Entertainment
Neil Sedaka: An appreciation – CBS News
Neil Sedaka was one of America’s most popular singer-songwriters, twice!
As a boy growing up in Brooklyn, his talent was hard to miss. “I was a child prodigy,” he told “Sunday Morning” in 2020. “I started at nine years old. Got a scholarship to the prep school of Julliard.”
When he was 13, he met a kid in his apartment building named Howard Greenfield. He’d found his lyricist, and they quickly hit it big.
When we met six years ago, Sedaka told me about the song that made him a star, “Oh, Carol,” inspired by his relationship with high school classmate Carole King: “I did date Carole King for about two minutes,” he laughed. “Yes. I had a crush on Carole King.”
In the next few years, Sedaka composed-and performed one hit teen anthem after another, including “Calendar Girl” and “Stupid Cupid,”
Asked if there is a throughline as to what makes songs popular, Sedaka replied, “It always goes back to, ‘Oh, that song could be my life. That’s my story.'”
He landed his first #1 single in 1962, “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do.”
Neil Sedaka had become a superstar. Between 1958 and 1963, he sold 40 million records “I pushed three buttons on my car radio, and I heard ‘Oh Carol’ on three stations at the same time,” he said.
And then, suddenly it was over. In 1963, a new group arrived: The Beatles. Sedaka’s brand of bouncy pop quickly fell out of favor. He’d become a has-been at age 24. For 13 years, he was mostly forgotten. “I had 13 years of being off the charts – no plays, nothing,” he said.
And then, one night, at a party in England, he met a fellow musician named Elton John. “He said, ‘You know, I could make you a star again.'”
In 1974, John’s record company released a new album called “Sedaka’s Back.” That record included his first #1 hit in 12 years: “Laughter in the Rain.”
But even that song wasn’t as big a hit as the one recorded by the Captain and Tenille: “Love Will Keep Us Together.”
“I went from making $50,000 a year in 1974, to $6 million a year in 1975, with one record, one LP, and one song,” he said.
The second act of Sedaka’s career had begun. If you had any doubt, you just had to listen closely. In 1976, a new, slower version of “Breaking Up is Hard to Do” hit the charts again. “I think I’m the only person who did the same song twice, in a different tempo, number one both times,” he said.
On Friday, after a 70-year career, Neil Sedaka died at age 86. To him, making a song was a joyful, even mystical act.
“I think you’re chosen spiritually at that particular moment,” he said, “and you’d better sit very quietly, because you can actually feel the song being written by itself. And the song passes through your throat and through your fingers. It’s an extraordinary feeling!”
Story produced by Gabriel Falcon. Editor: Jennifer Falk.
Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky have been together for many years, and the actor has now shared what truly keeps their marriage strong.
The couple got married in Australia in December 2010, just months after they first met through Chris’ talent agent.
Since then, they have built a life together while raising three children and balancing busy careers.
Chris recently explained that honesty plays a big role in their relationship.
He said Elsa always tells him the truth, no matter what and while other people might praise his work, Elsa will be honest if something does not work.
He trusts her because she knows him deeply and understands what he is capable of.
Elsa agrees with this approach and says she never pretends to like something just to be kind.
Chris shared that her honest opinions help him not only in his marriage but also in his acting career, as he often relies on her feedback when deciding which projects feel right.
The couple share a daughter, India, and twin sons, Sasha and Tristan. Chris has said his children are not impressed by fame.
The star focuses on teaching them hard work and strong values, lessons he learned growing up.
For Chris, love, truth and respect matter more than anything else.
Actor Shia LaBeouf has been ordered to go to rehab after getting arrested on February 17 during Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
He was involved in a fight with two men and reportedly used homophobic slurs, according to Page Six.
He now faces three misdemeanor battery charges.
At a recent court hearing, Judge Simone Levine said she was not sure LaBeouf is serious about his alcohol problems.
She, however, denied his request to travel to Rome and set a $100,000 bond. He must also take drug tests and enter rehab.
Sources say the punishment could let him do rehab online, as they described LaBeouf as someone who can act like he is serious about recovery, even though he does not believe he has an addiction.
In a recent interview, he said his behaviour was because of a “small man complex” and not alcohol.
He added, “It’s not nice to hurt people ever. People got hurt. I got to deal with that.”
LaBeouf separated from his wife Mia Goth last year, and sources say she wants him to get help.
Friends warn that his drinking could lead to serious problems, as his Hollywood future is uncertain and he returns to court on March 19.
When We Were Young Festival is hitting pause this year.
Organizers of the Las Vegas-based emo and pop-punk fest announced via Instagram on February 27 that the event will take 2026 off — but emphasised the break is only temporary.
“To our When We Were Young Family,” the statement began. “The songs, the memories, the moments – none of it exists without you. After an unforgettable run in Las Vegas, we’ve decided to take 2026 off to give this festival the care it deserves and to make sure what comes next feels just as special as what came before.”
While no specific reason was given for the hiatus, fans were reassured the festival isn’t going anywhere. “When We Were Young Festival will return to Las Vegas in October 2027… This isn’t goodbye – it’s just a pause. We’ll see you in 2027.”
Since launching in 2022, the Live Nation-produced event has become a nostalgic pilgrimage for millennial music lovers, taking over the Las Vegas Festival Grounds each October. Past headliners have included Green Day, Blink-182, My Chemical Romance and the Killers.
The 2025 edition featured Blink-182 and a reunited Panic! at the Disco, marking a rare return following the band’s 2023 split. In 2024, My Chemical Romance delivered a full performance of The Black Parade, alongside a stacked lineup of scene favourites.
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