Family calls the legendary singer 'an incredible human being who will be deeply missed.
"Our family is devastated by the sudden passing of our beloved husband, father and grandfather," his family said in a statement to Fox News Digital. "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."
News of his death comes after reports first surfaced that the singer-songwriter was rushed to the hospital on Friday morning.
West Hollywood Sheriff's Station personnel told Fox News Digital that deputies responded around 8 a.m., "regarding a medical request and a patient male adult was transported to a local hospital."
Sedaka first rose to fame in the 1950s and '60s, with hits such as "Oh Carol," "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do" and "Next Door to an Angel," and is known as one of the original creators of the "Brill Building" sound, a sub-genre of pop music.
During this time, he and his partner, Howard Greenfield, also wrote hit songs for other artists, including "Stupid Cupid" and "Where the Boys Are" for Connie Francis, and "Love Will Keep Us Together," for Captain & Tennille.
According to the musician's website, his popularity began to fade due to The Beatles changing "the direction of American music," but three albums released by Sedaka in the early 1970s caught the attention of Grammy Award-winning singer, Elton John, who went on to sign him to his record label, Rocket Records.
"It had been like Elvis coming up and giving us the chance to release his records," John was quoted as saying at the time, according to the website. "We couldn’t believe our luck."
Throughout his six-decade career, Sedaka received five Grammy Award nominations, had number one hits on the Billboard charts and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1983. He also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1978.
