US SINGER-SONGWRITER Neil Sedaka, known for hits including Laughing in the Rain, has died at the age of 86. 

In a post to the musician’s Facebook, his family wrote that they were “devastated” by his “sudden passing”.

“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,” they said.

They did not provide his cause of death.

Other notable hit songs from Sedaka are Breaking Up Is Hard to Do, Calendar Girl, and Oh! Carol. Sedaka’s songs sold millions worldwide and have been covered by a range of performers, from Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra to The 5th Dimension and Nickelback.

Born in 1939, Sedaka first came to prominence in the 1950s after a short-lived stint in band The Tokens. He had a series of hits over the late 1950s and 1960s, but his popularity waned.

In the 1970s, after several false starts, he returned to popularity with Laughter in the Rain. He continued to release music and work on his catalogue up until his death.