Los Angeles – Neil Sedaka, the hit-making US singer-songwriter whose boyish soprano and bright melodies made him a top act in the early years of rock ‘n’ roll and led to a run of success in the 1970s, has died aged 86.

Sedaka, whose hits included Breaking Up Is Hard to Do and Laugher in the Rain, died on Saturday AEDT.

“Our family is devastated by the sudden passing of our beloved husband, father and grandfather, Neil Sedaka,” his family said in a statement.

“A true rock and roll legend, an inspiration to millions, but most importantly, at least to those of us who were lucky enough to know him, an incredible human being who will be deeply missed.”

No other details of his death were immediately available.

A key member of the Brill Building songwriting factory, Sedaka teamed with lyricist and boyhood neighbour Howard Greenfield on songs that reflected the teen innocence of the post-Elvis/pre-Beatles era of the late 1950s-early 1960s, including Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen, Calendar Girl and Oh! Carol, a lament for his high school sweetheart, Carole King.

After a long dry spell, he re-emerged with such smashes as Laughter in the Rain and Bad Blood. The Captain & Tennille’s cover of his Love Will Keep Us Together was a chart-topper in 1975.