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Factsheet

• Received his first guitar on his 16th birthday.
• Sang in the Erasmus Hall High School chorus with fellow Brooklynite Barbra Streisand. The two would later collaborate on the duet "You Don't Bring Me Flowers" in 1978.
• Was in his senior year at NYU when he was offered a songwriting contract; dropped out of college six months short of completing to pursue his musical career. 
• Composed hit songs for Jay and the Americans, the Monkees and other artists before releasing his own albums.
• Was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on March 14, 2011.
• As of 2011, is No. 2 on Billboard's list of The 50 Best Adult Contemporary Artists Ever (Elton John holds the No. 1 spot).