Songwriters Hall of Fame Inductee Billy Steinberg Dies at 74 After Cancer Battle

Billy Steinberg, the acclaimed American songwriter whose lyrics helped define pop music in the 1980s and 1990s, has died at the age of 74. According to his attorney, Laurie Soriano, Steinberg passed away at his home in Los Angeles’ Brentwood neighborhood following a battle with cancer, as first reported by TMZ. Soriano remembered him not only as a gifted lyricist but also as a kind and genuine person whose work touched millions around the world.

Steinberg was best known for co-writing Madonna’s 1984 smash hit “Like a Virgin,” a song that became one of the most iconic pop anthems of its era. The track topped Billboard’s Hot 100 chart for six consecutive weeks between 1984 and 1985 and cemented Madonna’s global superstardom. Steinberg frequently collaborated with songwriter Tom Kelly, and together they produced a string of No. 1 hits. Among them were Cyndi Lauper’s “True Colors,” Heart’s “Alone,” Whitney Houston’s “So Emotional,” and The Bangles’ “Eternal Flame.”

His career began in the late 1970s when he formed the new wave band Billy Thermal, though the group’s recorded album was never released. After the band dissolved, Steinberg partnered with Kelly to form i-Ten, a collaboration that ultimately launched their remarkable success as hitmakers.

Beyond his chart-topping singles, Steinberg worked with numerous major artists including Celine Dion, Tina Turner, Rod Stewart, Pat Benatar, Demi Lovato, and Carrie Underwood. In 1997, he won a Grammy Award for his contributions to Dion’s album “Falling Into You,” which was named Album of the Year. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2011.

Steinberg is survived by his wife, Trina, and his sons, Ezra and Max. Fellow artists, including Cyndi Lauper, paid tribute to his legacy and character following news of his passing.