Neil Sedaka, the hit-making 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 second run of success in the 1970s, has died.

Sedaka, whose hits included “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do” and “Laughter in the Rain,” died Friday at age 86.

“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.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation has announced a list of 17 performer nominees to be considered for 2026 induction.

The nominees are The Black Crowes, Jeff Buckley, Mariah Carey, Phil Collins, Melissa Etheridge, Lauryn Hill, Billy Idol, INXS, Iron Maiden, Joy Division/New Order, New Edition, Oasis, P!NK, Sade, Shakira, Luther Vandross and Wu-Tang Clan.

Among this year’s Nominees, 10 are appearing on the ballot for the first time: Buckley, Collins, Etheridge, Hill, INXS, New Edition, P!NK, Shakira, Vandross and Wu-Tang Clan.

Artists or bands become eligible for nomination 25 years after releasing their first commercial recording.

“This diverse list of talented Nominees recognizes the ever-evolving faces and sounds of Rock & Roll and its continued impact on youth culture”, said John Sykes, Chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation. “Induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is music’s highest honor and we look forward to celebrating the Class of 2026 this Fall.”

Nominee ballots will be distributed to an international voting panel composed of over 1,200 artists, historians, and music industry professionals. The selection criteria include an artist’s impact on music culture, influence on other musicians that have followed, as well as the scope and longevity of their career and body of work.

The 2026 performer inductees will be revealed in April, along with those inductees entering the hall under three special committee categories: Musical Influence, Musical Excellence and the Ahmet Ertegun Non Performer Award.

This year’s Induction Ceremony will take place in the Fall.

More than half a century after it set them on the path to superstardom, Queen’s majestic second album, Queen II, has been remixed, remastered and expanded in a lavish 5CD+2LP box set Queen II Collector’s Edition for release on March 27.

The Queen II box set will also be released as 2xCD Deluxe Edition, Vinyl LP, Vinyl Picture Disc LP, 1xCD and cassette formats, all featuring a brand new 2026 mix. The box set is available to pre-order here.

Queen II was originally released in 1974 and widely heralded as their first true masterpiece.

The 5CD+2LP Queen II Collector’s Edition box set features the 2026 mix of the album, plus intimate fly-on-the-wall audio of Queen in the recording studio, previously unheard outtakes and demos, live tracks and radio sessions.

The Queen II Collector’s Edition box set also comes with a 112-page book featuring previously unseen photographs, handwritten lyrics, diary entries, and special memorabilia, as well as memories of writing and recording the album from the band members.

“Queen II was the single biggest leap we ever made,” says Brian May. “That’s when we really started making music the way we wanted to, rather than the way we were being pushed into recording it.”

“With Queen II, I couldn’t believe how much work we put into it,” adds Roger Taylor. “I think we felt we were evolving our own sound. We were pioneering this sort of multitracking thing. It gave you a tremendous pallet, massive choral effects with just three of us singing.”