It is hard to imagine the history of rock and roll without the contributions of Neil Sedaka.

For more than four decades, with countless hit singles, and platinum and gold records, he is recognized as one of rock and pop music’s pioneers.

He achieved his first string of hits in the late 1950s, but his rise to success began even before that. Classical music shaped the young Sedaka. At 8, he had already begun his classical piano training at the Juilliard School of Music. By the time Sedaka was 16, Arthur Rubinstein voted him one of the finest classical pianists in New York City high schools. Classical music has remained a passion for Sedaka.

Sedaka formed a doo-wop group in high school, the Tokens, and they recorded two singles that became regional hits. After meeting a young neighbor, Howard Greenfield, they began a successful songwriting partnership. “We wrote a song a day,” Sedaka said.

Between 1959 and 1963, the songwriting team sold more than 25 million records. Their 30 year collaboration was one of the longest partnerships in music history.

Following the British invasion by the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, Sedaka’s record sales dwindled. He wrote for other performers including Tom Jones, the Fifth Dimension and the Monkees. He also recorded albums in Spanish, German, Italian and Japanese, with songs and instrumentation native to each country. In 1972, Sedaka re-launched his solo career in England with the album “Emergence.” Elton John offered to sign Sedaka to his Rocket Record label and re-introduce him to American audiences. The two albums he recorded for the Rocket label, “Sedaka’s Back” in 1974 and “The Hungry Years” in 1975, became top selling albums around the world.

In 1980, Sedaka had a Top Ten hit with “Should’ve Never Let You Go,” which he recorded with his daughter, Dara. His release in the 1990s, “Timeless — The Very Best of Neil Sedaka,” earned Sedaka another platinum album.

Live performances, often with a full orchestra, continue to be draw audiences in Las Vegas, Reno and Atlantic City.

Now Sedaka is returning to his classical roots. With original romantic lyrics written by Sedaka and set to the music of Beethoven, Chopin, Rachmaninoff and Tchaikovsky, his collection “Classically Sedaka,” earned a gold record in Europe. Following this success, Sedaka released “Tuneweaver” and “Tales of Love and Other Passions,” recording both old standards and original Sedaka songs with a jazz trio that includes the renowned jazz piano player, Andy LaVerne.

The Napa Valley Symphony Pops Concert with Neil Sedaka

Saturday, May 26, 8 p.m.

Lincoln Theater, Yountville

Tickets: $35-$110

Box Office: 226-8742