Aired on Treasure Island Oldies – Sep 28, 2025

Despite a career that spans over six decades, multiple chart-topping hits, and influencing a generations of songwriters and performers, there remains an artist who is conspicuously absent from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame — a fact that has puzzled and frustrated fans and music historians alike for years.

The career of the artist in question began in the late 50s, and by the early 60s, he had established himself as one of the leading figures in the Brill Building scene. Partnering with lyricist Howard Greenfield, he penned and recorded a string of hits that helped define the early pop-rock era.

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Songs like “Calendar Girl,” “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do,” “Oh! Carol,” and “Happy Birthday, Sweet Sixteen” weren’t just commercial successes — they were foundational in shaping the teenage pop sound that became dominant in the early 60s. His voice, cheerful melodies, and deceptively intricate piano arrangements helped bridge the gap between Tin Pan Alley and Rock & Roll.

Despite this legacy, Neil Sedaka has been consistently overlooked by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Critics argue that his music is “too pop” as if craft, melody, and longevity don’t count as hallmarks of rock. But Sedaka’s resurgence in the 70s — when he rebounded with hits like “Laughter in the Rain” and a slowed-down version of “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do” — proved his artistry wasn’t just a product of youthful novelty. His 1975 album *Sedaka’s Back* was a statement of both resilience and relevance.

In 1983, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame for his efforts.

Among the hidden gems in Sedaka’s discography is a poignant ballad on the B-side of his 1961 monster hit, “Happy Birthday, Sweet Sixteen.”

Tragically overlooked, this ballad was inspired by Timi Yuro’s song “Hurt.” Its soaring melody and heartfelt vocal delivery showcases Sedaka’s underrated emotional range — proof that he was capable of much more than bubblegum pop. That a song this beautiful was relegated to B-side obscurity only underscores how much of Sedaka’s artistry remains underappreciated.

Neil Sedaka deserves not just recognition but celebration. He has never spoken publicly about his exclusion from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. At this stage of his career, if he ever got an inkling that he may be nominated, he might just reply, “Don’t Lead Me On,” this week’s Tom Locke moment in time and another first play here on Treasure Island Oldies.

YouTube listing of the song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoFuZ9PsNzw

This “Moments In Time” story is yet another example of a “golden oldie” or forgotten favorite that earned its place in the evolution of Rock & Roll.