Neil Sedaka Rock 'n' roll Survivor: The inside story of his incredible comeback

After hearing Neil Sedaka's interview on the Gilbert Gottfried's Amazing Colossal Podcast I sought out the book, which Neil endorsed over his own "autobiography." While it has some good anecdotes, I have to say it's not terribly well written and should have been better edited. Some stories are repeated and there is no flow. Still, if you are looking for info about the great career of Sedaka, you'll find this worth your time.Here's one thing that bugged me: Clearly Carole King has a problem with NS. I'm guessing it's because Neil seems to reference her a lot, not-too-subtly suggesting that he's the male version of Carole. I love Neil but I don't agree. Neither, apparently, does she. In the book, Neil's son runs into CK and she says to him "Tell your father to stop talking about me." That's an interesting and slightly troubling anecdote.

I am one of those fans, who came along about the time, "Laughter In The Rain"was released. I have been one ever since. I even joined the Neil Sedaka'sfriends club. I recognized the cover on this book instantly, as I own thatvery photo. Yes, I was that much of a fan and still am to this day.This book is full of hope and dreams, that can be achieved with hard workand perseverance. Neil never gave up on that. He had his eye on the prizeand with help from some very special people, including Sir Elton John, thatwas accomplished.This book is for anyone who has followed Neil Sedaka's work from his early days.This story is truly about, "The Real Neil."I found myself wanting to sing along with those songs all over again. They aretimeless, as Neil is timeless.

I truly enjoy stories about our musical stars, especially from the '50s and '60s. Most books are decently written; some not. At least, the basic story is told. Well, Rich Podolsky can take every other author to school. This man can write to the point where you do not want to put the book down. However, after reading Rich's book about the ultimate RNR survivor, Neil Sedaka, and his story about Don Kirshner, I have a serious problem. I cannot wait until Rich writes his next book. Not only was Neil's story very fascinating, but Rich told the tale in a caring and intimate way. Plus, no editing errors. Rich is a man dedicated to his craft and his subjects. Thanks, Rich and Bravo - twice! -AW

Nice quality book, large enough type to make for easy reading, good quality paper for those of us who love the feel of a book. For the most part the story was well written and easy to follow. I found the few editing problems distracting. After reading the book I had a better understanding of who Neil Sedaka is. The man with the great voice and smiling face had his share of difficult times.

Even if you think you're not a Neil Sedaka fan, you should read it. Neil Sedaka has been one of the most underrated artists in the history of Pop & Rock music. I'm very happy that there's a lot of attention in it, to induct him into The Rock 'n' Roll Hall Of Fame.Please also visit the petition : http://www.sedaka.be

I bought this cd for the song called "You". Beautiful! I had heard him perform it live when he performed on a cruise ship,

The author was perhaps a little too fond of Sedaka, but I learned a lot and enjoyed it. Thank you.

As a long-time Neil Sedaka fan, I was mesmerized by the thoroughness of Podolsky's research/interviews in this biography. Reading this made me even more in awe of what Neil has accomplished in his second go-around and since.

This book doesn’t “dish the dirt” as some biographies do, but presents a fairly straightforward chronological account of Sedaka’s life. Setting aside the book’s tendency for needless repetition and unfathomable mis-spellings (“Joanie” Mitchell, Harvey “Listberg”), the author writes more as a sycophantic fan than an impartial scholar. Just about every glowing review by a fellow celebrity or publication deserves to be reproduced in full and constant reference to Sedaka’s genius is reinforced, just in case we missed the point.Criticism is meted out to others, however: impresario Don Kirshner’s failure to recognise “Solitaire” as a classic song, label managers preventing Neil’s creative progress by insisting he continued to use a formulaic four-chord structure, RCA’s refusal to release his “It Hurts To Be In Love” single (subsequently picked up by Gene Pitney for a major hit).Every ambitious artist has a ruthless side but I was struggling to find Neil’s. Maybe he really is the nicest person in the world, but the text implies somewhat implausibly that every setback he has ever endured was caused by others’ jealousy of his talent, fame and success, like the Carpenters’ firing him as their support act, Elton John’s Rocket team inexplicably winding down their support of their golden-boy signing, and we learn that Carole King admonished Neil’s son in the street to “tell your Dad to stop talking about me”.I wanted more detail on his time at Julliard, since he makes much of his classical credentials, and there’s little on his personal relationship with lyricist Howard Greenfield, who he knew from an early age and who died from AIDS. We do get mention of Neil’s short-lived alcoholic period with Maurice Gibb, and of his mother swindling him, but I was left wanting more grit. Every bad episode Neil ever experienced always appears to be amicably healed in time.What’s clear is that Sedaka is a sensitive artist with the talent and determination to move beyond the pitfalls of early success, witnessed by his willingness to brave the grim English working man’s club circuit in order to keep working. His industry-resisted transition into a more sophisticated, mature song-writer and performer, created some timeless classics along the way, presumably leaving his detractors shame-faced.

I started this book knowing many of the songs that Neil Sedaka had written, but knowing very little of him. I still remember most vividly watching that famous Royal Albert Hall concert on TV, and reading this book has helped to put the songs (particularly The Hungry Years into perspective. I look forward to playing the songs of his in my record collection and recalling in many cases, the circumstances of their inception. This book did exactly what I hoped it would do; entertained and informed me of the man and his work.

I became a big Sedaka fan in the early 1970’s when he made a comeback with such notable recordings as Standing on the Inside : That’s when the music takes me ; Solitaire and Laughter in the rain - all now recognised as modern classicsThis book is a tremendous insight into the good , the bad and the good again career of a great songwriter who has stood the rest of time and different trends in popular music - I enjoyed it hugelyI have seen Neil twice in concert and this biography has filled out the gaps I didn’t know enough about - What a career !

Take's me back to the time when everything was great music lifeYou can not get enough of Neil sedaka he just great and the music just as good now as then such a lovely man he just love working for his family to have everythingShame that his mother made him bankcrup and he has to start all over again great read love it

Excellent history of a survivor