Billy Steinberg, Architect of Pop’s Greatest Hits, Dies at 74
Los Angeles, Feb. 16, 2026 — Billy Steinberg, the American songwriter responsible for some of the most unforgettable pop anthems of the 1980s, 1990s and beyond, has died at the age of 74 following a battle with cancer. The news was confirmed by his attorney, Laurie Soriano. Steinberg passed away at his home in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, just days shy of his 75th birthday.
Steinberg wasn’t a household name in the way the artists who recorded his work were — but his words and melodies helped define generations. From Madonna to Cyndi Lauper, Whitney Houston to the Bangles, Heart to Celine Dion and more, his songs lived at the heart of pop music for decades.
A Trail of Timeless Hits
Steinberg’s songwriting career took off in the late 1970s after early stints performing with bands like Billy Thermal and later i‑Ten, the duo he formed with musician and co‑writer Tom Kelly. Their professional partnership became one of the most prolific in modern pop music.
Together, they penned a remarkable string of chart‑toppers, including:
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“Like a Virgin” — Madonna’s defining 1984 smash that spent six weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
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“True Colors” — Cyndi Lauper’s emotional anthem and enduring pop classic.
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“Eternal Flame” — The Bangles’ tender ballad that became a global hit.
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“So Emotional” — A high‑energy Whitney Houston favorite.
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“Alone” — Heart’s soaring power ballad.
Beyond these No. 1 successes, Steinberg’s keen lyrical sensibility helped create enduring songs like Divinyls’ “I Touch Myself,” Pretenders’ “I’ll Stand by You,” and the beloved classic “I Drove All Night,” recorded by both Roy Orbison and Cyndi Lauper.
Life, Legacy and Collaborations
Born William Endfield Steinberg on February 26, 1950, he grew up in Palm Springs, California. After studying literature at Bard College, he gravitated toward music and eventually found his voice not in the spotlight, but behind the lyrics that would define pop culture.
Following his partnership with Tom Kelly, Steinberg continued to collaborate widely, writing with other composers like Rick Nowels and Josh Alexander. His later credits included hits such as JoJo’s “Too Little Too Late” and Demi Lovato’s “Give Your Heart a Break,” proving his knack for chart success well into the 2000s.
In 1997, he received a Grammy Award for his work on Celine Dion’s Falling Into You, which won Album of the Year. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2011, joining the ranks of the most influential creators in music history.
Tributes and Remembrances
Artists who collaborated with Steinberg or recorded his songs paid tribute following news of his passing. Cyndi Lauper, in particular, called him a “pure genius,” praising his emotional depth and lyrical craftsmanship — especially on “True Colors,” a song that became an anthem for love, acceptance and self‑expression.
Fans and fellow musicians alike celebrated Steinberg’s extraordinary ability to create songs that mattered — ones that became soundtracks to people’s lives across continents, decades and cultural moments. His work remains woven into the fabric of pop music.
Survived By Family
Billy Steinberg is survived by his wife, Trina, and their children Ezra and Max, as well as extended family and many devoted friends and collaborators who will carry forward his legacy.
Remembering a Songwriter Who Defined Pop
Though he worked behind the scenes, Steinberg’s influence was unmistakable: lyrics that lingered, melodies that soared, and an uncanny ability to tap into the universal emotions that make a song timeless. His contributions helped shape not just the charts — but the soundtrack of modern life.
Rest in peace, Billy Steinberg — your songs will sing on.