Neil Sedaka’s Parents, Father Was A Taxi Driver, Mom, Eleanor Took Job As A Clerk To Buy Him A Piano

Neil Sedaka was a legendary American singer, songwriter, and pianist who passed away at the age of 86. His hit melodies included Breaking Up Is Hard  and Laughter In The Rain and he was known to captivate the minds of his fans with his pop hits like Calendar Girl, etc. Sedaka was born back on March 13, 1939, in New York, and his career had a blend of rock n roll music with emotional, heartfelt ballads that sold millions of copies. Well, beyond Neil Sedaka’s musical journey, his personal story is rooted deeply in Jewish heritage. 

Neil grew up in a close-knit family; his views were shaped by the immigrant experiences he had, and his family dominated his early years and shaped his values. Neil grew up in the Brighton Beach neighbourhood and was deeply immersed in a multicultural Jewish household that showcased waves of immigration to the United States. Neil’s parents had a tough time making ends meet, but they ensured that he pursued his passion in music. Neil’s family had a blend of both the Sephardic and the Ashkenazi traditions, as per a report by the Gazette Direct.com.

Neil Sedaka’s father, Mordechai Mac Sedaka, was a taxi driver

Neil Sedaka’s passion for music was heavily inspired by his cultural background. His father, Mordechai Mac Sedaka, was a taxi driver who stayed in the Brighton Beach area of Brooklyn. Neil, who lived with his parents, also had extended relatives staying at the same home. This showed that he had a humble beginning before he became one of the famous pop songwriters. Speaking of Neil’s dad, Mac, he hailed from Sephardic and Jewish descent. Reportedly, Neil’s dad, Mac’s roots were tracked to Turkey, where his parents had emigrated from Istanbul, back then Constantinople, in 1910, during the Ottoman Empire era. Reportedly, some reports mentioned that Mac has a Lebanese Jewish heritage, but it has not been confirmed.

Neil Sedaka’s mother, Eleanor Sedaka, had a Polish and Russian origin

Neil Sedaka’s mother, Eleanor Sedaka, reportedly hailed from an Ashkenazi Jewish background and had Russian and Polish origins. She had a mixture of Sephardic and Ashkenazi ancestry that had created a rich tapestry in the Sedaka household. It was there that Eastern and varied European customs had mingled with varied Mediterranean influences. Sedaka, in many of his interviews, has credited his varied, diverse heritage for embracing different music styles.

When Neil Sedaka’s mother, Eleanor Sedaka, took up a job as a sales clerk to give him a second-hand piano

At one end, Neil Sedaka’s father was a cab driver who had a lot of struggles to make ends meet. On the other hand, Neil’s mother, Eleanor, had taken up a job as a department store sales clerk so that she could buy Neil a second-hand piano for USD 500. This was because Neil had a keen interest in music, and the couple was having a tough time making ends meet. When Neil’s second-grade teacher, as per a report by DailyNews.com, revealed that Neil needed piano lessons. The parents of Neil took the words of his teacher-Evelyn Glance seriously as he had showcased an incredible aptitude towards music.

Neil Sedaka’s parents worked hard to buy him a second-hand piano

Neil Sedaka’s father, who had earned the nickname Maxi The Taxi, worked long hours to support the family. His customers had given him the nickname, Maxi The Taxi, and he put extra hours on the steering wheel just for Neil. For the unversed, the singer reportedly initially played Stickball, and once his mom got a job in the department store, they saved and got Neil a second-hand piano. The day the piano was delivered marked the end of the stickball career. Neil’s fingers were gifted, and his parents did not want his talent to go to waste.

Neil Sedaka once revealed how his mom, Eleanor, was always in the audience

Neil Sedaka used to practice on the piano for six hours and also sharpened his skills. He missed stickball, loved his music and never missed the same. Neil’s dad, Maxie, used to tell him to take a break, but he worked hard. He reached a level where Neil got the start to be with Dick Clark, who had given the singer his start. Neil in an interview with Daily News.com shared of how he was scared to sing at the beginning. All his training was as a concert pianist. However, he credited his mom for showing him support and always being in the audience. Neil remembered:

“My mother was a little leery about rock ‘n’ roll, but she said, ‘this is what you chose to do, so go do it,’ and she pushed me out on the stage. Fortunately, I had the goods. She was always in the audience wherever I performed – the ultimate kvell (proud parent). My father was a great guy, but my mother ruled the roost.”

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Also Read: Neil Sedaka’s Huge Net Worth, All About ‘Breaking Up Is Hard To Do’ Singer’s Early Life And Career