Courtesy of Billboard.com
Billy Steinberg, the lyricist behind a collection of pop anthems, has died at 75 following a battle with cancer. His passing was confirmed by his attorney. Just days shy of his 76th birthday, Steinberg leaves behind a catalog that helped shape the emotional language of mainstream music from the 1980s onward.
Working most famously alongside longtime collaborator Tom Kelly, Steinberg co-authored some of the most recognizable songs in modern pop history. The lineup includes “Like a Virgin” by Madonna, “True Colors” by Cyndi Lauper, and “Eternal Flame” by The Bangles. His gift for pairing haunting melodies with emotionally direct lyrics also powered chart-toppers like “So Emotional” and “Alone.”
Over three decades, Steinberg’s words found voices in artists ranging from The Pretenders to Divinyls, and from Tina Turner to Pat Benatar. His songs often centered on vulnerability, longing, devotion, and self-doubt, yet resonated across such a wide audience.
Born in Fresno and raised in Palm Springs, Steinberg initially pursued performing, attending Bard College before fronting the band Billy Thermal. His trajectory shifted when Linda Ronstadt recorded his solo-written “How Do I Make You” for her 1980 album “Mad Love,” giving him his first major hit. By the mid ’80s, Steinberg and Kelly had become one of pop’s key songwriting teams.
In 2011, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, cementing his status as a craftsman whose work transcends decades. Even after Kelly stepped back from writing, Steinberg continued collaborating, notably with Rick Nowels on projects including Celine Dion’s Grammy-winning “Falling Into You.”
Steinberg’s legacy isn’t just measured in No. 1s or industry honors, but in the way his lyrics became catharsis for listeners across generations. He is survived by his wife, Trina, his children, and a body of work that remains woven into the fabric of pop history.
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