Commentary: At 76, Neil Sedaka can still take us back to childhood

Thank You, Neil Sedaka

On Sept. 20, I had the privilege of attending a Sedaka concert at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts. I expected to hear the songs I’ve always loved, but I got so much more — a trip down memory lane.

The concert hall was packed. The audience looked alike, all within 10 years of one another. We may have taken different paths in life, but we had one thing in common: We all grew up with Sedaka.

At age 8, Neil was already an accomplished musician, and was later given a scholarship to the prestigious Julliard School of Music. While he was writing and singing songs, most of us were still learning how to tease our hair. By age 24, he sold over 25 million records.

For two hours, we were 16 years old once again. Each song brought back a few new memories.

We were transported back to the days of miniskirts, pedal pushers and petticoats. Preppy boys in varsity sweaters and bad boys in black, leather jackets. Hairdos in flips, beehives and French twists.

Swooning to Elvis Presley, and rocking to the new Motown sound, unaware that the British invasion would soon hit America. Screaming to “Psycho” and laughing at “The Beverly Hillbillies.”

Songs were written from the heart, and words were understandable. Those were the carefree days of the late ‘50s and early ‘60s. Our most challenging problem was who to invite to a slumber party or what color headband to wear to school.

At age 76, Sedaka was something to behold. Perhaps a bit heavier, but his voice was just the same as I remembered. As he went through each song, he gave us a little tidbit of information.

For example, “Oh, Carol” was written for his girlfriend, Carole Klein, who later became Carole King. Yes, that one.

How many kids celebrated their 16th birthday listening to “Happy Birthday, Sweet Sixteen.” And how many girls shed a tear to “Breaking Up is Hard to Do”? Or had their first boy/girl dance to “The Diary.”

When he sang his ballads, I noticed couples exchanging glances and smiles. Perhaps they were reliving their first dates.

Our memories may not be quite as sharp these days, but many of us mouthed all the words to his songs, as Sedaka sang them aloud.

I had a few sad moments, wondering where the years had gone. It seemed like only yesterday that I danced to “Calendar Girl” and giggled with my girlfriends.

So, thank you, Neil, for a great show. “You Mean Everything to Me.”

TERRI GOLDSTEIN lives in Newport Coast.