Dean, Frankie Avalon, Patsy Cline and ABBA were just a few of the literally dozens of artists that would eventually record material originally written by Neil Sedaka. But it was when he was performing his own work that he really shined, his good looks and twinkling eyes charming more than a few young ladies.

Sedaka was raised in Brooklyn, and from an early age showed an aptitude for music. Receiving classical piano training as a child, he quickly developed his talents. By high school he had formed a pop group, and despite some promising attempts at getting his songs on the air, nothing really caught widespread attention. His early rock 'n' roll songs did manage to catch some ears in the late '50s, though, including the songs "Stupid Cupid" and "Ring-a-Rockin'."

Sedaka's big break came after methodically studying what the top songs of the day seemed to be composed of, than making a song that sounded like that. The product was "Oh! Carol," inspired by Carole King, who was his girlfriend for a while.

It proved to be a major hit, and even today is considered by many to be a favorite Sedaka song.