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CNN Live Today

Idol Chatter

Aired May 22, 2003 - 11:50   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR It is Ruben, the singer with the soulfully velvet voice, woke up the brand new "American Idol" this morning. Yes, he won. He beat out Clay Aiken to grab a $1 million record contract and a shot at superstardom. Legendary singer/songwriter Neil Sedaka served as an "American Idol" guest judge, and he joins us live this morning from Los Angeles.
Good morning.

I know who your favorite was, and he did not win.

NEIL SEDAKA, SINGER/SONGWRITER: Well, it was so close, I think it was a tie. I think both are remarkable singers. And it was -- I was very honored to be asked to be a judge, and have my song sung so beautifully.

COSTELLO: Yes, Clay sang a lot of your songs. But he was your favorite, right? Are you surprised that he didn't win?

SEDEKA: Well, I think Clay's voice is an instrument of remarkable beauty. Ruben is a great R&B singer with great licks, and I think both will have extraordinary careers.

COSTELLO: I know that you helped out these young singers through their performances on "American Idol." Kimberly Locke, one of the contestants said Neil Sedaka was her favorite celebrity judge, because he "hand charted his songs for us, music and lyrics, and had them framed. I cried. He cried." How nice of you.

SEDEKA: Well, I was very moved, because these are kids that weren't born when I wrote these songs, and they sang them beautifully, and I did write out the lead sheet, and had them framed for them. I wanted to do that. And this is -- I had dinner with Clive Davis, and he reassures me that "Solitaire" will be recorded by Clay, and I'm hopeful that Ruben will be doing "Breaking Up is Hard to Do."

COSTELLO: Wow, Clive Davis, that's a sure success for them, isn't it?

SEDEKA: Well, I'm hoping so. I think that it's wonderful. I'm being stopped by 10-year-old kids, and being asked for my autograph. That is something. And it's nice that these songs are being brought back, the intelligible melodic songs from the '50s and '60s. It's about time that commercial radio will hear them again.

COSTELLO: I know that in the final episode of "American Idol" last night, they sang one of your songs, "That's When the Music Takes Me." What did that feel like when you heard that?

SEDEKA: It was a great thrill. I was squeezing Lisa's (ph) hand. And to hear this once again after so many years done by an American phenomenon television show was a great thrill.

COSTELLO: So what are your plans now? Are you going to continue to help Clay and the others with their singing, or are you going to request another spot, a guest appearance on "American Idol?" Because you know it will be back next season.

SEDEKA: Well, if I'm asked, I'd be more than delighted to join the show again. And I remember Clay calling me just before he walked out to do "Solitaire" saying, what is the meaning of the song and the lyrical content, and what should I wear, and I think that, you know, the fact that they want to get into the song and the meaning of the song, the sentiment of the song, is very important, and I'm there for anyone who wants help.

COSTELLO: I want to ask you to sing a song for us. Would that embarrass you?

SEDEKA: It's a little early in L.A., but what would you like?

(SINGING)

COSTELLO: Neil Sedaka, thank you.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com







Aired May 22, 2003 - 11:50   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR It is Ruben, the singer with the soulfully velvet voice, woke up the brand new "American Idol" this morning. Yes, he won. He beat out Clay Aiken to grab a $1 million record contract and a shot at superstardom. Legendary singer/songwriter Neil Sedaka served as an "American Idol" guest judge, and he joins us live this morning from Los Angeles.
Good morning.

I know who your favorite was, and he did not win.

NEIL SEDAKA, SINGER/SONGWRITER: Well, it was so close, I think it was a tie. I think both are remarkable singers. And it was -- I was very honored to be asked to be a judge, and have my song sung so beautifully.

COSTELLO: Yes, Clay sang a lot of your songs. But he was your favorite, right? Are you surprised that he didn't win?

SEDEKA: Well, I think Clay's voice is an instrument of remarkable beauty. Ruben is a great R&B singer with great licks, and I think both will have extraordinary careers.

COSTELLO: I know that you helped out these young singers through their performances on "American Idol." Kimberly Locke, one of the contestants said Neil Sedaka was her favorite celebrity judge, because he "hand charted his songs for us, music and lyrics, and had them framed. I cried. He cried." How nice of you.

SEDEKA: Well, I was very moved, because these are kids that weren't born when I wrote these songs, and they sang them beautifully, and I did write out the lead sheet, and had them framed for them. I wanted to do that. And this is -- I had dinner with Clive Davis, and he reassures me that "Solitaire" will be recorded by Clay, and I'm hopeful that Ruben will be doing "Breaking Up is Hard to Do."

COSTELLO: Wow, Clive Davis, that's a sure success for them, isn't it?

SEDEKA: Well, I'm hoping so. I think that it's wonderful. I'm being stopped by 10-year-old kids, and being asked for my autograph. That is something. And it's nice that these songs are being brought back, the intelligible melodic songs from the '50s and '60s. It's about time that commercial radio will hear them again.

COSTELLO: I know that in the final episode of "American Idol" last night, they sang one of your songs, "That's When the Music Takes Me." What did that feel like when you heard that?

SEDEKA: It was a great thrill. I was squeezing Lisa's (ph) hand. And to hear this once again after so many years done by an American phenomenon television show was a great thrill.

COSTELLO: So what are your plans now? Are you going to continue to help Clay and the others with their singing, or are you going to request another spot, a guest appearance on "American Idol?" Because you know it will be back next season.

SEDEKA: Well, if I'm asked, I'd be more than delighted to join the show again. And I remember Clay calling me just before he walked out to do "Solitaire" saying, what is the meaning of the song and the lyrical content, and what should I wear, and I think that, you know, the fact that they want to get into the song and the meaning of the song, the sentiment of the song, is very important, and I'm there for anyone who wants help.

COSTELLO: I want to ask you to sing a song for us. Would that embarrass you?

SEDEKA: It's a little early in L.A., but what would you like?

(SINGING)

COSTELLO: Neil Sedaka, thank you.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com