die Billy Steinbergcomposer, along with Tom Kellysome of the biggest hits of the eighties and nineties. Emblematic songs of Madonna, Whitney Houston, Cyndi Lauper or The Bangles.
Billy Steinberg died yesterday Monday in California, after a long fight against cancer, according to Laurie Soriano in an article for Variety. Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2011 along with his writing partner Tom Kelly, he is considered one of the most recognized composers of the 1980s and 1990s.
Steinberg’s family has said in the media that “His lyrics often began as deep personal reflections, which transformed into anthems that millions have found themselves in,” for BBC News. “Billy’s life was a testament to the lasting power of a well-written song and to the idea that honesty, when turned into music, can outlast all of us.”
Along with Kelly, Steinberg co-wrote some of the most famous hits of the era, including Madonna’s “Like a Virgin,” Cydia Lauper’s “True Colors,” The Bangles’ “Eternal Flame,” Whitney Houston’s “So Emotional,” The Pretenders’ “I’ll Stand by You,” and Roy Orbison and Lauper’s “I Drove All Night.” In the mid-1990s, after Kelly’s retirement, Steinberg continued working with other writing partners, creating hits such as Demi Lovato’s “Give Your Heart a Break” and JoJo’s “Too Little Too Late.”
He also composed songs that were recorded by Pat Benatar, Tina Turner, Laura Branigan, Cheap Trick, Reo Speedwagon, Belinda Carlisle, Bette Midler, TATU and The Corss, among many others.
Steinberg was already famous before he began writing for other artists, as a member of the Californian rock band Billy Thermal, who were later signed to Richard Perry’s Planet label.
