Neil Sedaka, singer of Breaking Up Is Hard To Do, dies at 86

American singer-songwriter Neil Sedaka, who wrote and performed hits through the 1950's and 60's, including Oh! Carol, Breaking Up Is Hard To Do, Bad Blood, Laughter in the Rain and Calendar Girl, has died at the age of 86.

"Our family is devastated by the sudden passing of our beloved husband, father and grandfather," his family confirmed in a statement.

"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."

Sedaka, a skilled pianist nominated for five Grammy awards, also wrote hits for several other famous musicians in his six-decades-long career.

His family did not disclose his cause of death or where he died.

The Brooklyn native and student of the famed Julliard School in New York was a founder of the doo-wop group The Tokens in the late 1950's.

After producing several hits through the early 1960s, he later returned to Billboard's Top 10 chart in 1975 after writing the song Love Will Keep Us Together for duo Captain & Tennille. He also recorded several albums for Elton John's record label in the 1970's.

He wrote his first hit song with his neighbour while still a teenager. Connie Francis recorded and released "Stupid Cupid" in 1958.

Sedaka's popular music faded from the spotlight later in the 1960's, as the British Invasion era took hold of the US.

Speaking to the BBC in 2012 during a London trip to perform a piano concerto at Royal Albert Hall, he said he planned to give a show to people "who are not used to going to a serious concert".

"It's wonderful for the soul to be able to play classical music," he said.

"But to travel around, playing your own lyrics and music is a very rewarding feeling and I chose that, and I have no regrets."