Just days before he died, Neil Sedaka was upbeat and talking about the future, smiling beside his guitar as he mentioned the long-delayed return of Steppin’ Out almost fifty years after its first release. He liked to say his outlook was simple, “happy days and beautiful music,” and at the time, it felt hopeful.
In the stretch leading up to his death at 86, he was preparing to introduce that familiar songwriting to a younger crowd, getting ready to bring an older album onto streaming services. On social media, he kept counting down to April, posting clips of himself at the piano, still singing the hits.
Three days before everything changed, he highlighted the streaming debut of his 1976 album Steppin’ Out, the final piece of his Rocket Record Company trilogy. He talked about a “special anniversary,” noting that the nearly fifty year old songs would finally land on multiple platforms for the first time.
Over one video, where he cheerfully sang “Good Times, Good Music, and Good Friends,” he told followers, “Tag a friend that makes you feel like this,” calling it something “that’s always been [his] philosophy.” He also urged them, “Pre-save Steppin’ Out ahead of its release on April 10th, and get ready to groove to the ‘Love in the Shadows’ lyric video,” before adding, “I can’t wait to share it with you again.”
@neil_sedaka_official “Good Times, Good Music, and Good Friends” – that’s always been my philosophy! This track is featured on Steppin’ Out, available April 10th. I can’t wait to share it with you again. https://found.ee/steppinout
Early the morning he died, he was taken to the hospital after feeling unwell, according to a family source. Not long before an official announcement, he was described as “recovering,” but later his family shared, “Our family is devastated by the sudden passing of our beloved husband, father and grandfather, Neil Sedaka. A true rock and roll legend, an inspiration to millions, but most importantly, at least to those of us who were lucky enough to know him, an incredible human being who will be deeply missed.”
