Neil Sedaka, the singer-songwriter whose bright melodies and soaring soprano made him a defining voice of early rock 'n' roll, has died at age 86. His family announced his death on Friday, calling him a true legend and a devoted husband, father and grandfather. No further details were immediately released.

Sedaka rose to fame in the late 1950s and early 1960s with a string of hits including 'Breaking Up Is Hard to Do,' 'Calendar Girl,' and 'Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen.' A key figure in New York's Brill Building songwriting scene, he collaborated closely with lyricist Howard Greenfield. After his popularity waned during the British Invasion, he staged a major comeback in the 1970s with songs such as 'Laughter in the Rain' and 'Bad Blood,' and achieved the rare feat of topping the charts twice with two different versions of 'Breaking Up Is Hard to Do.'

Born in Brooklyn and trained at Juilliard, Sedaka began performing as a teenager and continued touring well into his 80s. His songs sold millions worldwide and were recorded by a wide range of artists. Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, he remained a passionate live performer throughout his life, once saying it was better to be a working legend than simply a legend.