Neil Sedaka ‘Pops’ at the Phil

With a career spanning six decades, a rare feat in the entertainment world, Neil Sedaka never ceases to amaze. He has been called “One of the world’s most talented entertainers,” and has written, performed, produced and inspired countless songs that have become pop classics.

Sedaka will bring that talent to the Oklahoma City Civic Center this April.

Back in the day, Elton John decided to sign Neil to his up and coming record label, Rocket Records, and begin to re-introduce Neil to American audiences. The two albums he recorded for the Rocket label, Sedaka's Back in 1974 and The Hungry Years in 1975, both became top selling albums around the world.

His comeback was further heralded by two of his songs, Bad Blood and the quintessential Laughter in the Rain, both reaching the number one position on the music charts. Rolling Stone Magazine hailed Sedaka as "the new phenomenon." The song Breaking Up Is Hard To Do was re-released as a ballad in 1975, and made music history when it reached #1 on the charts, becoming the first song recorded in two different versions by the same artist to reach the number one slot.

During this time, Sedaka also helped to launch the career of the Captain and Tennille with their version of his Love Will Keep Us Together, which won a Grammy Award for Record of the Year for the worldwide, number one hit.

The accolades showered on Neil Sedaka have been numerous. Among the honors he has received, Sedaka has been inducted into the Songwriter's Hall of Fame, has had a street named after him in his hometown of Brooklyn, and was given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Neil Sedaka will perform in Oklahoma City at 8pm on April 25 & 26 at the OKC Civic Center. Tickets start at $25 and are available by calling (405) 842-5387 or (405) 297-CCMH, or online at www.okcphilharmonic.org.

The OKC Civic Center is located in downtown Oklahoma City at 401 N. Walker.

About the OKC Philharmonic: Tracing its roots to the city’s first professional orchestra created in 1924, the Oklahoma City Philharmonic was formed in 1988 under the musical direction of Joel Levine with the help of many civic leaders and corporations.

Staff report

The Gayly – April 8, 2014 @ 12pm