Neil Sedaka: 'I Think The Songs Will Outlive Me-It's A Form Of Immortality.'

Eighty-three years young, award-winning singer-songwriter Neil Sedaka continues to perform for audiences, and some of his songs are as relevant today as they were when he wrote them decades ago. Joe Scarborough sat down with Neil in Los Angeles to discuss his iconic career, ‘The Immigrant’ song, Rocket records, and more.
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#Sedaka #morningjoe #msnbc

[@Flywithdean]

What a kind gentle soul / a true legend of music history. One of the best.

[@brycelandon6387]

Not everyone in your audience is elderly, Neil. I'm 36; I've been listening to your music since I happened upon it in 2008, when I was 21. I was at a concert of yours in Bowling Green, KY in 2013, and I was the youngest fan there! I wooed the woman who is now my wife with your songs, and now my 20-month-old daughter is listening to your kids album from 2009, "Waking Up Is Hard To Do".

[@sarac.3259]

What a lovely story! We are big fans in my family here in the UK. Have seen Neil in concert twice, here in London. Love him to bits. He is still played on the radio quite a lot in the UK.

[@kennyjoiner2840]

Thank you Neil for all great memories

[@lauriethomas179]

I saw Neil in 76 for my birthday best gift ever. Love you Neil

[@brianingarfill1773]

Thanks for the GREAT retrospective on a GREAT GUY, HE'S AN INSTITUTION. I was taken back to "O Diana" I heard on the first "juke box" in Ireland in 1961 LOL LOL Didn't realize I'm that old-but I haven't forgotten the words?

[@cesimone2009]

Thank you Morning Joe for bringing a great legend back. As an immigrant too, I am thankful how we are the wonderful fabric to shape this country. This is a nice breath of fresh air from toxic politics. Much appreciated!! Don't forget to check out a song by Sedaka's duet with his daughter I remember hearing in 1980. 👍👍👍

[@sisterdoublehappiness9714]

Such a truly lovely man.

[@timbrooks3561]

He is an absolutely amazing singer/songwriter! He is the last of a dying breed! I actually got in touch with an individual who wrote three biographies on the carpenters. His name is Randy Schmidt. Randy told me that after Elton John got him back onto the scene, he recommended that he tour with the carpenters in 1975. Randy also told me that during those concert tours in 1975, it transitioned into Neil Sedaka being the headliner, and the carpenters being the undercard, because of all the amazing energy that he had, and all the amazing songs he had from the 1960s!

[@barbarahunter3478]

I love Neil Sedaka! Many wonderful memories! I played Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen for my daughter on her 16th birthday!

[@robinparr88]

Beautiful!

[@Reflectiveness]

With my highest regard. ❤️

[@James_Knott]

I started paying attention to music around the time of the "British Invasion", but Neil was still on the radio, with many others of that era. I also remember when he re-did "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do" in the '70s. I have both versions in my collection. I just put on the first version. Neil, Carole King and Paul Simon, among others, contributed so much to the music of my generation.

[@gailhasler8435]

Absolutely right 👍💯 from another fan. 👍🤗

[@jonathanlane4496]

Absolutely beautiful and talented man. He gave so much pleasure and enjoyment through his music. It’s a crime that he’s not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

[@rosemercer212]

Beautiful interview

[@spiritgover4223]

Always a class act. With an incredible voice. Which I wish the interviewer would have touched on. Long live Neil!

[@gerrymac70]

What a guy! I saw him in Glasgow in the 70’s and he still sounds the same. God Bless you Neil!!

[@robinparr88]

Wonderful wonderful artist!

[@Msflamingo-wl4qo]

People older & younger appreciate his music! Thank you, Mr. Sedaka!❤

[@normancanter6868]

what a genius and a real mensch

[@perkinssolitaire]

Neil Sedaka, you were my inspiration back in the 60’s and still I sing and play just nine of your songs in my performances on stage as a keyboard and vocalist, I hope you see my post where I can say Bless you for your wonderful music

[@JuneLynn]

What a great interview with Neil Sedaka....I especially love "The Immigrant" that Neil wrote for 2 reasons....he wrote it with John Lennon in mind and also my grandparents and father were immigrants from Italy so I always think of them when I hear it. I have Neil's comeback album, one of his best. Love all of this talented man's music thru the years. Thanks Joe for doing this interview : ))))))

[@TheLadsBandLive]

Neil, I hope you're reading this. Wanted to let you know I'm 53... a young, not "elderly" 53 😉 and father of two young girls still in elementary school. I grew up listening to your music at home and have passed my love of your music down to my daughters. We listen to your songs on the way to school, at least, a couple times throughout the week, along with all the other great artists from the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s. Thank you for adding to my life's soundtrack and I love your mini concerts (I just wish I could leave a comment on them).

[@sarac.3259]

Me too. He is such a kind man to do these mini-concerts through lockdown.

I had the great pleasure of meeting him in 2014. It was at the Los Ángeles International Airport. My children were on their way to México for summer vacation to León, Guanajuato, and he was going to Cabo San Lucas, Baja California. Gracious with his time in the waiting lounge, answering my questions about his songs, etc..... Talked to my children and even in Spanish! A very great hour talking that mid summer morning to a true gentleman-Mr. Neil Sedaka!

[@Midlife1992]

Not elderly, 53, and a huge fan of yours, Neil! What a class act talent. Thank you for decades of beautiful entertainment!

[@ABTSAPOSTOLICVOICE]

Neil Sedaka one of the most wonderful great artiste Singer and musician...May he live long life.

[@jmahoney9561]

Yes, I enjoyed your mini concerts during Covid, thank you for that. 👍🏽😊👏🏾😊👏🏾😊

[@perkinssolitaire]

Neil Sedaka, you were my inspiration back in the 60’s and still I sing and p,ay just nine of your songs in my performances on stage as a keyboard and vocalist, I hope you see my post where I can say Bless you for your wonderful music

[@johanna1622]

Yes, Neil, you are immortal. I met you in “Laughter in the Rain” and “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do” #2 when I was a young girl. I wish I could sing them as well as you. You are a mentor and inspiration to me! Johanna1💖

[@AndyMangele]

Neil Sedaka must be one of the most unassuming musicians that ever have walked the earth❣

[@maryperkins5867]

Wow!!! Thank you, Joe?

[@bigsong]

My brother and I have a permanent memory of listening to "That Twisting Girl of MIne" by Neil Sedaka back in the 1960s. Twenty years ago, I created a Detroit Cobras style punk version of the song and when I sought the license for the song, i contacted Neil Sedaka's office and his staff asked him about the song. His response: "I do not remember writing that song" I was told he wrote so many songs and many got sold to other publishers without his knowledge.

[@KCsun258]

I started listening to Neil Sedaka when I was a young teenager. I'm 61 now. Does that make me elderly? 🎼 🥸

[@RikKarDING]

In 1976, I was in high school when Neil performed in Manila, Philippines..... I wish I could have seen him live back then.

[@artvainio5431]

He is best , PERIOD , listened to his music from 1971 to this day !!

[@dianemarshall4272]

Love love love this legend❤ huge fan my whole life.

[@alexander3699]

Laughter in the Rain is a classic!

[@graceonline320]

Love Neil Sedaka.

[@ruthloebe6752]

Thank you Neil Sadaka. I was a part of that audience until right after you had covid 19. Then I had to get a new phone and got kicked off that Facebook account. I hated that. What really shocked and surprised me was that my son then came to me and said mom I have converted to Judaism. What a strange world we live in. He had been raised a Christian, went to war in Afghanistan and come back an atheist for ten years and then and we'll now is jewish. I believe he is confused on his true identity, but you truly know who you are and your music is beautiful and I love it. Thank you again and God bless 🙌 and your family.

[@phil4977]

I’m 56 so Neil’s songs were before my time however I love his music. He is very much like Elton John insofar as his melodies are so catchy and wonderful to listen to.

[@louiecolon9494]

Beautiful music was all he could produce. thumbs up all the way.

[@mrob75]

Living Legend!

[@jamescc2010]

Neil is One of my favorite artist with huge talents.

[@daonfpe]

One of greatest gifts of the musical world to the world! The way, Neil‘s song laughter in the rain just moves me.

[@markdanielczyk944]

Absolute legend! Hey Neil, not all your fans are elderly, I'm in my early 50's.

[@astheworldturns3855]

You are a legend.

[@oraculodasacerdotisa]

Eu não sou da geração 60/70 mas amo Neil que voz, que musicalidade incrível letras que parecem impossíveis de ser escritas nos dias de hoje.

[@jdsahr]

I grew up in the 60s and 70s, on classical music, and I was (frankly) a teenage classical music snob. Yes: such a thing exists. But in the late 1970s I accidentally heard "Find Me Somebody To Love" by Queen, and I realized that I had been missing out. Neil Sedaka (and Billy Joel, and others) generated what can only be described as "really good pop" which helped correct the stuffiness of my musical snobbery. I mean, seriously. You can weep at the beauty of JSBach's Ste Matthaus Passione, or Samuel Barber's "Knoxville Summer of 1915" ... but if you can't find a smile in "breaking up is hard to do" or "Benny and the Jets" then I really don't know what to do with you. And seriously: if you yawn while listening to Johnny Cash cover Nine Inch Nails' "Hurt" then you have really serious problems, and you should see somebody about that.

[@gailhasler8435]

ABSOLUTELY CORRECT ABSOLUTELY ABSOLUTELY ABSOLUTELY ABSOLUTELY ABSOLUTELY ABSOLUTELY ABSOLUTELY ABSOLUTELY ABSOLUTELY ABSOLUTELY ABSOLUTELY ABSOLUTELY ABSOLUTELY 👍👍❤️♥️❤️

[@jdsahr]

@@gailhasler8435 Don't even get me started on Barenaked Ladies, or the Beatles. And Schubert's songs ... oh my.

[@GrotrianSeiler]

What a legend. His lyrics are still amazing. A real humanitarian.

[@b.marielo9564]

Neil Sedaka is so talented. I hope he will be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

[@dottie2557]

I ;just love him.!!!

[@phyllanders9503]

Happy 85th Birthday Neil Sedaka. ♥

[@ramishrambarran3998]

They don't make them like that anymore ! A really beautiful voice ! Trinidad & Tobago. West Indies.

[@michaellovett1041]

Great singer songwriter Why can't the music of today be constructed in the same way.

[@user-ty6do8yz4l]

Heck, Neil has outlived most of his fans. The music will outlive us all! 70s forever,forever 1970s! Greatest decade in human history!

[@mick947]

What a warm, kind, compassionate and lovely guy Neil is, in stark contrast to morning Joe. Sorry but it needed to be said.

[@DavidPaterno]

Absolutely terrific

[@rhondamariott5059]

Great guy!

[@nervo6321]

What a beautiful story regarding John Lennon, I would place Neil Sedaka up in the highest echelon of songwriters and entertainers of our generation.

[@andrewhanson5942]

Good on ya, Neil! Yup, your creativity is immortal.

[@armandoanasco4452]

Es un icono del pop rock que ha sabido permanecer en el tiempo sin desvanecerse , conservando su voz, calidad y frescura a pesar de los años, es dificil encontrar un icono con esta talla en el mundo de la música. Gran rockero, gran baladista y Gran pianista. Sedaka eres eterno.

[@robinparr88]

Beautiful beautiful person

[@herbsaint636]

A beautiful person

[@adrinathegreat3095]

He almost constantly had hits in the UK apart from a few years in the mid 60s. Hardly a comeback when from 71-73 he had 4 songs in the UK top 40. Laughter in the rain was a slightly bigger hit making no.15 in the UK in 74, after that he vanished from the UK chart's. Different story in the U.S.

[@lefranglais1155]

Tiny anedote: Sometime in 1970/71 I was driving through the centre of a northen UK city, when I saw two figures holding hands run across the road between cars. They were both wearing big, ankle length brown fur coats - something unusual, I thought. I recognised Neil Sedaka but not the beautiful woman he was with. I later found out he was in concert that week in the same city. No, I didn't see the concert, though I have always been a Sedaka fan, being a youth of the sixties, the greatest pop music era ever...

[@artfulyama9071]

Should be inducted into R&R Hall of Fame

[@kennywatkins8762]

Way LONG OVER DUE

[@vogparis09]

Neil was another famous alumnus of Abraham Lincoln HS. Grew up in Brighton Beach.

[@georgesbrodeur9608]

Found you! Hi Woody. Your school was a source of incredible talent.

[@vogparis09]

@@georgesbrodeur9608 Something about the water in Brooklyn.

[@justayoutuber1906]

8 #1's in a row? wow!

[@barkatjaffer3983]

Good

[@Eloidevanda-so1ul]

Ele ainda esta vivo?

[@davidsonowski414]

Bad Blood 1975

[@Shrinksjp]

He also wrote the great song Fallin' for Connie Francis.

[@Paul-lm5gv]

I'm not a Morning Joe fan but this was great! Maybe he should stay away from politics and just do celebrity interviews.

[@67Stu]

WHY HAS HE STILL NOT BEEN INDUCTED IN TO THE ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME ⁉

[@oldtimer7635]

Is there somewhere the whole interview, this seems to be just a part of something....?

[@silvanaorizi5643]

What a beautifull jewish man and his voice is the same ❤️✨️

[@glenbo2464]

Look at what playing so much piano has done to his finger tips ! WOW ! He would have been a great drag queen ! lol

[@brandonhaygood5286]

I don't know why I laughed when he said zilch.

[@joboygbpedwards]

RIP LORI KLAUSUTIS.

[@brianr10]

I was expecting Led Zepplin.

[@BovisStercus]

Imagine Neil Sedaka, outside of Governor Greg Abbott's antebellum-style mansion, holding up a big boom box and and playing "The Immigrant" on full volume...like the dude on "Say Anything". (Greg Abbott's Statue of Liberty isn't holding a torch, it's flipping the bird.)

[@user-ik9mo8wm7q]

Did Richard Carpenter fire Neil Sedaka because Neil mistakenly introduced Tom Jones at one of the concerts when he should have allowed the carpenters to introduce him or was he fired from the tour because Richard Carpenter was jealous that Neil was getting too much of the attention ?

[@atomicflash1753]

Why would your property go to public domain after 70 years , what about your offspring ?

[@brianrobertson6338]

MSNBC loves them some talent from a minority group. He's celebrated because he's a member of the tribe and a supporter of the democrat party. Otherwise, they would just dismiss him.

[@shaystern2453]

hey it's joe interuppting again

[@josephjones825]

Must be an extremely slow Chinese propaganda day at the hate channel

[@michaeltudda8462]

Love Neil! Joe, is a putz top to bottom

[@markegan2480]

Love you Neil but lord why would you choose MSMBC to go on

[@io2503]

Joe Scarborough with his big hair and disgusting personality destroyed this interview for me. Gross.

[@abcxyz-nd6xh]

>>> It's A Form Of Immortality Fore-sight Fore-runner!

[@do-beebrothers2550]

The glory of the coming of the dark lord those railroad men 🧛🏼🧛🏼🧛🏼🧛🏼 freed the slaves? 🎩🎩🎩seems a mite out of character, you don’t mind I say so Rodeo 🤠🎲🎲🎲🎲 when I here that whistle blow’n I hang my head a cry. San FranCisco the China dolls under the care of Doctor Strangelove, surgeon general of the Dutch East India opium slave Company. 💀💀💀💀💀

[@Kate.922]

to all Biden voters...do you like paying way more for everything when it was all way more affordable under Trump? do you hate paying the high cost of medical coverage and knowing the dems are forcing you to pay for millions of illegals healthcare as well?

[@gailhasler8435]

I like Biden because he has a heartbeat and is a very decent, humble, honest human being. Unlike your Master, who is nothing more than hateful Criminal grifter and conman who will, hopefully, spend the rest of his miserable life in prison. 🙄🙄🙄🙄🖕

[@annek1226]

And this difficult for you? Staying on topic isn’t your “thing” I guess?

[@stuartb3609]

Yet the loudest complainers were those who ponied up $99 each for NFT Trump cards. Why is that? 🤔

[@Kate.922]

@@stuartb3609 whatdoes that have to do with my question?

[@yvonneplant9434]

MAGAs, dummy commentors, have forgotten about the pandemic which was a black swan event. They need to research it.