Neil Sedaka on CBS Morning News- did he seem gay?

[LarsVenice]

This was a week ago, but he said rather effeminate on TV. Here's a quote from him, describing his childhood:

"Well, I idolized my sister," he said. "I loved my sister, Ronnie, God rest her soul. And I emulated her. I carried my books like her. I walked like her. She was an A student. I stood in front of a mirror, and I actually had to learn how to be more macho. I did it for survival, because otherwise, they'd beat you up."

I think he's straight - he's got a wife and two kids, and his writing partner of many years was gay and died of AIDS. Since then Neil has done benefits for AIDS foundations. I never thought of him as gay until I saw him on the news show, and I still think he's straight - even though he has gay vibes.

Anyone else see this show or have opinions about Neil?

 

[gabriel1]

I did not see the show, but read the article. I have seen Sedaka on interviews and I did not get a gay vibe from him. I do however know what you mean, but sometimes I think some people are really comfortable with themselves and have more a live and let live attitude, hence they might come across as gay.

 

[Mikey44]

I actaully saw him on American Idol, the year Clay was on. And I really got the gay vibe - big time! So I'm right there with ya... Lars Venice

 

[Ludlow]

I must say that he does have a slightly effeminate voice and manner, but that's not necessarily any indication of "gayness", of course. Having said that, I did think that he might be gay at one point- i.e. before I found out that he was married etc. (but having said that, being married is not necessarily an indication of "straightness" either, is it?!)- he seemed to me to be a sort of Liberace on valium (minus the diamonds, capes and sequins, of course). Am I right in thinking that his singing voice lies within the falsetto range? I think he has a lovely voice and he's written some fantastic songs.

A popular British stand-up comedian and chat show presenter, Paul O'Grady (he used to perform in drag as Lilly Savage) once said on his show that he was surprised when he saw Sedaka on television for the first time because he had previously thought that it was a woman called Nelly Sedaka who had been singing on the radio for all those years!

 

[LarsVenice]

I personally think that he's just very comfortably in touch with his feminine side - and he's definitely gay-friendly, since his song writing partner was gay, but then so was Bernie Taupin's song writing partner, and I'm sure Bernie is straight.

Neil certainly is a prolific writer, and he's written for people that I had no idea had performed his songs.

I tried to go to the Liberace Museum last month when I was passing through Las Vegas, but it's closed on Mondays.

 

[G-Lexington]

I think Neil is straight. He considered himself a "sissy" when he was back in school. That might indicate homosexuality, but to me, that just means weak and/or geeky.

Lex

 

[Joshua_me]

I think he's a brilliant songwriter, but it was always my impression that
he was 'one of us'.

I could be wrong, but the wife and kids thing doesn't mean all that much.

 

[springboksfan]

I think that's always been one of those things that doesn't add up. I think he's just one of those unfortunately effeminate-sounding straight guys. Either way, he's an amazing talent.

 

[scrapple]

I remember reading that some guy accused him of sexual harrassment several years back.