Neil Sedaka Quotes

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Neil Sedaka

Profession : Musician

Birth : March 13, 1939

I have a Baldwin in my L.A. apartment, a Steinway in my New York apartment, and a Kawai plexiglass grand piano in storage for shows. I still play for two or three hours every day.

Neil Sedaka

I worked at Mar-a-Lago for Trump, for some parties, and he seemed nice enough - but I don't think he's presidential. I think he's incompetent; I disagree with his policies, and I'm nervous as an American.

Neil Sedaka

If you have a passion for something, never be discouraged by anyone.

Neil Sedaka

I was driving my 1959 Chevy Impala down King's Highway in Brooklyn with the top down, and I heard 'Oh! Carol' on three stations at the same time while I was channel surfing. I knew then that I made it.

Neil Sedaka

As far as I'm concerned, all politicians are fake people.

Neil Sedaka

Much of my music is inspired by what I heard at picnics and weddings and bar mitzvahs.

Neil Sedaka

'Love Will Keep Us Together' was a combination of three different singing styles - Al Green, the Beach Boys, and Diana Ross. I loved all these people, and I put their singing styles together and wrote that tune.

Neil Sedaka

The hymn 'Amazing Grace' is so inspirational - I wish I'd written it.

Neil Sedaka

My teachers said, 'Always keep a Beethoven sonata under your fingers.' I always have. I still play chamber music, and I always play classical.

Neil Sedaka

I could have been bigger, but I wasn't controversial enough. I didn't do drugs or wreck rooms. There were no dramas in my private life.

Neil Sedaka

I think there are three kinds of songs; it's only my theory: psychological, emotional, and spiritual. When you write psychologically or intellectually, you have a tune in your mind, and you re-write it. It's an intellectual approach. The emotional is my favorite because it comes from my kishkas; it comes from my soul.

Neil Sedaka

I remember Pavarotti telling me, 'Oh, Neil, after seventy, the voice is going to go.' But I've been lucky. You almost have to learn how to sing all over again. You use your diaphragm more. You have to choose the notes and pace yourself.

Neil Sedaka

The Apollo Theatre was a difficult audience, and if they didn't like you, they would let you know. Luckily, they liked me.

Neil Sedaka

Tra-la-las and doo-be-do's became a Neil Sedaka trademark. I was the king of the tra-la-las and doo-be-do's in the '50s and '60s. But then when I re-recorded 'Breaking Up,' I started with a verse instead of the doo-be-do's!

Neil Sedaka

I am very proud of being Jewish.

Neil Sedaka

I like Manchester - I've played it many times. The people have a lot of chein, a lot of heart, and the audiences are very receptive.

Neil Sedaka

I knew I had a remarkable voice, but I was embarrassed because it was so high. But when I sang at my bar mitzvah, the rabbi was in tears. He said to my parents, 'He must become a cantor in the synagogue,' but my mother said, 'No, he's going to be a concert pianist.'

Neil Sedaka

I had talent, and I was hungry for fame, and you can't say I didn't get it.

Neil Sedaka

I actually started as a concert pianist. I had a scholarship to the Julliard School of Music.

Neil Sedaka

I have written for, very fortunately, some great singers from Frank Sinatra to Elvis Presley.

Neil Sedaka