Neil Sedaka

• Genre: Brill Building Pop

About

Neil Sedaka was the first songwriter from the famous Brill Building bunch to strike out on his own and have a series of hits in the late 1950s. His career has weathered the decades, with No. 1's in the early '60s with "Breaking Up is Hard to Do," and the mid-'70s with "Laughter in the Rain." Sedaka's real strength has always been as a songwriter (usually with Howard Greenfield), so it is a little odd to hear him attempt to croon standards such as "Moonlight in Vermont." A message for today's teen sensations -- if you ever feel the need to sing an actual song, give Mr. Sedaka a call. He'd be glad to write one for you.

- Nick Dedina