter End in New York, and begins collaboration with Phil Cody.
Releases Emergence
Plays at the Bitter End in New York
Begins collaboration with Phil Cody
On October 16 Neil's son Marc is born.
On October 16 Neil’s son Marc is born.
"Alice In Wonderland" reaches #12 on the chars, and on June 26 Neil's daughter Dara is born.
“Alice in Wonderland” (#12).
June 26 Daughter Dara is born.
"Breaking Up Is Hard To Do" becomes Neil's first #1 record and he garners a Grammy Nomination for it (Best Rock and Roll Recording), "Next Door To An Angel" reaches #5 on the charts, and he appears on The Ed Sullivan Show. On September 11 neil marries Leba Strassberg.
September 11 Neil marries Leba Strassberg
“Breaking Up Is Hard To Do” (#1), first Number One record
Grammy Nomination, Best Rock and Roll Recording for “Breaking Up Is Hard To Do”
“Next Door To An Angel” (#5)
Appears on The Ed Sullivan Show
“Where the Boys Are” becomes a hit for Connie Francis, which she also sings in the movie of the same name, “Calendar Girl” reaches #4 on the charts, “Little Devil” #11, and “Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen” #6.
“Where the Boys Are,” becomes a hit for Connie Francis, which she also sings in the movie of the same name
“Calendar Girl” (#4)
“Little Devil” (#11)
“Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen” (#6)
Neil receives a Grammy nomination for Best Performance by a Top 40 Artist, he signs with RCA as a recording artist, "Oh! Carol" charts at #9, "I Go Ape" at #42, and "The Diary at #14. He has his first overseas tour in Brazil and his first live performance is at The Smart Spot, a club in Haddonfield, NJ.
Grammy Nomination, Best Performance by a ‘Top 40’ Artist
“The Diary” (#14)
“I Go Ape” (#42)
“Oh! Carol” (#9)
Signs with RCA as a recording artist
First live performance at The Smart Spot, a club in Haddonfield, NJ
First overseas tour in Brazil
“Stupid Cupid” is a hit for Connie Francis. Neil plays the piano at the session, and it's his first international hit as a songwriter. It reaches #17 on the official US Billboard chart. Neil and Howie Greenfield sign contract with Aldon Records as songwriters at the Brill Building. He leaves the group The Tokens and appears on American Bandstand singing "Ring a Rockin' Music."
“Stupid Cupid” is a hit for Connie Francis. Neil plays the piano at the session, and it’s his first international hit as a songwriter. It reaches #17 on the official US Billboard chart.
With Howie Greenfield, signs contract with publishers Al Nevins and Don Kirshner (Aldon Records) as songwriters at the Brill Building (“Tin Pan Alley”).
Appearance on American Bandstand, sings “Ring a Rockin’ Music”
Leaves the group The Tokens
Neil records two songs as a soloist for Decca Records—“Laura Lee” and “Snowtime”—and appears for first time on television show in New Haven, CT.
Records two songs as a soloist for Decca Records: “Laura Lee” and “Snowtime”
Appears for first time on television show in New Haven, CT
Neil is selected as one of the best seven NY high school classical pianists by Arthur Rubinstein for WQXR, the classical radio station, while a senior at Abraham Lincoln High School. He graduates from Lincoln High School and enrolls at the Julliard School.
Selected one of the best seven NY high school classical pianists by Arthur Rubinstein for WQXR, the classical radio station, while a senior at Abraham Lincoln High School
Graduates from Lincoln High School
Enrolls at the Julliard School
