Billy Steinberg, the acclaimed songwriter responsible for many defining pop classics of the 1980s and 1990s, died on Monday, February 16, 2026, in Los Angeles after battling cancer. He was 75 years old.
His attorney, Laurie Soriano, confirmed that Steinberg passed away at his home in Brentwood. His family honored him as “a visionary lyricist, devoted husband, loving father, and one of the most influential songwriters of his era.”
Partnering for years with longtime collaborator Tom Kelly, Steinberg created an exceptional body of work that helped shape pop radio and culture. The duo produced five Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hits, including Madonna’s “Like a Virgin,” Cyndi Lauper’s “True Colors,” Whitney Houston’s “So Emotional,” the Bangles’ “Eternal Flame,” and Heart’s “Alone.”
“Like a Virgin,” released in 1984, spent six weeks at No. 1 and remains one of the decade’s most iconic songs. It showcased Steinberg’s talent for transforming intimate personal experiences into universal pop anthems. Much of his work drew on his own romantic life, resonating deeply with listeners who saw their own feelings reflected in his lyrics.
Beyond his major chart successes, Steinberg co-wrote numerous other influential tracks that became staples of 1980s and 1990s pop. He penned the Pretenders’ “I’ll Stand by You,” the Divinyls’ “I Touch Myself,” and “I Drove All Night,” later recorded by both Lauper and Roy Orbison.
Born in Fresno, California, in 1950, Steinberg moved to Palm Springs during his childhood, where his father ran a table grape farm in the Coachella Valley. The region inspired the name of his early band Billy Thermal, a nod to the town of Thermal where the vineyards were located. He studied literature at Bard College, and his academic grounding in the literary arts shaped his storytelling style, setting his lyrics apart during an era dominated by synth-driven pop.
Before his breakthrough as a songwriter, Steinberg founded the band Billy Thermal in the late 1970s. While the group never released a full album, their music caught the attention of major artists. Linda Ronstadt recorded their song “How Do I Make You” in 1980, marking Steinberg’s first major success.
Steinberg met Tom Kelly in 1981 through producer Keith Olsen. The two clicked creatively right away: Steinberg handled lyrics while Kelly composed the music. They formed the group i-Ten and released the 1983 album “Taking a Cold Look.” Although the album didn’t achieve commercial success, it included an early version of “Alone,” which later became a massive hit for Heart.
Their breakthrough moment arrived when Warner Bros. A&R executive Michael Ostin matched Steinberg and Kelly’s “Like a Virgin” with Madonna. The song’s 1984 success launched the duo into the top tier of pop songwriters for more than a decade.
Lauper, who recorded several of Steinberg’s songs, shared her condolences online after his passing. “I’m so sorry to hear that my friend Billy Steinberg has passed away,” she wrote. “He was such a nice guy and very supportive. My thoughts are with his family, loved ones, and Tom during this sad time.”
When Kelly retired in the mid-1990s, Steinberg continued collaborating with new partners, adjusting his writing to match the styles of contemporary artists. He first worked with Rick Nowels in the late ’90s, demonstrating his ability to adapt with evolving pop trends. Starting in 2004, he also built a strong creative partnership with Josh Alexander.
With Alexander, Steinberg co-wrote JoJo’s “Too Little Too Late” and Demi Lovato’s “Give Your Heart a Break,” proving he could continue appealing to younger listeners while preserving the emotional sincerity that defined his earlier work. His songs remained chart contenders well into the 2000s and beyond.
Steinberg’s work with Celine Dion grew especially meaningful later in his career. He co-wrote and produced the title track “Falling Into You” for her 1996 album, which went on to win the 1997 Grammy Award for Album of the Year. Though the accolade carried significant industry recognition, those close to him said he valued his emotional connection with audiences more than awards.
His creative process typically began with lyrics, which he then refined with his musical partners. This approach kept emotion and narrative central to his work, even as pop music became more technology-driven.
The Songwriters Hall of Fame inducted him in 2011, acknowledging his extraordinary impact on pop music. The honor also recognized Kelly, highlighting the lasting legacy of their partnership.
In March 2025, Steinberg signed a global publishing agreement with Sony Music Publishing, underscoring his continued relevance and creativity even during his illness. His son Ezra also joined the company, extending the family’s songwriting lineage.
In their statement, Steinberg’s family shared that “his lyrics often began as deeply personal reflections, transformed into anthems in which millions found themselves.” They continued: “Billy Steinberg’s life was a testament to the enduring power of a well-written song—and to the idea that honesty, when set to music, can outlive us all.”
His career crossed genres and generations, with both legendary performers and emerging artists bringing his songs to life, demonstrating the wide reach of his songwriting voice.
Steinberg’s gift for expressing complex emotions in clear, accessible language made his songs especially impactful. Whether writing about love, loss, yearning, or devotion, his lyrics felt intimate yet universally understood—one reason they have remained so enduring.
He is survived by his wife, Trina, and his sons Ezra and Max. His influence on popular music remains firmly woven into the cultural fabric, as his songs continue receiving radio play, streaming attention, and reinterpretation by new generations of artists.