Upon hearing the news that Neil Sedaka died at age 86 on February 27, 2026, “American Idol” alum Clay Aiken issued a lengthy statement about a man he considered to be one of his idols.
Aiken, the runner-up to Ruben Studdard on the second season of “American Idol,” joked in his post that his mom didn’t come see him compete on the show until Sedaka appeared on the series as a mentor, when Aiken performed his song “Solitare.”
“As teen idols go, my mother chose a great one,” Aiken wrote. “And he was not only an idol to teens in the 60s and 70s. He was a mentor and idol to me as well. The judges weren’t always that easy on me back on that show. Neil was.”
Clay Aiken Says Neil Sedaka Was Incredibly Kind & Talented
In his heartwarming tribute to Sedaka, Aiken wrote, “He was one of the kindest and most supportive of all of the great folks we got to work with on the show. He charted, by hand, the sheet music to every one of his songs that we sang on the show and gave each of us a framed version. The copy he made for me of ‘Solitaire’ is still one of my most treasured possessions. He was generous and thoughtful that way.”
“He and his wife, Leba, had me over as a guest at their (giant) apartment on Park Avenue several times over the years,” Aiken continued. “Neil even graciously supported my fundraising for my charity when I did Apprentice in 2012. And every time Neil performed anywhere in NC over the past 20 years, he always reached out to Mom to offer her tickets and bring her backstage.”
“He wasn’t only one of the greatest songwriters in America, he was an incredible human, always full of light and joy,” Aiken wrote. “I’m so lucky to have gotten to know him.”
Aiken, who performed at a New York tribute show for Sedaka in 2007, told the singer-songwriter’s family that his “heart aches for you at this time, but it’s so grateful to you also for sharing your amazing husband and father with the world for 70 years!”
He concluded, “Neil, you were wrong. It will FOREVER be a NEIL SEDAKA song. I was simply blessed that you let me borrow it for a moment. Rest well, my friend.”
Fans Flooded Clay Aiken’s Tribute to Neil Sedaka With Memories
GettyMany fans of Aiken and Sedaka flooded the post with their own memories and to thank the “American Idol” alum for his endearing tribute.
One wrote, “@clayaiken i’m sure this one stings for you, sir! I feel like he’s one of the most underrated singer songwriters in American history. The great American song book is forever”
“Beautiful tribute, Clay,” someone else wrote, and then recalled, “I’ll never forget how moved Mr. @neilsedakamusic was by your soul-stirring version of #Solitaire – a highlight of your career.”
Another fan recalled that special moment on the show, too, writing, “That was beautiful written, Clay. 💛 I remember that moment on Idol. Beautiful, timeless songs. Gentle man. I’m sorry for your loss. He will be greatly missed.”
Beautiful tribute to a beautiful special man.