Neil Sedaka has been one of the most popular performers and songwriters since the 1950s. He got his big break after he departed from his previous musical group, the Linc-Tones, and embarked on a solo career. With hits such as “Oh! Carol,” “Calendar Girl,” and “Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen” under his belt, it was clear that the world was at his feet.
Over the years, Sedaka slowly transitioned from teen idols to appeal to a more diverse audience. He never stopped making music and released his latest album, “I Do It for Applause,” in 2016. In 1983, Sedaka was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Johnny Crawford (1950s-1960s)
Johnny Crawford is another star who became famous at a young age thanks to the "Mickey Mouse Club." To be fair though, it was very long before Britney, Christina, Ryan, and Justin were even alive! Mouskateers of our time are nothing new, but Crawford was one of the firsts.
He later came to his own at 12 years old (!), playing the role of Mark McCain in the western series, "The Rifleman." He proved himself as an actor and a singer (five top-40 singles!), and his popularity knew no bounds. He led a long, fruitful career, and unfortunately passed away in 2021.
Donny Osmond (1970s)
How many albums has Donny Osmond recorded throughout his life? Try 60. That's right folks. That's six times ten. Quite a staggering figure. This Osmond brother also found success among his family in The Osmonds, the band that brought stardom to them all. Later, Donny also had a variety show with his sister Marie.
In the eighties, Donny released a solo pop album and also made a turn as Gaston in a Broadway production of "Beauty and the Beast." The Osmonds still perform together in Las Vegas, and Donny also appeared in the ninth season of "Dancing With the Stars," which he won!
James Dean (1950s)
James Dean's career was not a long one, but it definitely left a mark on the Industry. As an aspiring actor, Dean was a film extra before getting his big break at the prestigious Actors Studio in the 1950s. When people saw his talent in "East of Eden" in 1953, he officially became an icon.
His rugged image made "Rebel Without A Cause" a 1955 hit, but sadly, he never got to enjoy the film's success. At 24 years old, Dean, who liked racing cars in his spare time, died in a tragic racing crash before the movie was released.
Davy Jones (1960s)
Commonly known as the frontman of The Monkees, Davy Jones was actually an actor first. His fun attitude and good looks helped him get the part of Jack Dawkins (Artful Dodger) in "Oliver!" — the West End musical.
Jones decided to pursue a career in music when he saw The Beatles perform. He did okay as a solo artist, but things really changed for him when he joined The Monkees. “I Wanna Be Free” and “Daydream Believer” were the hits that introduced Jones to significant fame. In 1971, the band broke up, and Jones went back to acting until he passed away from a heart attack in 2012.